I sent out my first small batch of queries including the previously mentioned one that escaped before I added the agent's name and agency. Not surprising, I didn't receive any acknowledgment from them. I did receive a couple automatic rejections from other agents in short order - so short, in fact, I doubt even a speed reading specialist could've read the first sentence of my letter.
I made a real effort to carefully research agencies, seeking to identify agents who were accepting queries and were interested in my Young Adult genre. I read and reread thru the bios of multiple agents and settled on several who seemed most promising for my novel. I sent my query to those agents' personalized email addresses. In one case, a submissions clerk sent the speedy auto rejection. I have no reason to believe the agent I emailed ever saw my query. Frankly, it seems to negate that across-the-board advice to research agents and send material to the right one. Does the "right one" even get it?
Several visitors to the blog suggested I try small presses, many of which will accept queries sans agent. Some small presses seem to be quite specialized so it takes research to find likely matches. So far, I've found a dozen or so that may be possibilities. So, the quest to get published continues.
On a different subject, I bought the Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus (2008) several months ago and find it the best and fastest to use thesaurus I've tried. It's available on Amazon.com for about $25. If you're in the market for a new thesaurus, check it out. I keep it within hand's reach when I'm working.
I'll continue researching agents and small presses and sending out more queries. As a diversion, I'm working on a new novel. I've written a good bit of it but my notion about how it should go keeps changing. I guess the characters are beginning to take over the story and telling me what they really want to say. I much prefer the fantasy end of the publishing-stick to the business end!
Let's get published!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Chapter Ten: E-Query Flying On its Own
I've flipped my sentences, shuffled them around within the paragraphs, moved them from one paragraph to another, and flipped paragraphs. After trying virtually every combination, I'm finally satisfied with my query letter and started the process of sending it out this morning.
I copied and pasted my query into the body of an e-mail with ???? as place holders for the agent's name, agency name, and the greeting. My intention was to personalize each letter as I went. With my very first query, before I could fill in the agent's info, the e-mail escaped. At first, I thought I'd just lost it but, indeed, it was sent. I inadvertently bumped a key and away it went.
If agents get annoyed with writers who don't spell their names correctly, one of them is going to have a fit when they open my query. Worse than a misspelling of somebody's name is a string of ???? in lieu of it. I sent an apology right away but I'm not expecting a positive response.
The lesson to be learned is something I remembered after the mishap. Copy and paste the query into a blank email. Do the agent name and address and check everything before typing in the e-mail address - let that be the last thing when everything else is right and ready to go. If the query flies on it's own at that point, it's okay!
I copied and pasted my query into the body of an e-mail with ???? as place holders for the agent's name, agency name, and the greeting. My intention was to personalize each letter as I went. With my very first query, before I could fill in the agent's info, the e-mail escaped. At first, I thought I'd just lost it but, indeed, it was sent. I inadvertently bumped a key and away it went.
If agents get annoyed with writers who don't spell their names correctly, one of them is going to have a fit when they open my query. Worse than a misspelling of somebody's name is a string of ???? in lieu of it. I sent an apology right away but I'm not expecting a positive response.
The lesson to be learned is something I remembered after the mishap. Copy and paste the query into a blank email. Do the agent name and address and check everything before typing in the e-mail address - let that be the last thing when everything else is right and ready to go. If the query flies on it's own at that point, it's okay!
Friday, August 27, 2010
Chapter Nine: State and Regional Conferences
During lunch a few months ago with Nancy Sales Cash, published novelist and friend in North Carolina, we talked about the importance of attending state and regional writers' conferences. We're both members of the North Carolina Writers Network and, in fact, we met at an NCNW conference several years ago. We've kept in touch and get together when I'm in NC. Not only do Nancy and I share our mountain heritage and love of writing but we both had the unique experience of living in Australia.
Agents and publishers like writers who join state and regional writing groups and attend conferences. Writers who invest time and expense improving their skills and learning about the publishing business show they're committed to writing - a major step beyond the folks who talk about writing but never get around to putting anything on paper. Being active in the writing community is a big plus.
Writing conferences offer a variety of services for writers. Workshops, catering to the needs of different kinds of writers, continue throughout the conference. Attendees make workshop choices at the time of registration. My most helpful workshop was about using details in writing. The suggestions of the instructor stuck in my head and influence many of the word choices in my work. My least favorite workshops were those in which the instructor threw out a topic for a short paragraph to be written in a few minutes. Since I write deliberately and edit things into the ground, this hurry-up stuff made me edgy. It doesn't suit me and I wouldn't do it again.
Before the conference began, I submitted a few pages to a literary agent for a manuscript critique. Then I had a brief one-on-one meeting with her during which she gave me suggestions for improvements and submission. A similar service, speed-pitching, gives writers a few minutes to present something like a verbal query to a literary agent. I went to a preparation workshop for speed-pitching but I'm not sure I'd be good at it.
I think I got more out of meeting and networking with other writers than anything else at the conference. Talking to so many talented and enthusiastic writers about their work, the dreaded query letter, and publishing was a great experience.
I went to this conference without knowing anyone or even much about how it worked. Unknowingly but very lucky for me, the first person I approached was Glenda Beall, Netwest Coordinator at the time. Netwest is the western division of the NCNW and covers the mountain area of the state where I grew up. Hooking up with this group made the conference so much better. I met a lot of people and made several friends - not bad for a weekend.
By all means, if you go to a conference, start meeting people the minute you arrive. Take business cards to pass out and ask new acquaintances for their cards.
Let's get published!
Agents and publishers like writers who join state and regional writing groups and attend conferences. Writers who invest time and expense improving their skills and learning about the publishing business show they're committed to writing - a major step beyond the folks who talk about writing but never get around to putting anything on paper. Being active in the writing community is a big plus.
Writing conferences offer a variety of services for writers. Workshops, catering to the needs of different kinds of writers, continue throughout the conference. Attendees make workshop choices at the time of registration. My most helpful workshop was about using details in writing. The suggestions of the instructor stuck in my head and influence many of the word choices in my work. My least favorite workshops were those in which the instructor threw out a topic for a short paragraph to be written in a few minutes. Since I write deliberately and edit things into the ground, this hurry-up stuff made me edgy. It doesn't suit me and I wouldn't do it again.
Before the conference began, I submitted a few pages to a literary agent for a manuscript critique. Then I had a brief one-on-one meeting with her during which she gave me suggestions for improvements and submission. A similar service, speed-pitching, gives writers a few minutes to present something like a verbal query to a literary agent. I went to a preparation workshop for speed-pitching but I'm not sure I'd be good at it.
I think I got more out of meeting and networking with other writers than anything else at the conference. Talking to so many talented and enthusiastic writers about their work, the dreaded query letter, and publishing was a great experience.
I went to this conference without knowing anyone or even much about how it worked. Unknowingly but very lucky for me, the first person I approached was Glenda Beall, Netwest Coordinator at the time. Netwest is the western division of the NCNW and covers the mountain area of the state where I grew up. Hooking up with this group made the conference so much better. I met a lot of people and made several friends - not bad for a weekend.
By all means, if you go to a conference, start meeting people the minute you arrive. Take business cards to pass out and ask new acquaintances for their cards.
Let's get published!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Chapter Eight: Record of Queries
During my research for ideas to make my query letter more intriguing, I've come across a few interesting bits of information. I can't vouch for their accuracy but they make sense so I'm passing them along.
One point is that almost everybody wants to write a novel and talks about it every chance they get. I'm definitely inclined to agree with this observation because it seems every time I mention to someone I'm a writer, I immediately hear a story about how that person's always thought about writing a book. An acquaintance of mine talked for years about writing a children's book. I suggested, half-joking and half-tired of hearing her talk about it, that she type the words "Once upon a time..." into her computer. Then she would have something to add on to, revise, and edit. Of course, those four words never got put down on a page and her book never got beyond the talking stage. According to one of the online sites I visited, only 2% of talkers actually finish a novel. So, I'm pleased that I've done what 98% of wanna-be writers don't do - I finished a manuscript. Congratulate yourself if you're in that elite 2% who started out with an idea, a couple of words, and persevered.
The other bit of information I came across is really worth considering as I go through the process of querying agents. Taking into account all the reasons agents reject query letters, one online source suggested sending out at least 50 queries - and 100-150 queries if I can find that many agents who work in my genre. I've always wondered how many queries are enough so this puts a number on it. Finally, I know. Since I prefer "overkill" in pretty much everything I do, sending out the max number definitely appeals to me!
Looking at this level of querying as a major bookkeeping issue, I have a plan for keeping records of info about agents I'm contacting. Searching for 100-150 agents is going to take a while so I'm sending out my e-queries in batches of 15-20. Being careful about whether I'm addressing Ms. or Mr. correctly and double-checking the name spellings take time too. Every site says to get the name right - apparently agents don't like their gender or names garbled. For that matter, neither do I.
I'm making a simple chart - nothing fancy - to help me organize all the info generated by my query process. My columns have the following info:
*Agent's full name and date e-query submitted
*Agency name
*Agent's response and date - form rejection, personal note, request for more material (the ideal response!)
*If requested by agent, date and description of material sent (# of pages, chapters, outline, synopsis, or full manuscript
*Agent's response to the material and date - rejection, request for more material, or that coveted offer of representation!
I can't tell you what a time-saver it is to have all this info handy. I'm using multiple online agent directories so I'll need to be able to check quickly if I've already queried an agent since some agents appear on all the lists.
Last time I sent out queries, I did so in several batches and kept "batch lists" - big mistake - the responses came back in random order so I had to check several lists to find a particular agent. I should've made a master list and arranged the names in alphabetical order.
On a more personal note, my nineteen year old daughter and I are leaving Saturday for a trip to Helsinki, Finland and Tallin, Estonia and St. Petersburg, Russia. Our primary destinations are the Hermitage Museum and the palaces of Catherine and Peter. I'll be living my favorite quote - "The world is a book and those who do not travel, read only a page." I'm expecting quite a few pages out of this trip...
Just so you know, I'm taking a copy of my query letter in case I have a flash of inspiration on the plane! As always, I'll have a legal pad handy for notes and ideas sparked by new sights.
Let's get published!
One point is that almost everybody wants to write a novel and talks about it every chance they get. I'm definitely inclined to agree with this observation because it seems every time I mention to someone I'm a writer, I immediately hear a story about how that person's always thought about writing a book. An acquaintance of mine talked for years about writing a children's book. I suggested, half-joking and half-tired of hearing her talk about it, that she type the words "Once upon a time..." into her computer. Then she would have something to add on to, revise, and edit. Of course, those four words never got put down on a page and her book never got beyond the talking stage. According to one of the online sites I visited, only 2% of talkers actually finish a novel. So, I'm pleased that I've done what 98% of wanna-be writers don't do - I finished a manuscript. Congratulate yourself if you're in that elite 2% who started out with an idea, a couple of words, and persevered.
The other bit of information I came across is really worth considering as I go through the process of querying agents. Taking into account all the reasons agents reject query letters, one online source suggested sending out at least 50 queries - and 100-150 queries if I can find that many agents who work in my genre. I've always wondered how many queries are enough so this puts a number on it. Finally, I know. Since I prefer "overkill" in pretty much everything I do, sending out the max number definitely appeals to me!
Looking at this level of querying as a major bookkeeping issue, I have a plan for keeping records of info about agents I'm contacting. Searching for 100-150 agents is going to take a while so I'm sending out my e-queries in batches of 15-20. Being careful about whether I'm addressing Ms. or Mr. correctly and double-checking the name spellings take time too. Every site says to get the name right - apparently agents don't like their gender or names garbled. For that matter, neither do I.
I'm making a simple chart - nothing fancy - to help me organize all the info generated by my query process. My columns have the following info:
*Agent's full name and date e-query submitted
*Agency name
*Agent's response and date - form rejection, personal note, request for more material (the ideal response!)
*If requested by agent, date and description of material sent (# of pages, chapters, outline, synopsis, or full manuscript
*Agent's response to the material and date - rejection, request for more material, or that coveted offer of representation!
I can't tell you what a time-saver it is to have all this info handy. I'm using multiple online agent directories so I'll need to be able to check quickly if I've already queried an agent since some agents appear on all the lists.
Last time I sent out queries, I did so in several batches and kept "batch lists" - big mistake - the responses came back in random order so I had to check several lists to find a particular agent. I should've made a master list and arranged the names in alphabetical order.
On a more personal note, my nineteen year old daughter and I are leaving Saturday for a trip to Helsinki, Finland and Tallin, Estonia and St. Petersburg, Russia. Our primary destinations are the Hermitage Museum and the palaces of Catherine and Peter. I'll be living my favorite quote - "The world is a book and those who do not travel, read only a page." I'm expecting quite a few pages out of this trip...
Just so you know, I'm taking a copy of my query letter in case I have a flash of inspiration on the plane! As always, I'll have a legal pad handy for notes and ideas sparked by new sights.
Let's get published!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Chapter Seven: Using Print or Online Guides
I’m ready to start selecting literary agents to query about representing my Young Adult Mystery. This is an exciting milestone in the journey I began when I typed the opening sentence of my novel onto a blank screen. I’ve written, edited, and rewritten my manuscript uncountable times. Changing a word here or adding a word there, a tendency I have trouble overcoming, isn’t going to make any significant difference in its publishing prospects - it’s time to send it out into the world.
Now that I’m ready to look for agents, I have to choose between doing my agent search in book form or online. The 2011 Writer's Market and 2011 Guide to Literary Agents are on sale now. 2011 Hermann’s Guide to Publishers, Editors, and Literary Agents will be available October 1. Generally considered three of the best book guides, each is around $20 on Amazon.com. If you go the book route, one should be sufficient. I strongly recommend you take time to check them out at a bookstore or library before you buy because some index agents by name only, not by the kind of material they represent (Romance, Science Fiction, etc.). Skimming through hundreds of agent write-ups looking for one that’s interested in Young Adult zones me out.
Since I don’t have the patience to read through book guides, I'm using online agent databases. The quality, quantity, and scope of these directories are pretty amazing.
Free to use and so easy to navigate, I'm starting with AgentQuery, WritersNet, QueryTracker, and 1000 Literary Agents. These offer a wealth of information about agents, publishing, writing query letters, manuscript formatting, submission protocols, scams, and royalties. Determining which agent handles what type of material is as simple as typing in the genre of my novel. Some provide services to track queries, provide data about agents’ responses, and offer forums for writers to exchange information.
Others sites such as WritersMarket.com, PublishersMarketplace.com, and LiteraryMarketplace.com offer similar, sometimes even more, information but require subscriptions. Generally, the fees are quite reasonable and memberships are available by the week or month. I tried PublishersMarketplace.com in my previous attempt to find an agent and found the key to getting my dollar’s worth was being ready to search when I joined, identifying and making a list of agents who interested me, and canceling my membership as soon as I finished. This time, I'm going with the free directories and keeping the fee-charging ones as back-ups.
Most books and online directories make an effort to vet the agents they list. However, that doesn’t guarantee that a scammer doesn’t slither into the listings so precaution is in order. As I’m selecting my first batch of agents to query, I go to each agent’s website to determine if he/she belongs to AAR as well as to familiarize myself with the agent’s query guidelines and follow them. Sending the wrong kind of material to the wrong agent the wrong way wastes my time. That approach guarantees me a negative response or no response.
I'm going with e-queries because they're so fast and hassle-free. Most agents accept them now and their submission guidelines clearly state if they do. Since most agents specify they want material in the body of the email, don't send attachments unless specifically asked to do so.
The processes of writing/perfecting a query letter and selecting agents to query are time-consuming and slow. As much as I want to rush to the end of this, I need to be deliberate and give this as much thought and research as it takes.
Let’s get published!
Now that I’m ready to look for agents, I have to choose between doing my agent search in book form or online. The 2011 Writer's Market and 2011 Guide to Literary Agents are on sale now. 2011 Hermann’s Guide to Publishers, Editors, and Literary Agents will be available October 1. Generally considered three of the best book guides, each is around $20 on Amazon.com. If you go the book route, one should be sufficient. I strongly recommend you take time to check them out at a bookstore or library before you buy because some index agents by name only, not by the kind of material they represent (Romance, Science Fiction, etc.). Skimming through hundreds of agent write-ups looking for one that’s interested in Young Adult zones me out.
Since I don’t have the patience to read through book guides, I'm using online agent databases. The quality, quantity, and scope of these directories are pretty amazing.
Free to use and so easy to navigate, I'm starting with AgentQuery, WritersNet, QueryTracker, and 1000 Literary Agents. These offer a wealth of information about agents, publishing, writing query letters, manuscript formatting, submission protocols, scams, and royalties. Determining which agent handles what type of material is as simple as typing in the genre of my novel. Some provide services to track queries, provide data about agents’ responses, and offer forums for writers to exchange information.
Others sites such as WritersMarket.com, PublishersMarketplace.com, and LiteraryMarketplace.com offer similar, sometimes even more, information but require subscriptions. Generally, the fees are quite reasonable and memberships are available by the week or month. I tried PublishersMarketplace.com in my previous attempt to find an agent and found the key to getting my dollar’s worth was being ready to search when I joined, identifying and making a list of agents who interested me, and canceling my membership as soon as I finished. This time, I'm going with the free directories and keeping the fee-charging ones as back-ups.
Most books and online directories make an effort to vet the agents they list. However, that doesn’t guarantee that a scammer doesn’t slither into the listings so precaution is in order. As I’m selecting my first batch of agents to query, I go to each agent’s website to determine if he/she belongs to AAR as well as to familiarize myself with the agent’s query guidelines and follow them. Sending the wrong kind of material to the wrong agent the wrong way wastes my time. That approach guarantees me a negative response or no response.
I'm going with e-queries because they're so fast and hassle-free. Most agents accept them now and their submission guidelines clearly state if they do. Since most agents specify they want material in the body of the email, don't send attachments unless specifically asked to do so.
The processes of writing/perfecting a query letter and selecting agents to query are time-consuming and slow. As much as I want to rush to the end of this, I need to be deliberate and give this as much thought and research as it takes.
Let’s get published!
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