Newbie Here: First Post

SHH! Confidentially, I send out batches of queries, all at the same time, and I never tell the agents that any other agent has been contacted. Don't tell! BTW--welcome to Absolute Write--- As for the second question, I have no idea. You'll have to find someone wiser than me to answer that one for you.

I've heard it both ways--that it's a small world and the agents will find out you're querying them all, and that it's not important.

I think--but am not sure I'm right--that when it's only in the query stage, it's okay. Because most people say they read the queries in, like, 30 seconds, and decide that fast whether to read on or not. No one could possibly remember 200 queries read at 30 seconds each!

But once you get some response--partial request, full, etc.--you for sure need to be up front if others are also looking at it. You're building a relationship at that point--the kind of relationship where, even if they pass on the first thing you query, they'll remember you when you send them something else. So you want to be very professional and honest then.

"Please be advised this is a simultaneous submission" is all you need to say.

As for the other--I have no idea. But I know some people do succeed at doing both, so it must be possible!

If you look at the staff of many publishing companies they are often published writers. I can't imagine they all stop writing just because of their jobs.

Yeah, "This is a simultaneous submission." is good enough. Check out my article on query letters if you need examples of what to say.

http://www.cynthealiu.com/2006/05/29/57/anatomy-of-a-query-letter/

As for your second question, there are a number of editors who are also published authors. I can think of several off the top of my head. It doesn't have to be an either/or thing.

Good luck with your sub!

If you're sending out your initial query letter, I don't think you really need to say anything. Agents know (and expect) that you are querying other agents, too. If you only queried one agent at a time, you'd never get anywhere! If they ask for a partial or a full, I agree with the earlier advice that it's best to be honest and say if anyone else is reading it, too.

Tons of editors are writers, too, including me! I think it's a very common thing. You just have to shoot high both in your "day job" and in writing.

Best of luck. Keep us posted!

Welcome to you both! Though after reading GrammarGoddess' bio, I'm, er, not so sure I want to be stuck in a traffic jam with her.

Welcome and enjoy.

wyntermoon said:

Welcome to you both! Though after reading GrammarGoddess' bio, I'm, er, not so sure I want to be stuck in a traffic jam with her.

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Haha! If I'm not doing that, I'm definitely belting out "Before He Cheats" and pretending I'm Carrie Underwood. Either way, I wouldn't want to be stuck next to me, either!