Talking about Age

KayTKay · Jun 27, 2009

I've gotten mixed responses on this so I'd like to get this cleared up.
When writing a query letter to a publishing agent...shoud you talk about about how old you are if you are a teenager (i.e. something like "I'm a sixteen year old with a finished manuscript").

Some people have told me that would be good and would get you noticed but other people say an agent wouldn't care and it would just make you look more unprofessional.

I'm very confused :/
thanks
Kaila

KTC · Jun 27, 2009

I don't see why you would. I wouldn't put my age in a query. It doesn't matter.

Ken · Jun 27, 2009

... who are the people who told you "it would be good to state your age?" Do they have direct experience with the publishing industry? If so pay them some mind; if not, give them a kick for relaying dubious info.

ChaosTitan · Jun 27, 2009

Let your query letter speak for itself. The only time your age will become an issue is if representation is on the table. If you are underage and unable to sign a legal contract on your own, the agent will need to be informed.

rubarbb · Jun 27, 2009

A query letter asks for no age... let your work speak for itself...

Madisonwrites · Jun 27, 2009

No age in the query letter, but I might mention your age when and if an agent calls you. S/He will need to know for contract signing purposes.

Other than that, don't worry about it. There's plenty of teen authors out there.

Good luck and happy writing!

ORION · Jun 28, 2009

my agent didn't ask how old I was until she asked for my bio...

Shady Lane · Jun 28, 2009

Except that some agents won't work with teenagers, so it's better to state that up front and save both of you a lot of time if that's the case.

That's why there are two sides to this issue.

Talking about Age

KayTKay

KTC

Stand in the Place Where You Live

Ken

ChaosTitan

Around

rubarbb

Serenity

Madisonwrites

The Unicorn Writer

ORION

Sailed away years ago

Shady Lane

my name is hannah