In a world where, “I follow you on Twitter,” does not indicate a stalker, where agents and editors can be “friended” on Facebook and MySpace and where everyone in the world can be “Googled,” it may seem as though there are no boundaries. We’re all just one big happy family, and you can dash an e-mail off to the pros just like you can your BFF. Not so! There is still an etiquette, there are still boundaries and procedures, and while doing your research means you’ll be targeting the right people with your work, it should not get to the point where you feel you know them so well you can bypass those procedures. Remember, they don’t necessarily know you. Just as you wouldn’t send a resume to a potential employer’s personal e-mail address or home, you shouldn’t send a query to an agent or editor’s non-business account or even their direct business account if their guidelines say there’s a separate address that should be used for queries. It’s very possible that contact made in the wrong way is deleted unread or even automatically by the pro’s spam filter.
You wouldn’t say to a potential employer, “You dude, I’m a hard worker. Pick me!” Likewise, your query letter shouldn’t be so informal. (No, I’m not suggesting that agents or editors are employers, but you are trying to establish a business relationship and should be professional in your approach.) I’ve posted dos and don’ts on my blog before (here), but here are a few more:
-don’t call the agent or editor by his or her first name unless you’re truly on a first name basis
-spend at least as much time on your query letter as you would on a cover letter to go along with your resume
-spell check and proof read
-make sure you’re following guidelines and do not direct the pros to a separate website to view your work; everything we need to make a decision should be included with your query
-be sure the pro can respond to the e-mail address you’ve used if sending an electronic query (Note: this seems obvious, but I’ve had responses bounce because the address is no reply or because there’s an anti-spam process I’m not going to take the time to complete.)
There’s been a lot of good advice given this week (discovered via Twitter). Here are some of the links:
Lauren Dane – how authors should respond to rejection
Jennifer Jackson (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
arcaedia ) – on queries
Richelle Gardner – how not to get an agent
Most writers I know have more ideas than time to write them, so they're certainly not looking to steal from others. In fact, the most dreaded conversation starter for a writer is "I have this idea, maybe you want to write it," because, of course, the writing and execution are the most time and energy intensive parts of creation. (Just added to this post on 3/31: link to an article by Book Marketing Floozy that covers this as well.) Not that brilliant ideas necessarily grow on trees. How many times have you seen a show or read a book and thought, "Darn, that was MY idea?" Well, it really is true that there are no absolutely new ideas under the sun. What makes a novel or series unique is the way that ideas are combined and voiced. Which is why one superpowered hero flying around in cape and tights doesn't cancel out all others. And what a writer will gain by sharing their work with others and getting feedback is absolutely invaluable.
Likewise, agents and editors receive so many queries that if we don't love something we read, we instantly move on to the next. Novels and series have to really blow us away for serious consideration. We're working at hyperspeed day after day just to critique and hone the projects we're already committed to; we're not looking for more work with novels that didn't fire us up enough to represent.
Later - anthologies.
Coda to this: I've posed here before about how to query, which is through the submissions@knightagency.net address and not through my author website or LJ. If you've met me at a conference or have been referred by one of my writers and I gave you some other way to contact me, that's fine, but I check my different e-mails at different times with different mindsets and agenting business should go through my professional address. Many thanks.
GENERAL QUERY DOS AND DON’TS:
-The query letter is basically an introduction to the
-The query should tell the agent/editor something about you,
-It should be written by the writer (not your secretary, mother, best friend, fictional protagonist, etc.).
-This is an agent/editor’s first introduction to your work. Do not rush it through the door without careful proofreading. Standard mistakes often seen: typos, mistaking the agent/editor’s name or sex (a Mr. instead of a Ms.), mixing up letters and envelopes so that one agent/editor receives a letter meant for another. Do what research you can to target the right person at each agency or publishing house.
-Check an agency's website for submission guidelines and then follow them!
-For hardcopy submissions, always include a self-addressed stamped envelope (stamped, no meter strips) for the response even if you don’t want the material returned. In case the SASE gets separated from the query, your address and manuscript title should be included in your cover letter. Your name and the title should appear on each page of a manuscript or synopsis.
-This may seem obvious, but make sure you've put enough postage on your submission that it actually gets to its destination. When I took hardcopy submissions, I received at least four a week with postage due. The agency won't pay your postage. Also, if you want delivery confirmation, pay for it. Don't call or e-mail the agent to ask whether your query is among the 200-300 they received that month.
-Arrogance is a turn off. Do not suppose that your first novel will break all sales records and become a blockbuster movie. While this does happen on occasion, it is rare and an agent/editor does not want to take on someone they suspect will have unrealistic expectations and thus be difficult to work with.
-Do not use an unreadable font because you think it is interesting and different. Do not use neon paper or stationary with busy backgrounds. Everyone in the field has troublesome eyesight due to squinting at so much small type. The more work the professional has to do, the greater the chance that your work will be put aside.
-Synopses may be single-spaced, but manuscripts should be unbound, double-spaced, 12 point type and printed on only one side of a page. The manuscript title and author’s last name should appear at the top of each page. All pages should be numbered. (Note: be sure that the length of your manuscript is appropriate for the genre in which you’re writing.)
-Allow humor to show through, but don’t try to get too cutesy with your queries. [You may laugh, but I know editors who have received plastic fish (plural) and other oddities from aspiring writers who thought that this would be a unique way to approach editors.]
-Do not put down other writers of your genre. Remember that the agents you’re approaching should love the genre in which you write and will only be offended by disparaging comments about your peers. By the same token, you should not put down other professionals who have declined your work or include previous rejection letters, no matter how complimentary they were.
-It’s not a good idea to query on many books at one time. While you may want to let an agent/editor know that you’ve got more than one novel in you, it’s best to choose one book on which to focus. While many successful writers were first published several manuscripts down the line, it will not give the best impression.
-Do not send a letter encouraging an agent or editor to go visit a website to read your submission. We have too many queries awaiting our attention to go looking for work.
-Don’t try to rush the agent/editor along with a line like “I look forward to your speedy response.” Rejection takes much less time than a careful read.
Query Etiquette
-Do mention if it's a simultaneous submission. At the query letter stage this is expected, but at the partial or full manuscript stage, the status should definitely be disclosed. It's good manners and can hurt your chances with an agent if we find out later what we should have known up front. In addition, if you sign with an agent, do the other agents looking at your work the courtesy of letting them know right away so they don't spend their limited time reading something that's no longer available.
-If an agent or editor spends significant time commenting on your work, give him or her the courtesy of a first look at the revision should you decide to revise.
In Closing
-All this aside, remember that an agent is looking for good material. One of the most exciting things about our job is finding new talent. The above aren't meant to be discouraging but simply to give you the best chance of standing out in the right way.
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