George: I'm amazed, and occasionally appalled, at the variety of email queries that we get. Some are short and sweet, often uninformative—the equivalent of 'hi, I wrote a novel and want representation. You can see it on my website...'—and some are long and rambling.
Email seems to create different expectations for writers as to what's acceptable as a query. I don't personally care whether a query follows a particular form, but it's still a sales document, and it needs to sell the writer's 'product' to me. Selling a non-fiction manuscript especially means everything that selling involves: describing the work, comparing it to others, distinguishing it in some way, prompting the reader to act.
Joan: I think what I notice most about queries now is that they are so often a mass mailing. While I believe it is necessary for a writer to contact many agents, I admit calling me Mr. Timberlake or Madam (with or without connotations) puts me off—or worse, receiving a query with no names at all.
George: And we got one recently addressed “To my new agent.” Presumptuousness or aggressive marketing?
Joan: On our website, we explain what information we need to see. Having the query in the format that we requested or at least close to it makes the process easier and more efficient for everyone. In addition, when a writer reads our specifications for the query, the writer can also see what types of manuscripts we're looking for.
George: Janet Reid has a good site where she invites writers to send query letters to be evaluated, at http://queryshark.blogspot.com. She's interested in fiction, but a lot of her comments are true for non-fiction, as well. Here's the obvious: if your query is not well written, why would an agent think that the actual manuscript is any better? Email is another written medium, and the rules for good writing don't get suspended because the words are created digitally.
Joan: Yes, that's a good site. I am not sure why any writer would mind taking the time to write a good query letter. Everyone understands the importance of a well done resume. Why should a query be different? A query, if done well, can save authors and agents time and frustration. We have received some very well written queries and some I could hardly believe. Some authors don't include query letters at all and this is always a mistake when a query is part of the agent's guidelines. If the query does what it is supposed to do and is well written, it’s a great way to get your foot in the door and entice an agent to represent you.George: I'm amazed, and occasionally appalled, at the variety of email queries that we get. Some are short and sweet, often uninformative—the equivalent of 'hi, I wrote a novel and want representation. You can see it on my website...', and some are long and rambling.
Email seems to create different expectations for writers as to what's acceptable as a query. I don't personally care whether a query follows a particular form, but it's still a sales document, and it needs to sell the writer's 'product' to me. Selling a non-fiction manuscript especially means everything that selling involves: describing the work, comparing it to others, distinguishing it in some way, prompting the reader to act.
Joan: I think what I notice most about queries now is that they are so often a mass mailing. While I believe it is necessary for a writer to contact many agents, I admit calling me Mr. Timberlake or Madam (with or without connotations) puts me off—or worse, receiving a query with no names at all.
George: And we got one recently addressed “To my new agent.” Presumptuousness or aggressive marketing?
Joan: On our website, we explain what information we need to see. Having the query in the format that we requested or at least close to it makes the process easier and more efficient for everyone. In addition, when a writer reads our specifications for the query, the writer can also see what types of manuscripts we're looking for.
George: Janet Reid has a good site where she invites writers to send query letters to be evaluated, at http://queryshark.blogspot.com. She's interested in fiction, but a lot of her comments are true for non-fiction, as well. Here's the obvious: if your query is not well written, why would an agent think that the actual manuscript is any better? Email is another written medium, and the rules for good writing don't get suspended because the words are created digitally.
Joan: Yes, that's a good site. I am not sure why any writer would mind taking the time to write a good query letter. Everyone understands the importance of a well done resume. Why should a query be different? A query, if done well, can save authors and agents time and frustration. We have received some very well written queries and some I could hardly believe. Some authors don't include query letters at all and this is always a mistake when a query is part of the agent's guidelines. If the query does what it is supposed to do and is well written, it’s a great way to get your foot in the door and entice an agent to represent you.
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