I had to laugh this morning. After sending off my query to a literary agent on March 12, I finally got a response – over three months late. The reply was along the lines of a standard ‘reject’ – “Unfortunately, we are unable to offer you representation. This is a very subjective business, and another agency or publisher may well disagree. We wish you all the best in finding a suitable home for your work.” I rarely respond to such emails but, in this case, sent a link to my published book to show that it had indeed found a home. This experience got me wondering – if it takes an agency, or publisher, over three months to respond to a genuine and serious (and previously published) author, who knows how long it would take them to actually review and publish the novel? My advice is to avoid anyone or any business that displays such indifference or arrogance towards its customers. I had a similar experience with my first book – 3 WISE MEN. A store offered to hold a few copies and said they would read it and promote it to their customers. After a few months, I got a call asking me to come and collect the books. When I came into the store, the said, “Sorry, but we could not sell any.” I replied that the book has received great reviews, to which they replied, “Oh, we would like to have another look at it.” So, they had not read it and I was not going to give them the joy of doing so. I felt humiliated and furious. I picked up my shop copies and was pleased to shake the literary dust from my feet and left. I will never again allow this shop to stock my book even if it becomes a best seller.