Querying editors

Persevere · Sep 21, 2012

I have been querying agents for the past few months with many nibbles but no bites. Two editors read my pages at a writing confernce earlier in the year and both really liked it giving me referrals to agents which subsequently passed on my work.

Is it appropriate for me to contact the editors directly to see if they would like to read more? They both gave me their emails.

EMaree · Sep 21, 2012

Because the editors referred you to agents, it sounds like they want you to be agented before they can consider your work.

I'd try querying more agents.

EDIT: quicklime's advice is far superior to mine.

quicklime · Sep 21, 2012

Did the editors read your sample pages, or query?

Because if they read samples, it is possible (maybe even probable) that some of your agent issues are because of the query....if they don't like the query, they won't read your sample pages and the way I read your post sounded like you got to leap-frog the query and offer those two editors actual sample pages.

the other question would be who the editors are and what they actually said. I'm not saying post them here, but you may want to look them up--editors at a major house, or a minor house, or is it possible they were unscrupulous freelance editors? I only ask because this sounds a bit reminiscent of some of the small-time ballroom competitions where everybody wins, regardless how good they are they win some damn thing, because it keeps them in the pipeline. So, figure out what you gave them (easy) and make sure they were legit.

If they werre legit, I'm extremely suspicious of the query.

Persevere · Sep 21, 2012

Both the editors read three chapters and both are from big publishing houses. If I told you their names you would probably recognize them.

I've queried about 50 agents and have had 10 requests for partials and fulls. My query isn't the problem and the feedback I've gotten hasn't been one particular thing; one didn't believe the character, one thought it was too fast, one didn't think the fit was close enough, etc. I've got one full and one partial out now and probably 20 queries that have not responded. I may get more requests, I may not.

I've never sent to editors or publishing houses directly so I'm considering other options, that's all.

ARoyce · Sep 21, 2012

I agree with EMaree--and if they're from a Big Six house, they'll only accept agented submissions. So I wouldn't suggest you ask them if they want to read more. I do think you can ask them if they have other agent suggestions, since the ones they gave you didn't work out. But even then, I'd only make such a request once and then not try to contact them again.

I'd try querying more agents and perhaps subbing to houses that accept unagented submissions. Querytracker.net can help you identify some of those.

I think it's a great sign that you've gotten requests for material. Sounds like you're on the right track. Even if this manuscript isn't "the one," it definitely sounds like you're getting close! Good luck!!!!

EMaree · Sep 22, 2012

10 requests out of 50 queries is amazing, Persevere. A 1-in-10 request rate is generally accepted as an author being on the right track, so 1-in-5 is spectacular. Great work.

It sounds like you just might not have found the agent who's the perfect fit for your manuscript. 100 agent submissions is a good amount of aim for before looking for other methods.

You can submit unsolicited to a few noteable mid-list and small pubs (HarperVoyager has an e-book only open month coming up, Angry Robot regularly does open doors, Hot Key Books and Snowbooks accept unsolicted manuscripts, and there's loads more out there) but editors accepting unsolicited submissions are rare... especially for the big publishers. Because these editors are from big houses, I'm now very certain that they'd prefer for you to have an agent before contacting them.

Jamesaritchie · Sep 22, 2012

Here's the thing. There are some major publishers out there who will look at queries from unpublished writers for this or that particular book line. And it is possible to get the attention of an editor at any publishing house, and for any book line, if you're good enough in what you have to say, how you say it, and how you present it.

Many doors are closed, but darned few of them are actually locked. But if you do get them to open the door a crack, you'd better have something incredible to say.

As long as you can still find top agents to approach, it's best to go that way, and save the editors for later.

I'll also ask this. You are telling the agents that this editor or that one liked the sample, and referred you to them, right?

Persevere · Sep 23, 2012

Yes. Right up front in the query. That's why I've gotten so many requests, but I don't seem to be having any luck recently. It's been about a month and twenty queries since I've had any requests. There was a thread in August about the best time to query. I think so many people wait until September that the agents get swamped. I got several requests in August and none in September.

I did contact one of the editors asking for referrals. She was so nice and gave me a few names. I would not ask her again. The other editor gave me a great referral and that agent, after a nudge, told me she was leaving the agency and couldn't take anything with her. That was a big disappointment as I thought I had a chance with her and the agency is number one on my list.

Thanks to all for the info about publishers. I guess I'll keep querying until I get to 100 then, if no bites, think about smaller publishers.

I remember the first time someone requested my manuscript. I was so happy! I was sure I would get the agent! Now when I send it out I just think "wonder what they will say in their rejection letter?"

I did get an actual letter in the mail last week. I must say it was much more satisfying to tear it up into little pieces than to just hit the delete button.

WeaselFire · Sep 24, 2012

Persevere said:
The other editor gave me a great referral and that agent, after a nudge, told me she was leaving the agency and couldn't take anything with her.

When you called the agency to see who would be the appropriate agent to send to in lieu of her, did you then send it to them?

Jeff

Persevere · Sep 24, 2012

I emailed both editors and they very graciously gave me referrals for several agents. The names were already on my list. They all (four in total) asked for partials and eventually passed. I met them in early May at a conference.

profen4 · Sep 30, 2012

Persevere said:
The other editor gave me a great referral and that agent, after a nudge, told me she was leaving the agency and couldn't take anything with her. .

That sounds like she is leaving the agency, but not the business. Have you searched the internet to see if she has settled into her new agency?

Persevere · Sep 30, 2012

Current whereabouts are unknown. I'm sure she'll pop up again somewhere in a month or two. I plan on requerying her and the agency.

profen4 · Sep 30, 2012

Persevere said:
Current whereabouts are unknown. I'm sure she'll pop up again somewhere in a month or two. I plan on requerying her and the agency.

I bet sooner than that. Have you checked Querytracker? Those profiles are updated quite frequently by the agents.

Good luck!

Querying editors

Persevere

EMaree

a demon for tea

quicklime

all out of fucks to give

Persevere

ARoyce

Hopeful romantic/hopeless pedant

EMaree

a demon for tea

Jamesaritchie

Persevere

WeaselFire

Benefactor Member

Persevere

profen4

Persevere

profen4