What to send?

ArtsyAmy · Mar 21, 2012

I'm just about ready to send materials to an agent. I understand it's important to send an agent precisely what she requests--no more, no less. The problem? While I know that different agents request different information, I'm finding conflicting information regarding what *the same agent* wants. One popular website that provides information on agents, including their submission guidelines, says she would like to be e-mailed a query letter. A similar popular website says she'd like to be e-mailed a query letter, plus a certain number of pages. Her agency's website says to send (via snail mail) her a query letter, novel synopsis, and a certain number of pages (or maybe it's a certain number of chapters--can't recall at the moment).

I sure don't want the agent's first impression of me to be that I can't follow directions--but I'm getting different directions from different sources. Any advice? Thank you.

Cyia · Mar 21, 2012

The standard is query + 5 pages pasted into the body of the email.

RKLipman · Mar 21, 2012

I disagree.

When in doubt, follow primary sources. In this case, defer to the agency's website - unless the agent in question has his or her own website, everything else is second-hand - and hearsay.

Drachen Jager · Mar 21, 2012

I find Publisher's Marketplace a good source for that information. Agency websites dictate agency-wide policy, and often don't include agent-specific details. Agents manage their own PM pages for the most part, so that information should be correct for them.

If Curtis Brown is the agency in question I'll find out soon enough. I just queried one of theirs using her PM query requirements.

heyjude · Mar 21, 2012

ArtsyAmy said:
Her agency's website says to send (via snail mail) her a query letter, novel synopsis, and a certain number of pages (or maybe it's a certain number of chapters--can't recall at the moment).

This is the most direct information you have; use it.

And good luck!

IceCreamEmpress · Mar 21, 2012

Do as exactly as possible what the website or professional reference listing specifies. (If the two conflict, I would go with what the agency's website says over the reference listing, as the former are updated more frequently.)

stormie · Mar 21, 2012

I agree w/ a few others here: Always go by the agency's website when in doubt.

dwriter68 · Mar 21, 2012

Agree. The agency's website should be the one to follow.

What to send?

ArtsyAmy

Cyia

Rewriting My Destiny

RKLipman

Seasoned Veteran of Lurking

Drachen Jager

Professor of applied misanthropy

heyjude

Making my own sunshine

IceCreamEmpress

Hapless Virago

stormie

storm central

dwriter68