Craft Chat Literary Agents' comments and can I use them

[David Newrick]

Like most in this esteemed hall of literary endeavour I have touted my words round the entirety of the UK literary agencies. Most saw me as being beneath their contempt and didn't even bother to respond to my query and submission no matter how much I tarted up and teased the query and MS to suit their discerning delectation as great arbiters of art.

However, some dear sweet, lovely and hugely tasteful literary agents did write me a response. Their responses were quite complimentary and did show that they had read what I sent in to them. They like my tarts, but unfortunately they had lots of tarts already and I just wasn't their kind of tart (that's the last time I play the tart for them!).

What I was wondering about is whether or not I am legally able to quote the agents and their names/agencies on my website at the Newrick author website and in publicity? This is very much a ubiquitous publicity 'style' in the literary world that a few words by someone significant are printed on covers, opening pages, social media, posters etc. But does that have to be with agreement or does the fact that they actually wrote that in an email reply (for example) mean that I can legally use it with impunity.

 

[Vagabond Heart]

@AgentPete - what's the deal here?

 

[Sarit]

I don't know about the legality of this but in the past I have quoted 'studios' or "The Black list" (for my scripts) with their accolades etc. but never the person's name. But now I wouldn't do it just cause I feel it lowers my self-worth to quote someone who ultimately rejected me. Like you said---they are now discerners of great art? I'd move on.

 

[Katie-Ellen]

The problem with doing this is, that while tempting, it risks becoming the elephant in the room. Or an ouroboros. Those other agents may have offered positive or even fulsome feedback and encouragement. But they didn't say yes. Nor did they, unless they specified otherwise, agree to be quoted. Nor will the encouragement of Agent X favourably influence the decision of Agent Y, but it may, perversely, have the opposite effect.

@AgentPete may of course, see it a bit differently.

I'd only suggest, let your title/market comparisons do that heavy lifting. And if you have any endorsements for work already published, I see no reason you couldn't use those. Good luck!