It seems to me that if an agent looks promising, and his submission guidelines say, "You can send me a one page e-mail query or snail mail a query letter, three sample chapters, and a synopsis," you should always do the latter. Am I missing something?
E-mail queries
- Thread starter Homer
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Whether Email or Mail--do it right
Hello Homer,
No matter which way you go--email or mail--just make sure you send something that is excellent. It's what will make your material stand out from the other submissions. As an acquisitions editor, I'm often shocked at the poorly crafted material that people send to me--and expect me to publish--right.
We work so hard at crafting a good story or a good book proposal or book manuscript, then fire off a one page query letter filled with typos and poorly crafted sentences--and get rejected. Then people wonder why they don't get a hearing? Every literary agent that I know (and I know a number of them well) is actively looking for new clients. The key is they are looking for the right client for them. I love this excerpt that Noah Lukeman has online about queries: http://snipurl.com/greatquery or Check out my musings about how every book proposal (fiction or nonfiction) needs to include a well-crafted marketing plan: http://snipurl.com/marketingplan
It really doesn't matter whether you mail it or email the submission. The editor will give it about the same sort of time in terms of evaluation. I know--because since January I've received and logged over 300 fiction submissions--for six to eight possible books that will be published.
I try and help writers understand the editor's needs from a writer in Book Proposals That Sell. Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, writers have validated the value of the book.
I hope my answer helps you.
Terry
Hello Homer,
No matter which way you go--email or mail--just make sure you send something that is excellent. It's what will make your material stand out from the other submissions. As an acquisitions editor, I'm often shocked at the poorly crafted material that people send to me--and expect me to publish--right.
We work so hard at crafting a good story or a good book proposal or book manuscript, then fire off a one page query letter filled with typos and poorly crafted sentences--and get rejected. Then people wonder why they don't get a hearing? Every literary agent that I know (and I know a number of them well) is actively looking for new clients. The key is they are looking for the right client for them. I love this excerpt that Noah Lukeman has online about queries: http://snipurl.com/greatquery or Check out my musings about how every book proposal (fiction or nonfiction) needs to include a well-crafted marketing plan: http://snipurl.com/marketingplan
It really doesn't matter whether you mail it or email the submission. The editor will give it about the same sort of time in terms of evaluation. I know--because since January I've received and logged over 300 fiction submissions--for six to eight possible books that will be published.
I try and help writers understand the editor's needs from a writer in Book Proposals That Sell. Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, writers have validated the value of the book.
I hope my answer helps you.
Terry
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It all depends on that particular agent. I know some that prefer snail queries, even though they state they take e-queries (The DMLA comes to mind), and some that prefer e-queries. Research the particular agent you're looking for.
IMO, Check the boards and see who has the most success with what kinds of responses. That's a very telling thing.
IMO, Check the boards and see who has the most success with what kinds of responses. That's a very telling thing.
I can understand snail mailing a query letter & synopsis, but why waste your time and money sending the chapters? If the agent likes what he/she sees they'll ask for the chapters.
It depends on what you think the agent will read first. Writing a decent synopsis is very difficult, agents know this and many will reach for the writing sample before the synopsis.
kpmcneil22 said:I would send as much as they are wiling to take. I don't think it hurts to get as much material in front of an agent/editor as possible - if it's good. For example, maybe you have a weak query, but they glance at the first manuscript page just because it's there, you have a great opening that hooks them... Who knows?
It's extra effort and extra cost, but it's the way I'd go.
Kevin
My thoughts exactly. Common sense.
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