Am I Stoopid, or what?

It depends. Some agents state these days that they prefer email queries to snail mail. Some will not even look at email queries. The way to figure out which agent prefers which method is to look at their website, blog, etc. Their submission guidelines usually state pretty clearly which way is best, according to them. Sometimes they will list both with no preference for either - then it's up to you. The fact itself that there is an email address provided somewhere doesn't have to mean the agent prefers email queries. Read the submission guidelines. ;-) You can't go wrong with those.

However, I believe that if you're more comfortable querying via snail mail, and the agent doesn't state anywhere that they accept email queries only, there's no harm in going about it the old-fashioned way.

Rhea L said:

However, I believe that if you're more comfortable querying via snail mail, and the agent doesn't state anywhere that they accept email queries only, there's no harm in going about it the old-fashioned way.

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That's a good point. While there are some agents who don't accept email queries, I don't believe there are many (if any) that still won't accept s-mail queries.

Those who accept both may respond faster to email, but if response time isn't an issue, go for it....

Submissions

You have to find the guidelines, and you have to follow the guidelines to the letter. There is no other way.

My experience is the number of "no responses" is much higher with e-mail queries than with snail mails (with SASE). Ultimately, these "no responses" are considered rejections, but anyone who keeps accurate track of their queries might agree that these "no responses" are worse than outright rejections.

First -- I'd get one of the standard guides to submission. Two good ones are Jeff Hermann's Guide or the Guide to Literary Agents. These will be in the library, but it's a worthwhile investment to buy one for reference.

Go to the agents' websites themselves, one by one. Do not use names and addresses you gather from a general website with many agency listings. These are almost certain to be wrong.

At the agency website, determine which member of the agency should receive your query. Follow the submission directions given there. If the agency has no website or if the directions there are unclear, follow the directions in the written Guide.

My advice would be to submit in paper format unless the agent specifically says not to. You will not be querying hundreds of agents. IMO, it's worth the time and postage to submit something the agent can hold in his hand.

Unless the agent specifically says otherwise, I'd bundle the query as a one-page query letter, a five page synopsis and the first three chapters.

NeuroFizz said:

My experience is the number of "no responses" is much higher with e-mail queries than with snail mails (with SASE). Ultimately, these "no responses" are considered rejections, but anyone who keeps accurate track of their queries might agree that these "no responses" are worse than outright rejections.

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Especially if you're hoping for feedback.

As having been in the publishing business for some time, I know that most respected publishing houses don't mind a snail mail query. They offer both opportunities, actually.
But lots of authors prefer to send in their query by email, because it is just a lot easier (and cheaper for the one who's querying). You can send out as many queries as you want at no additional costs.
Our world is changing, that's for sure. And we old ones (I'm not a teenie, either) could better adjust or we'll stay behind.


Nickie

Just thought I'd note something that may seem obvious but about which my own agent was mildly bitching the other day: whether you snail-mail or email a query, be sure that your own contact info includes a valid, correctly-spelled email address.

She said it was amazing how many people fail to do so. And even though she's from the old school, and is still more likely to pick up the phone, there are times and situations in which email is a lot more convenient.

johnzakour said:

That's a good point. While there are some agents who don't accept email queries, I don't believe there are many (if any) that still won't accept s-mail queries.

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Kristin Nelson will not accept snail mail queries, I believe. But you're right, she's an exception.

Queries

From what I've seen and heard, about three fourths of agents, even those who accept e-mail queries, still prefer snail mail.

I sure wouldn't want a query of mine competing with the bazillions of e-mail queries most agents receive unless I had no choice. The delete button is way too conveniently placed.

Not to mention through snail-mail you can include the first five pages so they have a sample of your writing and not just your query to go on.

icerose said:

Not to mention through snail-mail you can include the first five pages so they have a sample of your writing and not just your query to go on.

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You can do that with e-mail too. And either way, it can be just as unwanted.

PeeDee said:

You can do that with e-mail too. And either way, it can be just as unwanted.

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No arguing here.

All of my requests have been off emails. I'm just now starting snail mail stuff.