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# of queries responded to last week: 75
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 1
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: SF

# of queries responded to this week: 163
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 1
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: SF


oldest query in the queue: November 30


A list inspired by this week's queries:

* I still don't represent memoirs.

* A debut author of fiction should have completed (and revised) the manuscript before they begin querying.

* Proof-reading is a good idea. So is spelling query correctly.

* Only submit your query to one agent at DMLA. Not multiple agents. (It's in our guidelines.)

* No attachments are accepted on queries.

* The query and sample pages need to be in English.

* Those 37,000 words from NaNoWriMo are not a finished novel.

It's been some weeks since the last query wars post for various reasons. It seems to me that the days are not only growing shorter as we draw closer to winter, but literally losing time. Or perhaps it's all perception. In any case, bringing it up to date....


10/1/2010
# of queries responded to: 147
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 1
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: SF

10/8/2010
# of queries responded to: 214
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 2
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: fantasy (1), thriller (1)

10/15/2010
# of queries responded to: 187
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 1
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: urban fantasy

10/22/2010
# of queries responded to: 290
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 0
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: n/a


oldest query pending: October 15th


And since time is on my mind of late, and this post from John Scalzi keeps popping into my mind, now and then, partially because of his comments regarding my client Jay Lake (who has been battling cancer for the last two years and has a dayjob, a family, and writing deadlines), but also as it's applicable to so many things and not just writing (for instance, agenting, or er... blogging):

"Either you want to write or you don’t, and thinking that you want to write really doesn’t mean anything. There are lots of things I think I’d like to do, and yet if I don’t actually make the time and effort to do them, they don’t get done." --John Scalzi

A few query letters have come my way recently from authors who have only written part of a novel, or have an idea but haven't begun writing, or some variation on that theme. Most of them seem to want some kind of feedback or advice, but, of course, at this stage it's far too early to be contacting an agent or publisher. A novelist with no prior publication history needs to have a complete manuscript to show. Invariably, they seem to mention they don't have the time to write and/or finish the novel without some kind of assurance that it will be well-received.

Now, I certainly don't know their particular situation, or what choice they'd be making to invest the time without whatever guarantee they're seeking. Maybe it's just not the right time for them. Maybe they aren't in a position to make a sacrifice. But maybe they just don't want to take the risk.

If you want to share: What have you chosen not to do in order to pursue your passion to write? What do you do to make the time for it?

# of queries responded to last week: 133
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 0
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: n/a

# of queries responded to this week: 161
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 1
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: paranormal thriller


From the comments on an earlier entry:

what do you do when you _have_ submitted a query, and then due to something or another, you realize your submission contained a mistake, or worse, a missing piece? Is it at all reasonable to say, "I'm sorry, could you please discard what I sent and look at this instead?" or is it best to just write off the submission and try again in the future with a completely different project?

As with many questions of this type, the answer is: "It depends."

I find with submissions where the change is a single sentence or something minor along those lines, that it just makes my inbox feel even more full than it already is. Of course, I always appreciate a carefully vetted and proofread submission.

In the case of neglecting to include what submission guidelines ask for (for example, according to my guidelines, the first five pages), I can understand a replacement submission. However. It is very helpful if it includes all of the material including the text of the original query. Otherwise they end up far apart in the inbox and might get missed.

What I would not encourage are frivolous additional submissions, tiny tweaks, etc. Given the number that comes in every week, this can end up becoming quite an issue. Take the time to read and re-read the query before hitting send. You can always sleep on it and give it fresh eyes in the morning.

Hope that helps.

# of queries responded to this week: 142
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 3
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: fantasy (1), YA contemporary (1), YA urban fantasy (1)


oldest query in the queue: May 18


A sampling of sentences that should not have appeared in my queries (if the writers had read submission guidelines):

"I will assume, if I don't hear back from you within three days, that you are not interested"

"Below, I’m including a short sample from the middle of the book"

"Here are the first three chapters"

"I would love the chance to send you a synopsis"

"I have enclosed my query letter and ten chapters of my book." [said documents attached]


This is your brain on queries. Any questions?

# of queries read this week: 177
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 2
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: contemporary fantasy (1), romantic suspense (1)


oldest query in the queue: May 11


In a recent post, I mentioned that I preferred for people to only query one project at a time; to choose the project that one thought was the best and strongest. By this I meant the most polished, and the most viable for publication, even while fully realizing YMMV.

This comment was prompted by the fact that someone had queried me for 3 different projects in less than 24 hours. I doubt highly they read this blog as they didn't follow the submission guidelines. Nevertheless, in due course, I responded to each email declining their work.

Just a few days later, I received a query for a 4th project. Again, this author did not follow the submission guidelines. I have to admit that I feel somewhat irked since a link to my submission guidelines was included in the responses I sent. So, while I could attribute the first 3 to a lack of research or care, the 4th certainly doesn't have the right to claim same.

I don't know what responding to this person again would accomplish. I think my guidelines are relatively clear and easy to find. Even without a response that includes a direct link to them. What would you do at this point?

Persistence is widely advocated in the pursuit of publication. The first novel queried may not be the first that gains representation. The first novel written may not be the first novel published. Ergo, one is encouraged to try, try again.

I admire persistence. But what does persistence alone achieve? Without a learning process of craft and/or approach, the same actions will yield the same results.

I am NOT saying that an author can't query an agent more than once. I'm just suggesting that doing it without due consideration is a waste. It may waste the author's potential without them realizing it. It may cause an agent to be that much slower in response times due to numerous queries with materials that aren't ready to be submitted, or aren't submitted with enough information to evaluate them.

Some say the query system is broken. I don't think so as I still find clients via queries. But it may have a flaw here and there. And I think this sort of abuse of the system is one of those flaws. Before you query, read -- and follow -- submission guidelines. Be sure that your novel is ready for submission. And don't query again without learning something from the first time.

# of queries read this week: 168
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 3
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: fantasy (2), YA (1)

oldest query in the queue: April 20th


Coming down to the end of the Brenda Novak auction for Diabetes Research in which I am offering to evaluate a novel proposal (that's up to 50 pages of text and up to 5 pages of synopsis). Bidding for my entry ends on Sunday, May 30th! (Some others go through the 31st.)

More details here.

And happy Memorial Day weekend for those State-Side.

# of queries read last week: 100
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 1
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: romance

# of queries read this week: 26
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 0
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: n/a


Last week's stats weren't posted because I was attending the very excellent PennWriters Conference and didn't have the opportunity. On account of this (and those aforementioned pesky wrist injuries reducing my keyboard time), I am also lagging a bit behind the 4 week response period listed on our website. The oldest query in my queue is 4/14/2010. I hope to be caught back up not too long after the upcoming BookExpo.

Meanwhile.... today's topic is multiple queries....


Part the First-- querying multiple agents at the same agency. As usual, your mileage may vary elsewhere, but, as our guidelines indicate, we don't wish to receive multiple queries at our agency.

Most particularly, if you feel the need to ignore this guideline, #1 - don't and #2 - don't leave my sig file pasted into the query you are forwarding to my associate after I have already declined.

Naturally, this does not apply if an agent, of their own volition, suggests you contact one of their colleagues. But otherwise, please just choose one of us.


Part the Second-- sending multiple queries for different projects simultaneously. I don't recommend it. This message brought to you by the letters "p" and "q" and receiving 3 queries from the same author for 3 different projects in less than 24 hours, and none of them with the first five pages. I advise choosing the best and strongest project with which to query. Please query only one project at a time.

# of queries read this week: 268
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 1
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: YA


400+ queries awaiting review
oldest query in the queue: 4/12/2010


Thanks to those who offered suggestions on submission guidelines last week. I'd be happy to entertain more, so if anyone has any further thoughts, please feel free to comment.

I've got an upcoming workshop in which I will talk about -- you guessed it, queries. My goal in this -- as it is with these posts -- is to help those sending queries to avoid common pitfalls and shoot for having their query be in the cream of the crop that garners requests. To that end, I try to look for patterns seen in queries that don't tend to work, as well as those that work quite well, and also anticipate questions people might have.

In the spirit of anticipation (and the possibility of finding future topics for this series of blog posts), if you were to attend such a workshop, what topics would you want to see addressed? And if there was time for Q&A at the end, what would you ask?

# of queries read last week: 118
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 0
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: n/a

# of queries read this week: 180
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 0
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: n/a


Oldest query in the queue: 3/3/2010. If your query was sent prior to that date and has not received a reply, either I did not receive your query or my reply has gone astray.

450+ queries in the queue still awaiting review.

Despite having taken time off from queries back when I had my wrist injury in December, I continue to find it a challenge to keep up with the "up to 4 weeks" response time listed on our website. I have some ongoing issues with those injuries which limits my time at the keyboard. Additionally, the number of queries received has been higher this year than it was last year.

In an effort to be more efficient and (hopefully) provide better response times, I'm re-evaluating my submission guidelines. I plan to have updated information on my website in the near future. This will include a request to include the word query and also the title of your novel in the subject line of your e-query.

What is most helpful to you in submission guidelines? What is least? What questions about queries can be addressed in guidelines without making the specifics overly complicated? I hope to find a balance between an overwhelming amount of information (which will only slow the process down) and providing enough information. Thanks for any insight you can provide from the writer side of the equation.

# of queries read this week: 196
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 0
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: n/a

Around 570 queries still pending.


Wishing for more needles and smaller haystacks...

The pace of arriving queries is still on the rise. Which makes gaining ground in terms of response time somewhat on the daunting side. Particularly when the percentage of those that don't follow guidelines also appears to be increasing. I'm not talking here about people who deviate in their definition of synopsis or something like that. Nor applying rules lawyering (which I'm not excessively prone to in any case). These are barely recognizable as a query letter at all and are usually only a few lines long. Given how easy it is to find our submission guidelines online and numerous articles and sites giving advice and information about the query process, these are puzzling at best. Too often responding to them and sending a link to the guidelines only nets an antagonistic reply.

It's almost inevitable to find one's self feeling that if a person can't or won't make an effort in this scenario, that they aren't a person with whom an agent or publisher will be able to work. After all, it's not as if it's done after finishing the novel, getting an agent, getting a contract, editorial revision, copy-editing, or even seeing the book on the shelves. This is not an easy pursuit nor a casual endeavor. Nor a quick path to fame and riches. It is not (as one person's letter put it this week): "something to try just for the hell of it."

But this is a calling for some. A creative and inspiring journey. Finding those stories keeps the search going... Read the rest of this post

# of queries read last week: 79
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 1
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: fantasy

# of queries read this week: 117
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 1
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: fantasy


Close to 600 queries left in the reading queue

Have read all queries received prior to March 1st


Give yourself the time you need. Lately, have been seeing many queries that come across as rushed. Also, a number of authors jumping into the pool before they should. Some before the novel is even finished. (This week's example: A query in which the author informed me they were working on a novel and expected to be done this summer.) Additionally, even with those who have finished the novel, anxious to get the material out there, the query and synopsis may suffer.

# of queries read this week: 234
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 1
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: steampunk

450+ queries still to go

It's so much easier in these little updates to talk about what a person should _not_ do in a query -- usually based on examples seen throughout the submissions of the week... Why is that? So in the spirit of expressing things positively...

Do...

....finish (and polish!) your novel before you begin to query
....address the query to a specific agent (e.g. Dear Ms. Jackson)
....include your name, email address, postal address, and phone number in the body of the query
....be professional in the query
....use plain text
....pitch one book (even if it's the beginning of a series)
....include in the query package what the agent's guidelines request (in my case: query letter, first five pages of the novel, synopsis of the novel (as a general estimate, 2-3 pages seems like a reasonable length, and more than 5 starts to feel hefty, imo) -- be aware your mileage will vary here
....proff-read before you hit send ;)
....respect those exceptions that prove the rule
....be patient

(not necessarily an exhaustive list)

I've seen tons and tons of negative things said about the query system and about query-writing. What are the positive aspects of the process?

# of queries read this week: 188
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 2
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: fantasy, YA-fantasy


Oldest query currently in queue: 2/19/2010. I have sent replies to all queries received prior to this date. If you sent a query but did not receive a reply, either the query didn't reach me, or my reply was caught in your spam filter and/or eaten by the grue.

Still a little over 500 queries to go.

Still not opening unsolicited attachments (still not king).

Oddly if a query about a type of book I explicitly do not represent garners a reply indicating same (and I know a *lot* of agents who just delete without replying when this happens to them), re-sending that query a few weeks later when there has been no announcement indicating a new agenda to acquire said genre, will not change the result. All this does for me is to slow me down in getting to read the queries that do actually fall into categories that I'm interested in representing. What it indicates to me about the author is they don't care. Not about the other authors submitting. And, not about doing even the barest amount of research.

And speaking of research, an odd thing I've been noticing lately is when I get a query from someone that I think should have the instincts and skills to do it (e.g. they are an investigative journalist, they have many graduate degrees and prominently list their Ph.D.), but they very obviously have not done any. I saw somewhere recently a comment where a person said it had never occurred to them to google search the agent they were interested in sending a submission to.

I'm sure this is wasted on those who read agent blogs. They're out there doing the research, following the guidelines, and giving it 110%. I appreciate that every time I see it in a query. Thank you to those who do that.

# of queries read last week: 135
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 0
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: n/a

# of queries read this week: 133
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 0
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: n/a

500+ queries still awaiting review


Recent commenters inquired along the lines of what percentage of queries I receive actually follow our guidelines....

For the record, our guidelines say to send a query letter, the first five pages, and a synopsis of your novel.

From Saturday, February 20th through Monday, March 1st, I tracked and categorized email queries received on that basis. This amounted to close to 250 queries.

Percentage of submissions that followed the guidelines close enough to pass: 48%. That's right. Slightly less than half.

The other 52% either:

(a) did not include a letter (or sometimes even a salutation of any kind)
(b) did not send the first five pages
(c) included *way* more than five pages (the record was the first five chapters)
(d) didn't include a synopsis
(e) sent attachments
(f) some combination of (a) through (e)

Over 30% of these queries did not include a synopsis (for the purposes of this review, a pitch paragraph in the letter wasn't considered a synopsis -- because, really, it's not).

I've had some questions in the past about the synopsis length, but, as some have pointed out, our website doesn't have anything officially listed. Ergo, I'm somewhat forgiving when it comes to that. I do want it to deliver information in summary (not outline or bullet-point) fashion about the story, the characters, the setting -- you know, those things that go in a book. (I find the ones that don't include the ending perplexing and unhelpful.) As a general estimate, 2-3 pages seems like a reasonable length, and more than 5 starts to feel hefty, imo. They don't have to say everything; they just have to say enough.

For me, the letter, the first five pages, and the synopsis all assist me in making a decision. The letter gives me a feel for the author and their perspective on the book, the first five pages an impression of their writing style and talent, and the synopsis a way to see where the story is going to go and whether it seems marketable. If one (or two) of these are missing, I have less with which to make a decision. It's that simple to me.

Percentage of queries included in this review that I've declined: 0%

No content assessment was made on any of these queries. In fact, they are still waiting to be read as I'm working on those dated during the first week of February.

So... do you send a synopsis if the submission guidelines request one? Why or why not? Are they a challenge or a snap to write? Are they a necessary evil or helpful tool? If you were going to a synopsis workshop, what should it cover to help you? What would you tell other writers about writing a synopsis?

# of queries read this week: 166
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 0
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: n/a

Over 300 queries still in the queue. And not quite a month since queries re-opened. Where does all the time go?


Two things that popped up a lot in queries this week....

-- First-time novelist querying before the book is done. A number of people mentioned that they had started a book, were such and such percentage done, planned to be done by a certain date, etc. If any of these are true, the person sent the query too soon. Finish the book before querying. Better yet, revise the book before querying.

(Yes, the rules are different for nonfiction proposals - read this.)

-- Emailing the query and the sample separately. Please do not do this. Given the amount of incoming email to the query address finding and pairing these up may end up happening after the fact. Which may be too late.

# of queries read this week: 148
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 0 *
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: n/a

* That is to say, no requests on the queries read. However, a previously requested YA partial generated a request for a full manuscript.


First. A BIG thank you to everyone who follows submission guidelines and sends me those crucial _first_ five pages with their query and synopsis.

(And, yes, I'm still working on my synopsis post but got derailed by this fun Amazon / Macmillan thing. And then our email server decided to take some time off without actually filing a vacation request which resulted in random arrivals of backlogged emails for a couple days. All fixed now I hope.)

Second. Professional, articulate queries really do stand out from the crowd. But, here's a few examples from this week (all true) that seemed double-plus-ungood to me:

-- Sending an email to my personal email address and addressing it "To Whom It May Concern" (see also: sending a query via Facebook or any other social media)

-- An email requesting permission to send a query letter (this tends to strike me as similar to a conversation that starts with "can I ask you a question?")

-- Stating that our submission guidelines were carefully reviewed, and then sending the synopsis and (way more than) the first five pages as an attachment

-- Telling me you copyrighted the book already (bonus points for telling me that the reason you did this was so I wouldn't steal your novel)


What do you wish you could go back in time and tell yourself about queries before you sent your first one?

# of queries read this week: 208
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 1
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: thriller


I have no idea how I managed to read almost twice as many queries this week as I did last week. Still have another 200 and change to go....

In the most recent query wars post, a commenter asked whether feedback from a random test audience for their unpublished novel was useful in a query. Based on my reading of their comment, they don't mean professional referrals (see this entry for thoughts on those) or even their own friends and family. Just test readers from their target audience.

I may have written about this in the distant past but since I saw several queries this week that included exactly this sort of thing, maybe it deserves another look.

Getting feedback can be very helpful, whether from a critique group or other test readers. I've heard many writers explain how they are too far inside the story and too close to it to see things and that having another perspective gives them insight. The place to discuss this, though, is not in a query letter. Really, an endorsement works best if it's from someone that the person about to read the story knows (if not personally, then at the very least by reputation). The potential reader also has to have some kind of confidence in that person's opinion.

To be plain: The opinions of random test readers are incredibly unlikely to be relevant. I don't know them. So how much weight could their opinion -- good or bad -- possibly have for me?

Or, let me put it this way: If you were in your local bookstore and a complete stranger walked up to you and recommended a book, what would your reaction be? What would you feel or think, about either them or the book? What effect would it have on your decision to spend your hard-earned cash and rare-spare-time on that book?

# of queries read this week: 108
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 1
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: fantasy


Most confusing query this week -- the one that claims my webpage says I do not normally accept science fiction or fantasy...

So, a couple people took guesses on the # of queries I'd have on Monday morning after re-opening to queries on 1/15. And a couple people wanted to know the actual answer. My own guess was 196. Monday morning after email was sorted out, it was 169. Which represents Friday, Saturday, Sunday and ridiculously early Monday.

Thank you, mizkit - your guess made me laugh.

Yes, I did get one at exactly 12:00 AM on 1/15.

At this point, representing a week's worth of queries, the count now stands at 292. Which means, yes, based on the number above, I'm already lagging a bit.

Answering other questions posed....

....if you neglected to send a synopsis with your query (even if you said in the query that there was a synopsis), I still read the query and the pages and decided on that basis.

....on that issue of other questions about a synopsis and when it's requested, look for a post coming on the synopsis (the dreaded synopsis) in the near future.

....to those that asked about their pre-hiatus query. First, check your spam filters. I think everyone that has asked so far was sent a reply. Second, I have read - and responded to - all queries received prior to the hiatus. Which started on December 11 and ran up to January 15.

# of queries read this week: 146
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 1
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: YA

* I had mixed feelings about closing queries. I'd never done it before. But between my injuries and the holidays, something had to give, so I tried it out. And... I still have mixed feelings about it.

* I have now answered all the queries that came in before the hiatus. I didn't really get a "break" per se since I only completed those at the start of this week, but I must say it's nice to feel caught up on something for a few moments.

* Discovered that someone who goes through the same service provider as our agency must be using it in a spamming sort of way because I have been repeatedly blocked by comcast. So if you are using a comcast email, I can't reply to you. This has been going on for at least a week. I've filled out the form at comcast to remove us from the spam blocking list several times and by the next morning we are right back on there. Other than that, if you didn't get a reply and sent your query before Dec 11th, I didn't get your query.

* During the query hiatus, there were those who, for whatever reason, were not aware of this change of circumstance and sent queries regardless. I had a form response sent to them indicating they could resubmit after queries were open again. This form response included a link to our submission guidelines. Sure enough this morning someone resubmitted. And guess what? They didn't follow the guidelines. I just don't understand.

* So, now accepting queries again. Please follow these submission guidelines and send your query to our info email. I'm taking best guesses as to what number the recently empty query inbox will display on Monday..... (I'm told my own pick is too conservative.)

# of queries read this week: 156
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 0
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: n/a

Note: Still closed to queries and catching up from the sprains (which are better but still not fully healed). The queries referenced above pre-date the query hiatus. Any queries received during this time should be getting a reply indicating authors can resubmit after January 15th.



When I posted my 2009 query stats on Monday, I mentioned that out of the 47 partial- and full-manuscripts I had requested throughout the year, 3 of those had not garnered a submission, or, indeed, even a reply. In each case I sent a follow-up request a few days later just in case my initial request had been tagged as spam. In case anyone is curious, 4 of the 2008 requests remain MIA as well.

A number of people in comments seemed to be somewhat baffled about these non-responders. A few even seemed a little put out (not a reaction I anticipated). Other than the possible spam-trap, four things occurred to me:

(1) Upon receipt of this request, panic ensued and manic revisions commenced. I hereby reiterate (and other agents have said the same) -- don't query before you're actually ready. But, evenso, should this occur, one supposes the author could still get in touch when they are finally confident in the submission again. While it's possible the agent's circumstances may have changed and they will have to pass at that time, in most situations that probably won't be the case.

(2) Said author received a prior request for the material from elsewhere, and granted an exclusive. In this scenario, I recommend still letting those who have subsequently made requests know the situation. Agent Janet says "exclusives STINK" but I can think of reasons an author might grant one. Based on some horror stories I have heard, though, the author should be sure to set a reasonable time limit should they choose this route.

(3) Author netted an agent extremely quickly. Agent response times aren't all the same, and apparently some absorb manuscripts by osmosis off their desks. Wrist injuries aside, I do try to respond to queries within the 4 week window listed in our submission guidelines but I know my schedule for reading isn't always cooperative with other demands (you know, made by those client people). I think I would still respond to a request for submission in this case and let the agent know. I'm not sure why a person wouldn't do that.

(4) Just as writers may not be aware of certain things going on in an agent's life (unless they blog or twitter them and the writer happens to be following same), an agent may not know if something else has happened to cause a delay in responding. Unexpected events cause unanticipated effects. Life happens.

Anyone have any other scenarios to suggest?

Here's the last 3 weeks of stats....

This was Thanksgiving week
# of queries read: 77
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 0

This was recover from Thanksgiving week
# of queries read: 38
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 0

Current week:
# of queries read this week: 81
# of partials/manuscripts requested

This was get-unjustly-attacked-by-an-immovable-object week which has resulted in a severely sprained ankle that I am supposed to stay off of, as well as a sprained wrist that I am not supposed to use. I am typing one-handed which is laborious and frustrating.

With much regret, between this and the holidays, I have concluded that I will have to close queries for a short while. So, as of today, I am closing queries until January 15th. I will do my best to work on queries currently in the queue so please do not feel you need to re-submit at this time. However, I anticipate being a bit behind the four week response time listed on our official website. Your patience is much appreciated.

# of queries read this week: 272
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 0
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: n/a


A lot of people have good luck rituals. Lucky ties, shirts, jewelery, etc. Throwing salt over their shoulder. Not stepping on cracks. And so on. Many people believe that Friday the 13th is unlucky. For me, however, this day seems auspicious: it's the first time my query folder has been under 200 since early April (pre London Book Fair). On the other hand, I can remember a time that I used to be surprised that it got over 100.

On this day, Friday the 13th, I bring you some query letter superstitions:

* What time of year a query is sent makes a difference.
* A random sampling of people liking the book guarantees it will sell widely.
* Spell-checking and proof-reading are done by copy-editors and therefore the manuscript doesn't need that beforehand.
* Arguing with a rejection will change the agent's mind.
* Sending the same exact query 3 weeks later will get a different reply.
* In the same vein, repeat queries over the course of many months will wear an agent down until they agree to representation.
* Agents never remember who they meet and what they've requested, so it's okay to lie about that. This is particularly successful if referencing a conference the agent has never attended.
* You can't get published without an agent; you can't get an agent without being published.

Some agent superstitions about queries:
* It is bad luck to read queries on vacation, on birthdays, and during the holiday season.
* Burying a query at the cross-roads means it won't come back to haunt you.
* Don't feed them after midnight or get them wet.
* They breed while you sleep. (Oh, wait. That one's true.)

What query superstitions can you think of? Or, do you do anything that smacks of ritual when you send a query out? What is it and what is it supposed to augment/prevent?

# of queries read this week: 204
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 1
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: fantasy

In honor of the holiday....

How queries are like--

--zombies: sometimes they eat your brain

--ghosts: they often aren't laid to rest until unfinished business has been resolved

--witches: they weigh the same as a duck

--vampires: despite popular mythology, holy symbols have no effect

--werewolves: just when you think you're getting to know them, they change into something else

--Frankenstein: they're afraid of fire (and possibly pitchforks)

--bunnies: what do they need such good eyesight for anyway?

--sparklepires: when you meet the right one for you, you'll know

--Halloween candy: sometimes they're a trick; sometimes they're a treat

Anyone have any others?

Happy Halloween!

# of queries read this week: 203
# of partial/full manuscripts requested: 1
genre of partial/full manuscripts requested: fantasy


Though it might not be apparent from this weekly posting, I'm actually not a big fan of statistics. There are so frequently other variables to take into account. For example, looking at the numbers above one might think an author had only 1/2 of 1% chance of garnering a request based on a query. Which is, well, technically true (this week). But there a host of other factors. Does the book fall into a category the agent is interested in representing (or, even reading)? Did the query contain the information needed to actually make a decision possible? (Too amazed at queries that actually say barely anything about the book and also don't include the first five pages as per our submission guidelines.) Did the query convey an impression of a professional author (e.g. spell-checking and at least a vague attention to grammar would be a plus)? It hardly seems fair that these queries should count but they do mean that good queries actually have a higher chance than it at first seems on the surface.

Lately, I've noticed some people including statistics in queries. And, as an agent assessing a work, I find them particularly useless. Sure, one needs to have a readership for one's story, but, again, there seem to be factors not taken into consideration.

These queries say things like x% of people in the U.S. are women and my book is about women therefore I will have an audience of x% of people in the U.S.; or, x% of people have an alcoholic / cancer victim / popular over-diagnosed disease of this year / etc. in their immediate family; or x% of people are of this or that racial ethnicity, religious persuasion, have this or that alternative lifestyle, etc. and so forth. Or x% of people in the world are secretly paranormal magical creatures, and therefore.... Well, you get the idea.

Many of the queries that cite these statistics seem to make an odd assumption. And this is that everyone of whatever vector they've chosen is a reader. Would that it were so. These queries do not take into account how things like literacy rates or capacity for leisure income being spent on books (particularly in this economy) impact any of these groups. Did you know there are people who can't even conceive of the notion of reading for pleasure? Seriously.

But most of all, the implicit assumption here doesn't address the fact that the story itself still needs to be well-written and have a hook of its own. The statistical group on its own just isn't sufficient. If it's simply treated as marketable window-dressing, it doesn't belong there. Would I read a book with a strong cultural basis? Yes. Western, Middle-Eastern, Asian, Slavic, etc. I'm all for it. Do I represent authors who have novels with characters that are living alternative lifestyles? Why, yes, I do. But whatever flavor or texture the world in the book might have, it's the story that carries the day.

Just out of curiosity: Is there a statistic that would make you pick up a book and read it based on that alone?

# of queries read this week: 238
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 0
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: n/a

Still over 300 queries in the queue. I have read all queries dated prior to Sept 1st.


Oh, wise writers, who read blogs and research agents (those humble servants of writers)...

How can those who do not take advantage of information freely given across the internets be reached? I beg of thee, reveal the secret to me so that I may have a larger percentage of queries which contain the information needed to actually assess them. Last week, roughly 30% of queries had attachments (a few were even entirely attachments), did not include the first five pages, barely even mentioned the genre of the book (let alone had a pitch or summary of any kind), etc. This week it seems closer to half. No exaggeration.

And, though, writers following guidelines shall be lifted up in praise, and shall dine upon pomegranates in the oasis.... Still, those others do slow the ebb and flow of the tide, and cause gnashing of teeth and consuming of comfort food. Also, to no avail as their queries cannot be adequately reviewed without the information requested. Yet still they must be answered, and thus the resources of the kindgom are reduced.

Oh, wise writers, it is known far and wide that the query system is an inexact science practiced on the divining of a creative art. Its effectiveness is limited by the unworthy application of guidelines which nevertheless make the attempt to find a match between writer and agent, and so then proceed unto the glories and tribulations of publication.

In this golden age of submissions via the magic of the internets, it has been foretold that many will query, yet few will query wisely and well. Hasten not, after spending your days, your weeks, your months, your years, stolen from your virtuous families and friends, while writing your dream. Pause. Consider. Take the time your story deserves to present it to those who seek it. Or.... query in haste, repent at leisure.