[Agency] Writers House

Azraelsbane · Oct 24, 2007

mollyluna said:
The literary agent world is dismal at best. Now, I know why there's a link for "rejection depression" on the absolute cooler index.

Yeah, come join the lot of us over in that section. I'm querying someone at Writers House and waiting for my form reject. You know, like the ones I've gotten from everyone else.

I think things would be easier for me if my betas hadn't loved my stuff, but as it stands the whole querying thing is utterly depressing for me. My husband and I had "the talk" today, and I think I'm going to stop trying the writing deal all together. I don't want to end up bitter AND alone. So... good luck. Don't let it consume you.

bluemoonscribe · Oct 25, 2007

I sent an email query to Daniel Lazar. His rejection was prompt and polite.

June Afternoon · Dec 9, 2007

I checked Daniel Lazar's PublishersMarketplace page and he said he represents Young Adult, but does anyone know if that includes fantasy young adult? I know WH represented Stephenie Meyer's Twilight, but that was Jodi Reamer, and she clearly states Fantasy in her PM page. As does Maya Rock.

I don't know if by Young Adult he means also fantasy young adult. If anyone knows, please holla, because I would love to query Mr. Lazar!

NiennaC · Dec 9, 2007

June Afternoon said:
I checked Daniel Lazar's PublishersMarketplace page and he said he represents Young Adult, but does anyone know if that includes fantasy young adult? I know WH represented Stephenie Meyer's Twilight, but that was Jodi Reamer, and she clearly states Fantasy in her PM page. As does Maya Rock.

I don't know if by Young Adult he means also fantasy young adult. If anyone knows, please holla, because I would love to query Mr. Lazar!

I'm fairly certain he takes Young Adult Fantasy - he read my urban fantasy, at least (passed on it, but was very polite). And, I did here he reads reg. fantasy, too, although I could be wrong.

June Afternoon · Dec 10, 2007

Thanks! That's nice to know for when I finalize my project.

Quick question, do you guys think any agents have an aversion to international writers? I have never sent out queries (going to begin doing that when I finish my current fantasy project), so I want to know if that's something they'd even consider. I lived in the US for five years, which is how I know how to speak English.

I read on a site that you should always include that in a query, because it makes you stand out. But then I read in Kristin Nelson's blog that she has to fill out extra paperwork for the IRS because of the nationality issue with one of her clients, so maybe agents don't want the extra headache?

>.< Ugh.

waylander · Dec 10, 2007

There may be a few to whom it would be a problem.
I queried US agents extensively before I got representation in the UK and no-one ever mentioned it as a problem. I know a number of UK writers who have US agents

June Afternoon · Dec 10, 2007

Did you mention it on the first contact?

Straka · Dec 11, 2007

I submitted and got a nice form letter 7 days later. I was so surprised to see it that quickly! I was actually stoked about my first rejection. Though I am sure that enthusiasm will dissipate quickly. But for now, bird by bird.

waylander · Dec 12, 2007

June Afternoon said:
Did you mention it on the first contact?

Yes. In my query letter

Giant Baby · Dec 12, 2007

Straka said:
I submitted and got a nice form letter 7 days later. I was so surprised to see it that quickly! I was actually stoked about my first rejection. Though I am sure that enthusiasm will dissipate quickly. But for now, bird by bird.

Good for you, Straka! Congrats on your first rejection and welcome to the trenches!

You've got just the right kind of attitude working to handle the long waits and repeated rejections of publishing and agent querying, so my guess is that you'll be snatched up any moment now!
:e2headban

Straka · Dec 12, 2007

Hey thanks. They say misery loves company, but I'm not miserable but it still nice to have people going through similar paces. And I admit, I never thought finding an agent would take so much effort. Its a whole other animal.

ILove2Write · Dec 24, 2007

If you sent a query to Writer's House and it's been nearly 4 months without any word at all, would it be ok to send another query for a different manuscript to the same agent even though they haven't responded to your first one?

Moon Daughter · Dec 24, 2007

ILove2Write said:
If you sent a query to Writer's House and it's been nearly 4 months without any word at all, would it be ok to send another query for a different manuscript to the same agent even though they haven't responded to your first one?

I'd say don't send a query for a different book. After four months, however, I think it would be good to send a status query.

williamfromkc · Dec 31, 2007

Here are some interesting statistics I compiled for fun but may actually be helpful to my fellow writers trying to land a decent agent.
As of today, total agents queried: 24
Number of responses: 12
Average time before response: 6.09 days
Median response time: 5 days
And for agents who have not yet responded:
Average length since query: 14.46
Median length since query: 15.00

Keep in mind that I started queries just before the holidays. I have a theory that agents pretty much stop answering after the second week of December.

Since I'm posting this on a thread related to Writers House, I'll give you those stats too. I sent a query on the 12th of December. It's been 19 days and no response. I sent it directly to Maya after reading her description of her tastes. Plus, I sensed she was the real gate keeper.

ILove2Write · Jan 1, 2008

williamfromkc said:
Here are some interesting statistics I compiled for fun but may actually be helpful to my fellow writers trying to land a decent agent.
As of today, total agents queried: 24
Number of responses: 12
Average time before response: 6.09 days
Median response time: 5 days
And for agents who have not yet responded:
Average length since query: 14.46
Median length since query: 15.00

Keep in mind that I started queries just before the holidays. I have a theory that agents pretty much stop answering after the second week of December.

Since I'm posting this on a thread related to Writers House, I'll give you those stats too. I sent a query on the 12th of December. It's been 19 days and no response. I sent it directly to Maya after reading her description of her tastes. Plus, I sensed she was the real gate keeper.

Were these responses from agents rejections or interests in seeing your work?

williamfromkc · Jan 3, 2008

Writers House

Q: "Were these responses from agents rejections or interests in seeing your work?"

A: Yes

RoccoMom · Jan 4, 2008

Does anyone at WRiter's House rep paranormal mystery?

waylander · Jan 4, 2008

Robin Rue?
http://agentquery.com/agent.aspx?agentid=90

katrina_wooooo · Jan 31, 2008

Hello! I was just wondering if anybody could tell me if Simon Lipskar accepts queries via email, or is he only reachable through snail mail?

caromora · Jan 31, 2008

Simon Lipskar's agentquery.com profile says, "Does not accept email queries." I've usually found agentquery to be up-to-date and pretty reliable, though of course there's no guarantee.

Vandal · Feb 1, 2008

I got a request for a partial from Simon Lipskar two days after I sent in the snail mail query. I sent it to him via email attachment later that day (November 9).

I'm still waiting to hear back.

katrina_wooooo · Feb 3, 2008

Oh, wow! Thanks, caromora, for pointing out that site - I'd never been there before, but it seems like a brilliant resource! And thanks, vandal, for giving me an idea of what sort of schedule I'm looking at. I appreciate the help greatly.

Dragon-lady · Feb 4, 2008

Anyone know who is the best bet at Writer's House for epic fantasy?

waylander · Feb 4, 2008

Merilee Heifetz seems to sell a lot of fantasy according to the reports in Locus magazine

Dragon-lady · Feb 4, 2008

Oooo I've heard of Locus but I'm not subscribed to it! Is it a good thing to get?

Thanks waylander. I'll look her up.

Edit: I love research!

[Agency] Writers House

Azraelsbane

Agony is defeat

bluemoonscribe

June Afternoon

NiennaC

June Afternoon

waylander

Who's going for a beer?

June Afternoon

Straka

Bored Fanatic

waylander

Who's going for a beer?

Giant Baby

Oh, the humanity.

Straka

Bored Fanatic

ILove2Write

Jaws has nightmares too

Moon Daughter

williamfromkc

I'm keeping my day job

ILove2Write

Jaws has nightmares too

williamfromkc

I'm keeping my day job

RoccoMom

waylander

Who's going for a beer?

katrina_wooooo

caromora

Still alive. Kind of.

Vandal

In the Center of things

katrina_wooooo

Dragon-lady

waylander

Who's going for a beer?

Dragon-lady