Some questions regarding querying

Eddyz Aquila · Jun 19, 2010

So in order to take a break from all of the editing, I started working on the query letter and the list of agents I will be submitting to once everything is done. I have a copy of Guide to Literary Agents from 2009 and selected around 55 agencies, and as some of them have different submission guidelines, I came here to ask about some of them.

- bio of the author - what am I supposed to include in it? birthdate, place of birth, last school graduated and current residence? anything else?
- credentials - some of them ask for credentials, but I have none - I write none?
- query letter and synopsis in the query itself - query letter and synopsis immediately after the body of the query?
- simultaneous submissions - when they do not say anything about multiple submissions to agents, is it okay to submit to more than one?

For the moment, just these.
I would appreciate if anyone could give some meaningful thoughts regarding this.

Ryan_Sullivan · Jun 19, 2010

Eddyz Aquila said:
So in order to take a break from all of the editing, I started working on the query letter and the list of agents I will be submitting to once everything is done. I have a copy of Guide to Literary Agents from 2009 and selected around 55 agencies, and as some of them have different submission guidelines, I came here to ask about some of them.

- bio of the author - what am I supposed to include in it? birthdate, place of birth, last school graduated and current residence? anything else?
- credentials - some of them ask for credentials, but I have none - I write none?
- query letter and synopsis in the query itself - query letter and synopsis immediately after the body of the query?
- simultaneous submissions - when they do not say anything about multiple submissions to agents, is it okay to submit to more than one?

For the moment, just these.
I would appreciate if anyone could give some meaningful thoughts regarding this.

1. Bio and credentials are similar. If you have anything that could be helpful, put them there--any education, job experience, prior writing experience, etc. If you don't have anything to say there, don't say anything at all.

2. Some agents want a separate synopsis--as in a 2 page (or however much they specify) full synopsis of the work, beyond the query. Others just want a basic query with a synopsis paragraph. Short and sweet is always best.

3. It's never a good idea to submit to multiple agents within the same agency. You can, however submit to other agencies, usually. Be sure to read whether or not you can submit to multiple agents (one at a time) within the agency, and make the best choice.

suki · Jun 19, 2010

While the Guide isn't a bad resource, the most up to date info is online - check the agent's/agency's website to double check submission guidelines and preferences. And you can double check response times/signings in Beware & Background Checks.

Eddyz Aquila said:
So in order to take a break from all of the editing, I started working on the query letter and the list of agents I will be submitting to once everything is done. I have a copy of Guide to Literary Agents from 2009 and selected around 55 agencies, and as some of them have different submission guidelines, I came here to ask about some of them.

- bio of the author - what am I supposed to include in it? birthdate, place of birth, last school graduated and current residence? anything else?

Only include writing-related credentials or background specifically related to the book. So, if you have some very special experience that relates to the plot of your book, maybe include that. But otherwise, don't include any bio at all. If an agent specifically states author's bio, simply state this is your first novel.

- credentials - some of them ask for credentials, but I have none - I write none?

If you have no prior publications, then you just don't include any.

- query letter and synopsis in the query itself - query letter and synopsis immediately after the body of the query?

Unless the agent/agency specifically requests a synopsis in addition to a query, merely include the short pitch in the query.

- simultaneous submissions - when they do not say anything about multiple submissions to agents, is it okay to submit to more than one?

Most agents assume you are querying multiple agents at once, and you need not mention that unless the submission guidelines specifically request that you do so - and then you can merely say something like, "While I believe TITLE would be a good fit with your list, I am querying other agents as well." Again, you only need include this for those few agents who specifically request that you state whether you are querying others.

What you should not do is query different agents in the same agency at the same time.

And pay particular attention to whether a no form one agent = a no from all of the agents in the agency. If it does, choose the agent to query carefully, as you can only query one per project. But, if the agency doesn't have a no from one = a no from all, then you can query other agents in the agency after one or more of the other agency agents rejects the project.

For the moment, just these.
I would appreciate if anyone could give some meaningful thoughts regarding this.

Good luck.

~suki

Eddyz Aquila · Jun 19, 2010

I was referring to agencies, not agents, so my bad, but thank you for the comments!

Ryan_Sullivan · Jun 19, 2010

Eddyz Aquila said:
I was referring to agencies, not agents, so my bad, but thank you for the comments!

You definitely want to treat agents individually, rather than go according to the agency. Many agents have guidelines or preferences that may be different than the agency's.

Eddyz Aquila · Jun 19, 2010

Ryan_Sullivan said:
You definitely want to treat agents individually, rather than go according to the agency. Many agents have guidelines or preferences that may be different than the agency's.

So let's say, I query an agent inside an agency, he refuses me, but it's not a refusal=refusal from the whole agency, so I go query another agent and he accepts it, just as Suki said. That generally works or when one fellow agent from the same company refuses an author the other agent is reluctant to accept?

scope · Jun 19, 2010

Eddyz Aquila said:
So let's say, I query an agent inside an agency, he refuses me, but it's not a refusal=refusal from the whole agency, so I go query another agent and he accepts it, just as Suki said. That generally works or when one fellow agent from the same company refuses an author the other agent is reluctant to accept?

Ryan and suki have already given yu the perfect advice. My suggestion -- follow what they said. As far as the above is concerned, it's really unusual for an agent within one agency to take you on after another agent at the same agency previously rejected your query and/or proposal, synopsis, partial, or full. While it happens once in a while, I'd wait about 6 months before submitting to a different agent.

Ryan_Sullivan · Jun 19, 2010

Eddyz Aquila said:
So let's say, I query an agent inside an agency, he refuses me, but it's not a refusal=refusal from the whole agency, so I go query another agent and he accepts it, just as Suki said. That generally works or when one fellow agent from the same company refuses an author the other agent is reluctant to accept?

It depends. For example, Andrea Brown Literary says that one refusal is equal to a refusal from everyone in the agency. But, Writers House allows you to query anybody within the agency (just not at the same time). Agency websites usually state this. If it specifies a rejection is a rejection from all, follow that. If there are no specifications, you should be safe querying one at a time.

Eddyz Aquila · Jun 20, 2010

Thank you everyone

Eddyz Aquila · Jun 22, 2010

Another question, and this time im in a serious dilemma.

Since I live far away from the US, and I will be querying US agents, I skipped the ones who request an SASE because it would take a fortune to send out all the manuscripts if they request a partial or a full.

So, how do I tell them nicely that its somewhat impossible to send a manuscript all across the ocean and half of Europe and that I can only send by e-mail?

Or any other ideas? I'm lost.

cate townsend · Jun 22, 2010

If an agent requests a partial or full via the mail, you can send with instructions to recycle the pages after reviewing. But most agents request material via email, anyway.

If you don't want to include SASEs with your queries, you can always put a note at the bottom of the letter saying you'll assume it's a pass if you do not hear from them via other methods you provide - phone or email. Trust me - if an agent likes your query and wants to see more material, they will get in touch with you, no matter where you live.

DeadlyAccurate · Jun 22, 2010

Eddyz Aquila said:
So, how do I tell them nicely that its somewhat impossible to send a manuscript all across the ocean and half of Europe and that I can only send by e-mail.

Because of the cost involved, I think I would send a polite email saying just this and asking if they'd consider an email sub. If they won't, you'll have to decide if it's worth the cost.

Eddyz Aquila · Jun 28, 2010

Thanks everyone

I decided that for partial and full requests I will reply to the agent/agency if I could send it by e-mail because of the cost involved, and if it is an agency I feel it might work out well with, I will send them a hard copy of the manuscript.

Hope it goes well.

Ryan_Sullivan · Jun 28, 2010

Eddyz Aquila said:
Thanks everyone

I decided that for partial and full requests I will reply to the agent/agency if I could send it by e-mail because of the cost involved, and if it is an agency I feel it might work out well with, I will send them a hard copy of the manuscript.

Hope it goes well.

I wouldn't worry about this. More and more agents seem to be fine with e-submissions. If they want to see it, they're likely to work with you.

Also, have you considered querying in the UK? It may be a bit easier for you to work with. Be sure to figure out where the best market would be--they're surprisingly different sometimes.

shaldna · Jun 29, 2010

Eddyz Aquila said:
- bio of the author - what am I supposed to include in it? birthdate, place of birth, last school graduated and current residence? anything else?

A couple of lines on who you are, what's interesting about you.

- credentials - some of them ask for credentials, but I have none - I write none?

This is fine, alot of people don't have any. However, depending on what you write, what you include here can vary. For instance, if you write about terrorism and you spent 10 years as a bomb disposal expert, then tell them about it.

- query letter and synopsis in the query itself - query letter and synopsis immediately after the body of the query?

I treat them as two separte documents.

- simultaneous submissions - when they do not say anything about multiple submissions to agents, is it okay to submit to more than one?

Sure is.

Eddyz Aquila · Jun 29, 2010

Ryan_Sullivan said:
Also, have you considered querying in the UK? It may be a bit easier for you to work with. Be sure to figure out where the best market would be--they're surprisingly different sometimes.

I will be querying UK agents as well

Thank you Shaldna and everyone else.

Some questions regarding querying

Eddyz Aquila

Noob Writers United

Ryan_Sullivan

Agented YA Writer

suki

Opinionated

Eddyz Aquila

Noob Writers United

Ryan_Sullivan

Agented YA Writer

Eddyz Aquila

Noob Writers United

scope

Commonsensical Maverick

Ryan_Sullivan

Agented YA Writer

Eddyz Aquila

Noob Writers United

Eddyz Aquila

Noob Writers United

cate townsend

DeadlyAccurate

Absolutely Fazed

Eddyz Aquila

Noob Writers United

Ryan_Sullivan

Agented YA Writer

shaldna

The cake is a lie. But still cake.

Eddyz Aquila

Noob Writers United