This is probably going to start a big debate, but should I put my age in a query? I'm under eighteen.
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Query Question: Age or No Age?
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Don't ask me where I read this, but somewhere I remember reading it won't hurt to list your age if you're still pretty young. It could have been a certain agent's blog. Who knows, so don't take my word on this. I'm sure better experts will be along shortly.
From something I wrote before (links below go to agent's original statements):
Unless you're a teenager, age is irrelevant (Ref 13FF). However, if you are a teenager, should you mention it? Opinions vary on this; some think it shouldn't be mentioned (Ref 11h, Ref 26l), some think it should (Ref 14e, Ref 13l). If this applies to you, you'll have to make up your own mind... but remember, SOME agents are simply not interested in teenaged clients (Ref 31f).
Unless you're a teenager, age is irrelevant (Ref 13FF). However, if you are a teenager, should you mention it? Opinions vary on this; some think it shouldn't be mentioned (Ref 11h, Ref 26l), some think it should (Ref 14e, Ref 13l). If this applies to you, you'll have to make up your own mind... but remember, SOME agents are simply not interested in teenaged clients (Ref 31f).
I think that when I get around to querying (if I'm still even under eighteen by then, who knows >.>) I'll leave it out. I'd like my query, and ultimately my writing, to stand for itself and I don't want the agent to get any unintentionally formed prejudices going. There is the other side of that, that my age (14) is a novelty (in a good way) more than anything else. But if I was an agent, I'd be wary of taking on a client as young as I am. Fourteen-year-olds, on average, are not going to be as good at writing, or as mature and reliable when it comes to business dealings, as older people are. That's just obvious. Now, by the time I start querying I'm going to make damn sure I have confidence in my writing and in my ability to handle the hardships of the industry, but an agent will have no way of knowing any of this. So, I'll just not mention it until I get that offer of representation, at which point my new agent will hopefully be astounded in the good way.
Again, see what the agent/publisher wants. At 64 I probably wouldn't tell them up front if they didn't ask for it, though.
Normally, I would say no, unless it is relevant to what you are writing (Such as an AARP person writing a book about the AARP).
However, if you are 18 and under, there can be legal issues. In fact, you may not even be legally able to sign a book contract (or any other contract) without a parents' signature. There are national laws and state laws as well that may differ.
You should certainly ask the publisher, who may have to check with their lawyer, or who may advise you to wait until you are of legal age to publish. Some may not want to get involved in the legalities of the issues, especially if they find out later on that you were not upfront about your age.
Also, check you state laws. Call a local law college, and have them help you find the relevant information if need be. They may be able to direct you to the correct site, and help you understand the legalese.
Good Luck!
However, if you are 18 and under, there can be legal issues. In fact, you may not even be legally able to sign a book contract (or any other contract) without a parents' signature. There are national laws and state laws as well that may differ.
You should certainly ask the publisher, who may have to check with their lawyer, or who may advise you to wait until you are of legal age to publish. Some may not want to get involved in the legalities of the issues, especially if they find out later on that you were not upfront about your age.
Also, check you state laws. Call a local law college, and have them help you find the relevant information if need be. They may be able to direct you to the correct site, and help you understand the legalese.
Good Luck!
Tabb, you're probably right about that, but for anyone who doesn't mention that they're under 18 in the query, I'm sure they'll mention it right after they get that offer of representation. If the agency gets all huffy, saying that I should have been upfront, I'll have t ask them, "Oh, so you wouldn't have made the offer if you knew I was 14? But my query and my writing were good enough for you to offer representation, otherwise. Hmm, that doesn't seem a little like discrimination to you?"
Anyway, the legalities of it can't be that bad, for people with supportive parents. I'll just cart my mother around with me and she'll willingly sign whatever is necessary. -shrug-
If somebody was trying to publish something behind their parents' backs...well, that'd be another story.
Anyway, the legalities of it can't be that bad, for people with supportive parents. I'll just cart my mother around with me and she'll willingly sign whatever is necessary. -shrug-
If somebody was trying to publish something behind their parents' backs...well, that'd be another story.
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I don't see any reason to list your age unless it's relevant to what you're writing and I can't think of anything outside of a few non-fiction topics where it would be relevant.
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Yeah I'm leaning towards don't bother unless it's relevant. Many moons may pass between your submitting the query and signing any agreements. Heck, you could be 21 before they even respond.
-Derek
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My suggestion :
If you're under 18, it can present legal issues.
Over 18, screw it. You're an adult.
Over 55, only if you're writing for AARP.
Over 95, I'm happy you can put words together.
Over 105, I'm surprised you can get out of bed.
If you're under 18, it can present legal issues.
Over 18, screw it. You're an adult.
Over 55, only if you're writing for AARP.
Over 95, I'm happy you can put words together.
Over 105, I'm surprised you can get out of bed.
I think the question was only posted because Horserider is under 18. I don't there's a need for anyone over 18 to do so, unless they are not of "legal age" wherever they happen to live.
Horserider, if I were you I wouldn't worry so much. I don't think it's going to matter much either way. Some agents like to know if you're 15, some don't, but it probably won't hurt you much either way. If you're over 18, then it's certainly a bad idea to put your age in, but when you're this young, they'll see it either as 'wow, that's impressive in someone at that age' or 'well, I didn't really need to know that, but the query is excellent so whatever.'
IMHO
IMHO
I'd say don't mention it at the query stage, because even though agents say they don't care if the book is good (and they don't) the sad fact is that most young writers don't have the life experience yet to be professional level writers. A rare handful are, and you might be one of those, but to an agent, odds are you're not. (I'm not saying this ot be mean, that's just a fact)
So if the query is fantastic, it won't matter. But if they're on the fence, an agent might say no based on age, expecting the writing to be not yet there. With boards like these, writing a great query is fairly easy these days. That's not a perfect indication of your writing ability. So since most younger writers aren't ready yet to be published, an agent might just err on the side of caution as there are plenty of other queries in their stack.
I'd not say anything until the manuscript stage. That way, they already know your work is professional level, so they won't be negatively swayed by age. But you're being honest about a legal issue they'll need to know about if they want to take you on.
So if the query is fantastic, it won't matter. But if they're on the fence, an agent might say no based on age, expecting the writing to be not yet there. With boards like these, writing a great query is fairly easy these days. That's not a perfect indication of your writing ability. So since most younger writers aren't ready yet to be published, an agent might just err on the side of caution as there are plenty of other queries in their stack.
I'd not say anything until the manuscript stage. That way, they already know your work is professional level, so they won't be negatively swayed by age. But you're being honest about a legal issue they'll need to know about if they want to take you on.
I wouldn't mention it. I'd just make a note to tell them when their offering representation. I don't, but then again, I'll be eighteen in four months so it's nothing for me anymore, but I never mentioned my age. If anything, they'll be amazed with my superb writing skills.
If you're that good, the agent isn't going to let your age get in the way of a good thing. After all, At the rate things move in the publishing business, it would probably only affect the first book anyway. There's always a way to get around the legalities.
ETA: I wouldn't mention your age in the original query. Perhaps after the agent shows interest after reading the full MS would be a good time.
ETA: I wouldn't mention your age in the original query. Perhaps after the agent shows interest after reading the full MS would be a good time.
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My suggestion is not to mention your age in your query. You want the agent to read the book for the book, not under some kind of influence knowing your age.
However, if you get an offer for representation, or even a request for a full--that's the time to mention your age. They can't sign you without sorting out the legal stuff first, and they deserve the right to know that as soon as possible. Full request maybe and representation definitely, but it's not necessary at the query stage.
However, if you get an offer for representation, or even a request for a full--that's the time to mention your age. They can't sign you without sorting out the legal stuff first, and they deserve the right to know that as soon as possible. Full request maybe and representation definitely, but it's not necessary at the query stage.
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