This is my second blog post from the young adult workshop I recently attended. Erica Rand Silverman is an agent with Sterling Lord Literistic and Jacquelyn Mitchard is a prolific author as well as an editor-in-chief at Merit Press. Click here for Part I.
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| Erica Rand Silverman |
These notes are from Erica’s powerpoint presentation.
* Research agents in advance. Find out who represents what genre.
* Don’t ever pay for query services. Using Query Tracker is acceptable.
* Prepare your query letter carefully. Agents will
respond with the same amount of care which you take. “Sometimes we hear pings within our office and know everyone is getting the same
query at the same time.” That’s ridiculous with an office full of agents looking for everything from children’s picture books to adult non-fiction. It is appropriate to reference the agent’s client list and mention what you like about these books. By doing this you are showing why you are seeking representation from this agent.
respond with the same amount of care which you take. “Sometimes we hear pings within our office and know everyone is getting the same
query at the same time.” That’s ridiculous with an office full of agents looking for everything from children’s picture books to adult non-fiction. It is appropriate to reference the agent’s client list and mention what you like about these books. By doing this you are showing why you are seeking representation from this agent.
* Don’t name drop in your query.
* There was a phase when publishers bought self-published books because they had great sales on Amazon. This is no longer happening.
* Don’t be overly personal. Be yourself! Your work
has to be first and foremost.
has to be first and foremost.
* It’s all about timing: the right moment with the right person.
* Don’t list ten different projects you have.
* Mention your work first, then your credentials.
* If you find
someone you really want to work with don’t submit to another agent. If you do multiple submits, be
transparent at the bottom of the email.
someone you really want to work with don’t submit to another agent. If you do multiple submits, be
transparent at the bottom of the email.
* Follow the agency’s guidelines for email vs. snail mail. Email may get seen quickly, but may never be seen
again. Paper will eventually get read.
again. Paper will eventually get read.
* If an agent responds with “I’m interested,” feel free to nudge if you haven’t heard back in a month. If they don’t
respond to your initial query, don’t nudge.
respond to your initial query, don’t nudge.
* A big
problem in publishing is not having enough time to think. Writers need to be patient!
problem in publishing is not having enough time to think. Writers need to be patient!
* If you receive more than one offer, do a happy dance and then select
wisely. You need to give agents time to respond- at least one or two weeks. It is appropriate to write, “I’d love to
hear from you if you’re interested before I make a decision on how to move
forward.” Treat other professionals
with respect. If an agent is workshopping your work, they’re interested. It’s like dating. Don’t query another agent if the first agent is subbing your work.
wisely. You need to give agents time to respond- at least one or two weeks. It is appropriate to write, “I’d love to
hear from you if you’re interested before I make a decision on how to move
forward.” Treat other professionals
with respect. If an agent is workshopping your work, they’re interested. It’s like dating. Don’t query another agent if the first agent is subbing your work.
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Here are some of my previous posts on agents:
And on querying:
Quintessential Queries (including Josh and Tracey Adams‘ tips, “Do’s and Don’t of Queries”)
Carol,Great tips! Thanks for passing these along.Sometimes, writers want to show that they are serious about writing and so they list various works in progress. It's good we were reminded not to do this.
Thanks, Carol, for sharing all this good advice. You must take very good notes!
Thanks, Linda and Rosi. Yes- I take my laptop to conferences like this so note-taking is easier. And then it's great when it double-duties as blogs!. Glad info is helpful to others.
Thank you for the tips, Carol. It's almost inspiring me to enter queryland again.
I hope it does, Vijaya!
Carol, that is a great pitch! Someday soon you will be posting the copy of the pitch that landed you an agent, leading to a publisher :) Thanks for sharing such great information.
Thanks, Kathleen, for your wonderful support!
Carol,Great tips! Thanks for passing these along.Sometimes, writers want to show that they are serious about writing and so they list various works in progress. It's good we were reminded not to do this.
Thanks, Carol, for sharing all this good advice. You must take very good notes!
Thanks, Linda and Rosi. Yes- I take my laptop to conferences like this so note-taking is easier. And then it's great when it double-duties as blogs!. Glad info is helpful to others.
Thank you for the tips, Carol. It's almost inspiring me to enter queryland again.
I hope it does, Vijaya!
Carol, that is a great pitch! Someday soon you will be posting the copy of the pitch that landed you an agent, leading to a publisher :) Thanks for sharing such great information.
Thanks, Kathleen, for your wonderful support!