Donald Maass Literary Agency

CobraMisfit · Aug 20, 2012

I'd like to query Cameron McClure, but the agency website is a little confusing. On the "submissions" page, they state all submissions need to be sent to the info (at) maassagency (dot) com, but on Ms. McClure's bio page, it lists a specific e-mail and different requirements (i.e. no synopsis).

Any experience or advice with this?

StellaArgentum · Aug 20, 2012

CobraMisfit said:
I'd like to query Cameron McClure, but the agency website is a little confusing. On the "submissions" page, they state all submissions need to be sent to the info (at) maassagency (dot) com, but on Ms. McClure's bio page, it lists a specific e-mail and different requirements (i.e. no synopsis).

Any experience or advice with this?

I queried Cameron with the e-mail on her bio page and followed her stated requirements. I think that's the correct procedure, but since I never heard back from her, take that with a grain of salt.

(Now I'm wondering if I should use the general info e-mail for my re-query? Grr, confusing guidelines are the worst!)

Beckstah · Aug 20, 2012

I believe that when Cameron requested my partial, my initial query was to her personal e-mail (the one listed in her bio), and it was just a query+pages.

CobraMisfit · Aug 22, 2012

Thanks for the clarification/advice, Stella and Beckstah. I fired off a Q to the bio e-mail, so we'll see what happens.

'Course, if I get a Mr. Yuck Face in response, I'll just assume it's because of the wrong e-mail and not, say, my horribly clichéd writing.

Dryad · Aug 28, 2012

I queried to Cameron's personal address.

52greg · Oct 13, 2012

Jennifer Uddens

Is Jennifer Uddens still at Donald Maass? Last I looked, she wasn't on the website.

CaoPaux · Oct 13, 2012

She's at the bottom of the page: http://www.maassagency.com/agents.html Currently closed to queries.

52greg · Oct 14, 2012

CaoPaux said:
She's at the bottom of the page: http://www.maassagency.com/agents.html Currently closed to queries.

Thanks.

JoyMC · Oct 30, 2012

Has anyone queried Amy Boggs since she reopened 10/1? I queried on the first day and haven't heard yet, which didn't surprise me until I saw her tweet today that she had received queries during the hurricane and was reviewing them. Wonder if I got lost, or she's an out order kind of gal.

Vespertilion · Oct 30, 2012

She must be an out-of-order type, JoyMC. I queried her back in May and haven't heard anything. I did get the auto-reply, so I know the gremlins didn't get it.

Polenth · Oct 31, 2012

JoyMC said:
Has anyone queried Amy Boggs since she reopened 10/1? I queried on the first day and haven't heard yet, which didn't surprise me until I saw her tweet today that she had received queries during the hurricane and was reviewing them. Wonder if I got lost, or she's an out order kind of gal.

She commented on Twitter: "I do reply to all, eventually. To be honest, the easier it is to say no, the quicker I respond."

MaraudingDon · Oct 31, 2012

JoyMC said:
Has anyone queried Amy Boggs since she reopened 10/1? I queried on the first day and haven't heard yet, which didn't surprise me until I saw her tweet today that she had received queries during the hurricane and was reviewing them. Wonder if I got lost, or she's an out order kind of gal.

In my experience Ms Boggs is extremely slow to respond. In the past I have queried her twice. One response was sent 16 months after the query; the other 9 months and after I had signed contracts for representation with someone else.

She was classy though and wished me luck.

Jessica_312 · Dec 15, 2012

So.after querying Donald Maass agency about eight months ago, I just now received a response with a request for a partial (yay!!!) It seems they are a little backed up, but I'm thrilled to receive a request nonetheless
*fingers crossed*

ETA: It was an email response to a snail mail query, by the way. Never had that happen before...

Aggy B. · Dec 20, 2012

I queried Jennifer Jackson on 12/4/12 and received a request for the first 50 pages on 12/16/12.

merlot143 · Dec 20, 2012

Jessica_312 said:
So.after querying Donald Maass agency about eight months ago, I just now received a response with a request for a partial (yay!!!) It seems they are a little backed up, but I'm thrilled to receive a request nonetheless
*fingers crossed*

Awesome! Which agent did you contact?

Jessica_312 · Dec 21, 2012

merlot143 said:
Awesome! Which agent did you contact?

I queried Donald Maass directly, which is what they say to do if you're not sure which agent would be the best fit. So short answer... I'm not sure LOL!

Jessica_312 · Dec 21, 2012

Aggy B. said:
I queried Jennifer Jackson on 12/4/12 and received a request for the first 50 pages on 12/16/12.

Wow, that was quick! Congrats!

The_Burning_Quill · Jan 9, 2013

Hello - I'll preface the post by declaring that I am a massive noobcake re: agents (or even how these 'online forum' things work other than lurking).

I seem to have made a howler of a mistake in my query to DMLA in that I think I've submitted to the wrong agent.

I submitted my query to Jennifer Jackson at DMLA because she *seemed* the best fit for my Fantasy/SciFi crossover work..... until I later scrolled down to read Jennifer Udden's bio where she specifically mentions that she is looking for this type of novel. *cue face palm*

What should I do? Wait for Jennifer Jackson to reject then drop a line to Jennifer Udden? Or should I take direct action and try to divert the submission to the more appropriate agent?

DPRichard · Jan 9, 2013

The_Burning_Quill said:
Hello - I'll preface the post by declaring that I am a massive noobcake re: agents (or even how these 'online forum' things work other than lurking).

I seem to have made a howler of a mistake in my query to DMLA in that I think I've submitted to the wrong agent.

I submitted my query to Jennifer Jackson at DMLA because she *seemed* the best fit for my Fantasy/SciFi crossover work..... until I later scrolled down to read Jennifer Udden's bio where she specifically mentions that she is looking for this type of novel. *cue face palm*

What should I do? Wait for Jennifer Jackson to reject then drop a line to Jennifer Udden? Or should I take direct action and try to divert the submission to the more appropriate agent?

I would wait, see what the reply is from Jackson and if it is a no, then query Udden. Who knows, maybe Jackson will love your manuscript and offer to rep it.

MaraudingDon · Jan 10, 2013

DPRichard said:
I would wait, see what the reply is from Jackson and if it is a no, then query Udden. Who knows, maybe Jackson will love your manuscript and offer to rep it.

I would do exactly the same. Wait to hear back from one agent before querying another.

And don't worry too much. Good luck and keep on querying, The Burning Quill.

The_Burning_Quill · Jan 10, 2013

MaraudingDon said:
I would do exactly the same. Wait to hear back from one agent before querying another.

And don't worry too much. Good luck and keep on querying, The Burning Quill.

Many thanks. I guess I'll just sit tight. I have this queasy worry about whether DMLA have a 'one submission to the agency' policy and I don't want to burn it by sending it to the "wrong" agent.

I wonder if the agents bother sharing slushpile subs if they think one of their colleagues are better suited or if they just bin them due to massive volume.

waylander · Jan 10, 2013

AFAIK DMLA share queries

The_Burning_Quill · Jan 10, 2013

waylander said:
AFAIK DMLA share queries

Thanks Waylander, makes me feel much better. Now I just hope the quality is there.

Jessica_312 · Feb 5, 2013

Received a full request from MJ (office assistant). Sending that out tonight....

Aggy B. · Feb 5, 2013

Jessica_312 said:
Received a full request from MJ (office assistant). Sending that out tonight....

That's awesome! Good luck.

Donald Maass Literary Agency

CobraMisfit

I want to be Comic Sans.

StellaArgentum

Enjoying the Adventure

Beckstah

Zen-ish

CobraMisfit

I want to be Comic Sans.

Dryad

52greg

CaoPaux

Mostly Harmless

52greg

JoyMC

Vespertilion

Flying blind on a rocket cycle.

Polenth

Mushroom

MaraudingDon

Searching for Arthur

Jessica_312

Aggy B.

Not as sweet as you think

merlot143

Jessica_312

Jessica_312

The_Burning_Quill

DPRichard

MaraudingDon

Searching for Arthur

The_Burning_Quill

waylander

Who's going for a beer?

The_Burning_Quill

Jessica_312

Aggy B.

Not as sweet as you think