Would you tell...

Dollywagon · Jul 12, 2006

an agent that you are querying, that the mss has been submitted to a publisher direct, rejected, but with encouraging comments?

I only ask because I don't want the publisher (who has been decent to me) to keep getting hit with the same stuff.
But by the same token am I selling myself short by not mentioning it?

victoriastrauss · Jul 12, 2006

I wouldn't at the query stage. But you will have to tell her if she shows interest in representing you, because she won't be able to submit that manuscript to that publisher again. This is one problem with querying publishers first, or querying publishers and agents simultaneously--every publisher rejection is an avenue you've closed off for the agent. Too many of these, and you'll seriously compromise your attractiveness as a client.

- Victoria

Dollywagon · Jul 12, 2006

Thanks Victoria, I hear what you're saying.

Query letters are harder than writing the stories. I don't like this bit :e2hammer:

scfirenice · Jul 12, 2006

Victoria is absolutely right. One of the first questions my agent asked before she offered me a contract was 'What publishers had seen it and what if any feedback did I get.' I too had submitted directly to one publisher. Don;t submit to anymore though or you'll narrow the field.

Dollywagon · Jul 12, 2006

Right, got it!

Crikey, this learning curve seems steep this week.

Mind you, I live for the day an agent will actually speak to me. They can even shout if they like :tongue

bylinebree · Jul 12, 2006

Glad I saw this - it sort of confirms I'm on the right track. I think. I hope.

I don't have an agent yet, but had a senior editor at a major house ask me to submit (partial, not whole book...yet - only been two months since I emailed the sub).

Now I do worry about not having an agent, and am getting ready to query two, at least.
You guys have confirmed that I should not, indeed, submit directly to any more publishers. Don't want to, want an agent!

Maybe it will help that I'm writing cross-genres. Then they'll have more to choose from to reject (lord forbid) or accept (yes, yes, yes).

Dolly, total agreement. Man, this is alot of work!!

Dollywagon · Jul 13, 2006

Well, I'm just having so much fun here!!!

Out of the 14 agents listed in the UK handbook that handle PB work, so far I've got:-

1 - doesn't handle them and the details are wrong???
2 - lists are full
4 - No unsol mss - which apparently may mean query or may mean, go away.
6 - will actually accept a submission for me - but one of them only accepts three full stories and the other, wait for it...
wants you to show them to an editor or literary consultant first!!!!

The other one hasn't answered the phone yet.

I think my career is going to be very short.

Have we inundated them with that much garbage that they have closed the doors on us?
More to the point, have "I" inundated them with that much garbage?

Kristen King · Jul 13, 2006

Dollywagon said:
...Out of the 14 agents listed in the UK handbook that handle PB work, so far I've got:-

1 - doesn't handle them and the details are wrong???
2 - lists are full
4 - No unsol mss - which apparently may mean query or may mean, go away.
6 - will actually accept a submission for me - but one of them only accepts three full stories and the other, wait for it...
wants you to show them to an editor or literary consultant first!!!!

"No unsolicited manuscripts" means "no unsolicited manuscripts," but it does not mean "no unsolocited queries." If they say "no unsolocited queries," then don't send them anything, but barring that, you should be able to query. After, of course, you send your query to an agent-endorsed literary consultant. ;]

Kristen

Dollywagon · Jul 13, 2006

I phoned the no unsol mss companies to check, Kirsten.
Only one will let you query. The others are saying their lists are full and they are only accepting works from already published authors or on personal recommendations.

They were all really nice though but the PB book market here in the UK seems really seriously restricted at the moment.

I think they must have been deluged with mss recently.

I wonder if there is such a thing as an agent endorsed literary consultant.
Is there a book on them

Kristen King · Jul 13, 2006

Dollywagon said:
I wonder if there is such a thing as an agent endorsed literary consultant.
Is there a book on them

Yeah, it's called The Street Smart Writer: Self Defense Against Sharks and Scams in the Writing World by Jenna Glatzer and Daniel Steven.

;]

Dollywagon · Jul 13, 2006

Sorry for calling you, Kirsten, Kristen

Wasn't there a Kristen in Dallas? Was she the one that shot JR?

See, it's sent me that daft, I'm starting to ramble more than usual!

Kristen King · Jul 13, 2006

It happens all the time. :] I try to pretend I don't notice.

Thanks for the correction.

popmuze · Jul 13, 2006

As a published writer myself, I have never interpreted the "no unsolicited manuscripts/queries" rule to mean "published writers only." I thought it pretty much meant everybody who doesn't come recommended by one of their authors, editors, doctors or dentists.

Could this mean my credentials so far are worth more than a ride on the subway (and a scrapbook of out of print memories)?

Kristen King · Jul 13, 2006

popmuze said:
Could this mean my credentials so far are worth more than a ride on the subway (and a scrapbook of out of print memories)?

Huh?

popmuze · Jul 13, 2006

In other words, can they get me through the "no unsolicited queries/submission" door?

Kristen King · Jul 13, 2006

Ah. No. Only someone soliciting your fill-in-the-blank can get you through a door marked "No Unsolicited Whatever." You can try, but you'll most likely end up annoying the person you're targeting rather than impressing him or her.

Dollywagon · Jul 13, 2006

Maybe this would be a clearer interpretation of "no unsol mss," when it comes to agents.

One receptionist gave me the long and complicated version of the company line, I said, 'What you mean is - It's not what you know, it's who you know?"

Yep - says he.

Saying that, please remember we are talking about picture books here. From what I can gather companies have been bombarded with poor quality submissions. Companies may be more open to other types of work.

I think I'm going to let Kristen call me Vanessa in future

She deserves to get her own back sometimes.

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