I can't disagree with Michael's logic in that hypothetical, though it would be nice if that agent sent a quick email with that in mind. Perhaps a bit much to expect, but still it would be polite and professional.

The only place I'd disagree is where Litgal said that if someone takes a long time with your full, you don't want them as your agent anyway. That's flawed logic. Because you don't know why they're taking that long with your full. It could be because they're focused on their clients first, which is normal for agents. Kind of expected. For example, if an agent tells you they'll be 12 weeks with your full, but then 3 clients turn in manuscripts that need critique, guess who's full goes to the back of the line? And that's okay. Because that's what you want when you're a client. And really it's the only way an agent can work, because the agent gets paid when the client gets paid, so it makes sense to put the paying work up front. With that said, if they tell you 12 weeks, you're absolutely fine to nudge them. I'd just recommend that you be gracious as you do it.

I've been there with the personalized rejection where the main reason given was marketability. It definitely makes it worse in some ways because you don't feel there's anything you can do to fix it.

I don't have much more to add, other than the general that no author should be afraid to give a nudge to an agent if the indicated time frame is surpassed (excepting agents who say no response is a no, but that should only apply to queries, not requests). If an agent does get mad at you for sending a polite and patient nudge, then you know they weren't the right agent for you anyway.

I don't think I can add much of use beyond what Litgal has said. The indie publishing side of things -- and the marketing and advertising of independently published books -- is a challenge as well, to be sure, but at least you have a bit more control of it.

I certainly wish you luck with the nudge and with whatever the agent's decision might be.

You are right about that for sure--when they tell you what they love and still say no that is an ouch moment (and we've all had it).

Yeah, I think I sent out 70ish queries and got 4 fulls. However, after that I ran out of agents who seemed like a good fit, so I'm pretty much all out of places to try and shove this quirky fantasy unless I want to stick it in a drawer for a few years and try again.

Oh, I know, on my first book (which ended up being self published), I got 10 full requests and 8 were form. So, at the moment based on experience I feel like I have a good idea of when someone's actually taken the time to read the full request and offer genuine feedback compared to a stamp of not interested lol. One this time around actually commented on characters and scenes that they loved, which made the rejection a little more awful than just a standard form.

Litgal, thanks so much for your response! I've heard wonderful things about her as an agent, which is the only reason I'm not too concerned. However, I'm glad to know it is okay to possible reach out for a polite nudge.

So, my reasoning is this book has gotten 4 full requests, and out of the non-form rejection, the consensus is while the book is fun and enjoyable they aren't sure they are the right fit to market/represent it. At the point, because it is a little bit of a quirky concept (that'll sell to the right audience if I can find them), I'm willing to self publish like I've done in the past and work a more traditional book for my next project.

It is absolutely okay to close that circle. Honestly, that is a crazy long time even for a full. Personally, if someone tells me 12 and doesn’t reach out to say “it’s going to take a bit longer, okay?” I likely don’t want them for my agent anyway because a) meeting deadlines and b) good communication are right up there at the top of my list (and my agent nails both, always). These are extraordinary times so I can see asking for more time but just going silent. . . nope, not great professional behavior. I have nothing against self-publishing, and I am a hybrid author myself (traditionally and self-published) but I am curious, have you explored other agents? Because generally when you get past the query and the partial to the “full request” stage that’s not going to be a “one of” and so I would not be surprised if you had other agent interest. So maybe weigh that as well in whether to KDP it or keep pushing for a traditional route. Best of luck!