Do you mention where you're from?

doubt · Dec 22, 2011

If you're querying an agent or publisher who's not in your country, is it polite to mention you're international? Or should that only be done after you get an offer?

It's not that problematic for someone big and established, but it might be for smaller pubs and agents getting a query from someplace they never have. They have to deal with a new situation, new forms, new laws and stuff. Or do you as the writer take responsibility of making sure everything's set up right?

This is just pure curiosity, really.

Barbara R. · Dec 22, 2011

It doesn't matter till they love your work and want to represent/publish you; then you can tell them that by the way, you live in Uzbekistan, or wherever. Don't think they'll care; it's just something for Accounting to work out.

Terie · Dec 22, 2011

Since you would generally include your mailing address under your signature in the query, they'll find out that way.

doubt · Dec 22, 2011

I'd think it would be Not A Good Idea to send your address over e-mail to every agent or publisher out there, even if they're reputable and everything. But I don't query, so what do I know....

jaksen · Dec 22, 2011

doubt said:
I'd think it would be Not A Good Idea to send your address over e-mail to every agent or publisher out there, even if they're reputable and everything. But I don't query, so what do I know....

I send my address and phone number. I want them to know who I am and where I live. If I plan to work with these people they need to know that.

This information is usually included in any formal letter. That's how I was taught to write them in grade school, and that's how I write my queries.

kimberlycreates · Dec 22, 2011

Barbara R. said:
It doesn't matter till they love your work and want to represent/publish you; then you can tell them that by the way, you live in Uzbekistan, or wherever. Don't think they'll care; it's just something for Accounting to work out.

Agreed with one caveat: Make sure you read the guidelines. I know some markets that only accept work from local/regional authors. Make sure you're not querying one of those unless you're local.

Jamesaritchie · Dec 22, 2011

I never send anything to anyone without including address and phone number.

jaksen · Dec 22, 2011

kimberlycreates said:
Agreed with one caveat: Make sure you read the guidelines. I know some markets that only accept work from local/regional authors. Make sure you're not querying one of those unless you're local.

I haven't found any of these agencies in my massive agent-hunting search. If you can write a book that they can sell, they don't care where you live.

MJNL · Dec 22, 2011

jaksen said:
I haven't found any of these agencies in my massive agent-hunting search. If you can write a book that they can sell, they don't care where you live.

There are several picture book publishers in Canada that only publish Canadian authors--so they're out there.

ETA: And yes, you should include your mailing address and phone number. You are sending business documents. Business documents require these things.

jaksen · Dec 22, 2011

I don't write picture books, so perhaps that's why I haven't encountered any.

And I've currently researched 201 agents - and still going strong.

doubt · Dec 22, 2011

Yeah, but you could send to hundreds of agents or publishers and who knows what could happen to their emails that have your address in them. It's much less risky to send your address only to people you will work with, not a million other potentials.

I don't know, I'm just a bit paranoid about the Internet, I suppose.

MJNL · Dec 22, 2011

If you've properly researched the legitimacy of the agent or publisher you should have no problem giving the information. When you want to do business with someone you have to work within the expected bounds of professionalism--not giving proper contact information is unprofessional.

doubt · Dec 22, 2011

MJNL said:
If you've properly researched the legitimacy of the agent or publisher you should have no problem giving the information. When you want to do business with someone you have to work within the expected bounds of professionalism--not giving proper contact information is unprofessional.

That's completely true. I can't help getting queasy thinking about it, though. I once sent a story for a local writing competition (completely legit, organised by the university) and the editor's assistant saw it and it wasn't pretty.

It fills me with dread, but I guess it's one of those eyeroll-y get over it things for people. It's a bridge I'll have to cross if I ever start querying.

SRHowen · Dec 22, 2011

And not giving contact info all of it, and every bit you can think of, fax, phone, physical addy, alt phone, etc., will result in a automatic rejection. (Most times) I don't deal with that anymore, but when i was looking for an agent you better believe I wanted them to be able to get a hold of me.

MJNL · Dec 22, 2011

I don't know how agents and publishers feel about this alternative, so you might want to ask around: but when I submit to magazines hard-copy I'm often submitting to P.O. Boxes, rather than office buildings. Perhaps you could get a P.O. Box and use it for your professional mail instead of your home address? You'll still need to include a phone number that you can be consistently reached at, though.

Flicka · Dec 22, 2011

doubt said:
Yeah, but you could send to hundreds of agents or publishers and who knows what could happen to their emails that have your address in them. It's much less risky to send your address only to people you will work with, not a million other potentials.

I don't know, I'm just a bit paranoid about the Internet, I suppose.

Well, if you know my real name, my address is readily available through some 10+ websites that publish phone subscriber data or data from our public records so it's a little late for paranoia for me...

doubt · Dec 22, 2011

MJNL, I'll have to check that out

Flicka, never late for paranoia.

. Thank God for unlisted phone numbers and common names. At least that makes it a little more difficult to be an easy target.
lol

Flicka · Dec 22, 2011

doubt said:
MJNL, I'll have to check that out

Flicka, never late for paranoia. . Thank God for unlisted phone numbers and common names. At least that makes it a little more difficult to be an easy target.
lol

Target for what exactly? Identity theft?

MJNL · Dec 22, 2011

And hell, it's good to remember that anyone can abuse your information. Anyone who has a phone book can pick your number randomly and crank call you (or just randomly dial your number if you're unlisted), or send you unwanted mail. That's just a risk of living anywhere with people. I'm not trying to make you more paranoid, just saying that to stunt yourself professionally because you're afraid a stranger could get the info is a bit silly, because internet and foreign bad guys are no more common than local bad guys.

Now, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t protect yourself. You should. And you do that by heavily researching the people you share that info with.

doubt · Dec 22, 2011

Flicka said:
Target for what exactly? Identity theft?

No, but I have ten other elaborate and outlandish ideas, just basing it on past experience.

MJNL - thanks. Anyway, the chances of anyone abusing my personal info again are slim anyway. Especially if I'm careful, as you say.

Do you mention where you're from?

doubt

Barbara R.

Old Hand in the Biz

Terie

Writer is as Writer does

doubt

jaksen

Caped Codder

kimberlycreates

insert witty title here

Jamesaritchie

jaksen

Caped Codder

MJNL

A Little Lost

jaksen

Caped Codder

doubt

MJNL

A Little Lost

doubt

SRHowen

Erotica is not a four letter word!

MJNL

A Little Lost

Flicka

Dull Old Person

doubt

Flicka

Dull Old Person

MJNL

A Little Lost

doubt