I think everyone should allow...

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ccarver30

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email queries. How dumb to have to waste paper and postage to get the same result. What do you think?

(As far as partials/manuscripts go, I can maybe understand why- to take notes would be far more difficult on a computer than on paper.)
 
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It's easier to reject an email query and it's easier to send one that's not quite up to standard. At least with paper queries there's more chance you'll spot a typo before you seal the envelope and send it.
 

Birol

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That's a good question right now.
The paper and toner could still go to waste. Many people don't like to read on the screen or they don't have time to read queries while at the office. That time is for other things, so submissions and queries are printed out and taken with them to read elsewhere.
 

RG570

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To date, I've only contacted people who deal with email. I'm shocked at how many are unwilling to change the way they do things. Of course, now I realize how many agents there are who don't, and I imagine I'll run out of email-friendly people soon.

I hate snail mail. It makes no sense. It's not just a waste of paper and ink, but a waste of fuel as well. And a hassle. Grr.
 
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Why should an agent pay to print out stuff when you could do it for them?
 

Melanie Lane

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I first contact the agents that take equeries, wait until they all reject me or request partials, and then send out mail ones. You save money, time, and the pain of rejection is dulled a bit from the fact that, hey, it's the 'net. You can delete an email. You have to burn a query letter. :)

(As far as partials/manuscripts go, I can maybe understand why- to take notes would be far more difficult on a computer than on paper.)

Agreed there, as well. I personally can't edit my stuff worth a darned unless they're on paper. It must be the magical vibes of the computer screen...:D
 

Namatu

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I like paper. I like paper rejections. They're proof of my efforts, even if they are rejections. I'm happy to email queries if that's what the agent wants, but those rejections mean less to me, and that makes absolutely no sense save for the lack of paper. (I don't print them out - they're rejections!)
 

Will Lavender

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I agree with the OP.

I sent probably 30 queries, all of them to legitimate agencies, all of them via e-mail.

In fact, as I was browsing through Preditors&Editors, I began to notice that it's pretty rare for agencies to ask for snail mail submissions anymore. There are also agencies that tell you on the main page they want snail mail submissions, but once you get into particular agents they ask for e-mail.

As someone else said, it's amazing how these places have changed how they do business in such a short time.
 

janetbellinger

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I'd rather get an email rejection than a paper one. There is something about the sight of my own handwriting on a letter I'm receiving that send me into hiding.
 

Cyjon

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I agree that I wish everyone accepted email queries. I imagine part of the reason some don't is simply the spam effect. I don't mean spam for cheap Viagra and Nigerian fortunes, just that it's simply too easy for authors to send a zillion queries to mags they don't really have a chance with. If they have to take the time to stuff an envelope, they'll be a little more selective.
 

janetbellinger

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True, but in other ways it cuts down on reading for the agents and editors. Usually the requirements for email are query only. Then, if the agent or editor is interested, he or she will request a partial or full. If she isn't, then she doesn't have to wade through three chapters of a novel that doesn't engage her. With email queries, she can select what she wants to read and avert the rest. She may receive more email queries but she'll receive less unsolicited manuscripts or partial manuscripts.

I agree that I wish everyone accepted email queries. I imagine part of the reason some don't is simply the spam effect. I don't mean spam for cheap Viagra and Nigerian fortunes, just that it's simply too easy for authors to send a zillion queries to mags they don't really have a chance with. If they have to take the time to stuff an envelope, they'll be a little more selective.
 
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Tish Davidson

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I like paper. I like paper rejections. They're proof of my efforts, even if they are rejections. I'm happy to email queries if that's what the agent wants, but those rejections mean less to me, and that makes absolutely no sense save for the lack of paper. (I don't print them out - they're rejections!)


Plus, if you are taking deductions for your writing business and not yet making a profit, rejection letters are proof to the IRS that you are actively participating in the business. Of course, e-mail rejections do this too, but they are harder to track down and easier to lose.

My biggest objection to e-mail queries and submissions is the wanton randomness with which some would-be authors send them out whether they are appropriate to the market/agent or not.

I also think that people who limit themselves to e-submissions, unless they are overseas and mailing costs are prohibitive, are foolish. Research the market and sent the best-targeted query or submission you can, not the one that is most convenient for you. If you insist on doing only e-queries, you are being just as rigid as the agents you are complaining about who insist only on paper queries.
 
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ccarver30

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Plus, if you are taking deductions for your writing business and not yet making a profit, rejection letters are proof to the IRS that you are actively participating in the business. Of course, e-mail rejections do this too, but they are harder to track down and easier to use.

My biggest objection to e-mail queries and submissions is the wanton randomness with which some would-be authors send the out whether they are appropriate to the market/agent or not.

I also think that people who limit themselves to e-submissions, unless they are overseas and mailing costs are prohibitive, are foolish. Research the market and sent the best-targeted query or submission you can, not the one that is most convenient for you. If you insist on doing only e-queries, you are being just as rigid as the agents you are complaining about who insist only on paper queries.

Agree. *eyeballs snail mail query that is sitting on my desk waiting to be sent*
 

Will Lavender

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I also think that people who limit themselves to e-submissions, unless they are overseas and mailing costs are prohibitive, are foolish. Research the market and sent the best-targeted query or submission you can, not the one that is most convenient for you. If you insist on doing only e-queries, you are being just as rigid as the agents you are complaining about who insist only on paper queries.

This is true.

But as I said above, many of the bigger agencies (perhaps even most) ask for e-mail queries. Or at least their individual agents do. I think I e-mailed pretty much all the major agencies and a few smaller ones, and luckily was offerred representation.
 

ink wench

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Plus, if you are taking deductions for your writing business and not yet making a profit, rejection letters are proof to the IRS that you are actively participating in the business. Of course, e-mail rejections do this too, but they are harder to track down and easier to use.

If they are even available. Many agents say they simply don't bother responding to email queries if it's a rejection. So... proof? Nope.

My plan is to query by snail mail any agent who specifically says they don't respond to rejected e-queries. Bleh. If I had to work to get that rejection, I want to agent to work to send it. :D
 

Claudia Gray

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I imagine that eventually all agencies will accept e-mail queries -- but, like everything else in publishing, the change will be veeeeeeery slow. ;)
 

kristie911

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I still like snail mail queries the best. I've sent very, very few e-mail queries. I just think the heavy weight paper, the printed envelopes, look more professional. And they make me feel more professional. I guess I'm in the minority. :)
 

Namatu

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Plus, if you are taking deductions for your writing business and not yet making a profit, rejection letters are proof to the IRS that you are actively participating in the business. Of course, e-mail rejections do this too, but they are harder to track down and easier to use.
That's another good reason. I'm not going to print out every email rejection, and bad things can happen to electronic data and archives.
 

Namatu

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I still like snail mail queries the best. I've sent very, very few e-mail queries. I just think the heavy weight paper, the printed envelopes, look more professional. And they make me feel more professional. I guess I'm in the minority. :)
Welcome to the minority, Kristie. It's very spacious here, but there are envelopes and labels, nice paper, and stamps.
 

Storyteller5

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I still like snail mail queries the best. I've sent very, very few e-mail queries. I just think the heavy weight paper, the printed envelopes, look more professional. And they make me feel more professional. I guess I'm in the minority. :)

Welcome to the minority, Kristie. It's very spacious here, but there are envelopes and labels, nice paper, and stamps.

May I join too? I like the feel of the paper in my hands.

I think society as a whole is too impatient and becoming too dependent on instant feedback-instant gratification. :)
 
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I've never sent an e-query, proposal or submission. Many agents in the UK specify NO email queries and no emails with attachments. I've yet to find one that only takes e-queries and I can well understand why this should be the case. You want your work published in book form, so submit it that way.

I've certainly not noticed a change over to e-queries; they're still definitely in the minority over here.
 

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HATE, Hate, Hate snail mail queries! Out here in "mountain country" we have to get our mail at the post office. Nothing worse than finding your self-adressed envelope and making a fool of yourself by crying in public!
 
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The woman in my local Post Office knows me well by now. "Return postage, first class to London, is it? Hopefully this one won't be coming back." :D
 
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