Addressing agents in Queries

Proach · Jan 7, 2010

Ok, I have another question, when it comes to querying female agents.
There is no way of knowing their marriage status, so what would be the best way to address them? Mrs. or Miss, or Ms.?, or is it alright to address them by their first name?

Thanks

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Deanna's Online Writing

kuwisdelu · Jan 7, 2010

Many agents blog, and if you look, many times you can find out what they prefer there.

Personally I'd either use the full name or Ms. if unsure.

ChaosTitan · Jan 7, 2010

Proper etiquette for titling is always "Ms." But yeah, go with their preference.

virtue_summer · Jan 7, 2010

I always use Ms. I figure it makes the least assumptions. Then again, that's just me.

Proach · Jan 7, 2010

Hi all, thanks again for the advice.

________________
Deanna's Online Writing

ChaosTitan · Jan 7, 2010

Also, if you're going to use a Mr./Ms. title, make sure you're positive about it. Back in my very early querying days, I am embarrassed to admit I queried Ashley Grayson as "Ms." because I assumed without checking.

kuwisdelu · Jan 7, 2010

ChaosTitan said:
Also, if you're going to use a Mr./Ms. title, make sure you're positive about it. Back in my very early querying days, I am embarrassed to admit I queried Ashley Grayson as "Ms." because I assumed without checking.

Heh, this is a very good point to remember.

OctoberLee · Jan 7, 2010

Ah! I've always wanted to meet a guy named "Ashley". Like the unicorn, I won't believe they exist until I meet one =D

bclement412 · Jan 7, 2010

I use Ms. unless I'm unsure of their gender, and when that happens, I just say "Dear FirstName Lastname".

YAwriter72 · Jan 7, 2010

ChaosTitan said:
Also, if you're going to use a Mr./Ms. title, make sure you're positive about it. Back in my very early querying days, I am embarrassed to admit I queried Ashley Grayson as "Ms." because I assumed without checking.

Me too Kelly, your not alone!!

Mharvey · Jan 7, 2010

Proach said:
Ok, I have another question, when it comes to querying female agents.
There is no way of knowing their marriage status, so what would be the best way to address them? Mrs. or Miss, or Ms.?, or is it alright to address them by their first name?

Thanks

__________________________
Website
Deanna's Online Writing

I always start with Dear, and do Ms. for women and Mr. for guys.

Ultimately, that's one part of the letter I don't sweat. If they get that edgy over the greeting (IE: They would have rathered "Salutations" or expect me to know they are a "Mrs."), I wouldn't want them representing me anyway. As long as you don't confuse the gender... but I have to imagine any agent with a name that could go either way has had the wrong title used so many times they'd be numb to it.

Libbie · Jan 8, 2010

Yeah, just be sure you've got the gender right.

IceCreamEmpress · Jan 8, 2010

You should use "Ms." for all business correspondence unless you know for a fact that the person prefers either "Mrs." or "Miss". "Ms." is the default honorific for women you don't know in business correspondence.

And you know, a lot of women are married and don't use their husband's last name. Calling me "Mrs. Empress" would be weird, because my husband's last name isn't "Empress."

kellion92 · Jan 8, 2010

What Ms. Express said. I would be weirded out and even insulted to be called anything but Ms. Kellion professionally. In business, my marital status is irrelevant.

Ms Behaving · Jan 27, 2010

I totally agree… referring to me as Mrs. Behaving would be inappropriate... and inaccurate

Addressing agents in Queries

Proach

kuwisdelu

Revolutionize the World

ChaosTitan

Around

virtue_summer

Always learning

Proach

ChaosTitan

Around

kuwisdelu

Revolutionize the World

OctoberLee

Destroying something beautiful

bclement412

YAwriter72

someone let me off this crazy ride

Mharvey

Liker Of Happy Things

Libbie

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

IceCreamEmpress

Hapless Virago

kellion92

A cat may not look at a king

Ms Behaving

It's always something