I sent my query to the wrong Mary.

RexZentah · Sep 28, 2011

I sent my query to the wrong Mary at a mid-sized agency and got a quick rejection.

How long do I have to wait to send it to the right one?

Why are there so many agents with the same first name at these agencies. I need to do my querying at night when everyone's asleep. I had so many distractions today.

Little Ming · Sep 28, 2011

This might be better in the Ask the Agent forum.

But, as to your question, if the agency does not have a policy against querying multiple agents, then I say you can query right now.

jjdebenedictis · Sep 28, 2011

It's kinda self-defeating to blame others for your own mistakes. If you habitually think of yourself as a victim, that can lead to a fatalism that prompts you to give up on pursuing your dreams.

It's just as harmful to beat yourself up over mistakes, of course, but the healthy mindset is to own your mistakes, forgive yourself for them, then try to learn from them.

starscape · Sep 29, 2011

I don't think THIS Mary has forwarded your query to the other Mary.

So perhaps you can just query the right Mary again, even though both Mary-s are in the same agency.

RexZentah · Sep 29, 2011

I think this is perfect in QUERY HELL.

Great, now I have someone blaming me for other's transgressions! Yes, if you had somebody crying all day where you work...

Yes, they have a policy against querying multiple agents there and claim that they will pass the manuscript onto the best agent. They rejected in a minute. So, why didn't they pass Booger Bob onto the agent for Barfalicious (ficticious book)? Urg!

J.W. · Sep 29, 2011

This post is better suited in Ask the Agent forum.

Chances are you're going to be querying dozens of agents, so I wouldn't worry about it. Just send it again. If it gets rejected, move on to the next batch of agents on your querying list.

Theo81 · Sep 29, 2011

RexZentah said:
I think this is perfect in QUERY HELL.

Great, now I have someone blaming me for other's transgressions! Yes, if you had somebody crying all day where you work...

Yes, they have a policy against querying multiple agents there and claim that they will pass the manuscript onto the best agent. They rejected in a minute. So, why didn't they pass Booger Bob onto the agent for Barfalicious (ficticious book)? Urg!

*wielder of the zero sympathy stick*

You could always try sending things on your own time rather than from at work. Or when you are able to concentrate.

And given the direction we're going in, I call port to Rejections And Dejections. Or are we going to end up in TIO? Let me know and I'll put the popcorn on.

And if you want to know the answer to your question, try the appropriate SYW forum.

katiemac · Sep 29, 2011

Moved from SYW Query Hell.

Sage · Sep 29, 2011

RexZentah said:
I think this is perfect in QUERY HELL.

Great, now I have someone blaming me for other's transgressions!

What other? You sent the e-mail to the wrong person.

RexZentah said:
Yes, they have a policy against querying multiple agents there and claim that they will pass the manuscript onto the best agent. They rejected in a minute. So, why didn't they pass Booger Bob onto the agent for Barfalicious (ficticious book)? Urg!

Because maybe she took a look at it, saw it wasn't right for the other Mary either, and rejected. Or maybe she called across the office, "Hey, Other Mary, do you want a booger book?" and Other Mary said, "No, boogers were so last year." Or maybe she said, "Ew, boogers, no way" and rejected instantly because, of course, it was addressed to her and at her discretion whether to pass it on or not.

It's a bummer, but move on to the next agent and try the right Mary with your next book

Lucy · Sep 29, 2011

RexZentah said:
Great, now I have someone blaming me for other's transgressions! Yes, if you had somebody crying all day where you work...

Yes, they have a policy against querying multiple agents there and claim that they will pass the manuscript onto the best agent. They rejected in a minute. So, why didn't they pass Booger Bob onto the agent for Barfalicious (ficticious book)? Urg!

1. The only transgression was yours. You didn't send your query to the right person. The "wrong" agent surely didn't ask you for the query.

2. You query while at work? Does your employer know?

3. If they have a policy about querying multiple agents, follow their policy.

This really isn't difficult. It just takes discipline. Buck up.

RexZentah · Sep 29, 2011

On to the next Mary. Some do. Some don't. Who's next?

Phaeal · Sep 29, 2011

Obsessive double and triple checking for the win!

Cyia · Sep 29, 2011

If they have a no multiple submissions policy, then you don't email it to the other Mary.

Miss Plum · Sep 29, 2011

I say even if they DO have a "no multiple submissions" policy, you query the Other Mary. Your first was a mistake, not a submission.

The worst they can do is say No.

Susan Coffin · Sep 30, 2011

You made an error, Rex. Mistakes happen.

I agree with Ms. Plum. You simply sent your query to the wrong Mary, which I don't think qualifies as a submission. I would just send the query to her and not worry about it.

Jamesaritchie · Sep 30, 2011

Just because an agency says they pass a query along to the right person does not mean everything gets passed along. If one agent reads something, and believe sit truly sucks, or knows it isn't right for anyone there, she should, and does, reject it out of hand.

But if you know the right agent never saw it, there's no reason to wait before sending it to her. If she didn't see it, there's no way she will know it was ever sent before.

I sent my query to the wrong Mary.

RexZentah

Little Ming

jjdebenedictis

is watching you via her avatar

starscape

Busy with a number of networks

RexZentah

J.W.

Theo81

katiemac

Five by Five

Sage

Our Lady of Parentheticals

Lucy

sky with diamonds

RexZentah

Phaeal

Whatever I did, I didn't do it.

Cyia

Rewriting My Destiny

Miss Plum

Susan Coffin

Tell it like it Is

Jamesaritchie