Two Questions - Word Length and eQueries

I can't answer your first question (though I agree that it does seem a little short but it may be different for 'literary' fiction).

But if the agency doesn't give you any other way of contacting them, you have to go with the query@xyzagency format. Yes, most agents dislike generic queries but what other choice do you have? I would address it to 'Dear Sir/Ma'am' or something like that.

On a side note, I have seen web sites where they give the email address of the agents and also a separate, agency email address. Check the site carefully, you may be able to find something similar. But if not, simply go with the agency address.

seinemckay said:

(1) I have an MS that's sitting at just over 65k, literary fiction; seems a little short by most guidelines, but the story's as far as it's going to go. Is that dangerously short (esp. for a first-timer)?

(2) Every agent seems to despise "to whom it may concern" queries; what do you do when an agency prefers eQueries, but not to a particular agent (e.g., submissions webpage says "send to [email protected]")? Should I side-step any sort of salutation?

Thanks for any advice.

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For #2 always, always put an agent name on it, even if you're not sure who it will really go to. Agentquery.com is one way to find agent names, there are many other ways too.

seinemckay said:

Is that dangerously short (esp. for a first-timer)?

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The biggest problem for first timers is getting the book too long. 65k will probably work for literary. For other genres--like SF or fantasy--it would be too short for many publishers, even for first timers.

As for your other question, even if it's a collective address, I always try to find the best agent there to address it to.

seinemckay said:

(2) Every agent seems to despise "to whom it may concern" queries; what do you do when an agency prefers eQueries, but not to a particular agent (e.g., submissions webpage says "send to [email protected]")? Should I side-step any sort of salutation?

Thanks for any advice.

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Can't help with that first question, since I write YA and have no idea about lit, but for your second question, find someone to address it to. On most agency sites, they'll tell you query the agency address, and address all your letteres to so and so (often you have to scroll to find this information, becuase I've found it's not always kept with the contact information.)

Donald Maass Agency, for instance, has an info@thatagency (don't want to do the actual address because of spam bots) but anyway, they have that e-mail and about two paragraphs below that, it says, if you don't have a specific agent in mind, address all letters to Donald Maass. I found another agency that says to send to queries@thatagency, and then it says address all queries to the assistant (they give you here name and everything) whose going to be reading them and passing them along to the agents. So, often, if you look, you'll find who to address to.

If you can't, I agree with everyone else, go on agentquery (if you haven't already got someone in mind) find which agent at the agency would be the best fit for you, and address the letter to him or her.

Good luck. Hope I helped.

Nienna