The sophisticated waltz of the #query letter. #LiteraryAgent
Having read countless blogs on the subject of the “perfect query letter,” I have concluded that something is very wrong or broken in this process.
The process is this:
- Research the agents.
- Who considers your type of manuscript?
- Research their track record.
- Are they large or small?
Small agencies have less time to read every query. They then cherry pick, out of the 10’s of thousands of wannabees. There is no shortage of writers.
Large agents do the same, however; because there are more of them, they may see more letters.
Keep notes of all of the agents that you queried, you do not want to bother them with duplication and, if they sent you a form letter or even worse ignored you, that is good to know too.
Remember that some of the best authors out there are facing the same task, the same rejections, etc. because agents are so swamped with queries that they do not have time to do this properly.
When I do a direct marketing campaign for my business…my real livelihood…I have about a 2% return. Every hundred postcards usually net two customers.
Query letters are probably even more subjective. It is more important that you know who the agent is and how they deal with letters. Whom have they helped in the past? What is there rate of taking on new authors?
My no bullshit approach would be, “Would you like to make a lot of money, look at my damned manuscript!”
They do not play that game, like a princess they want to be, wooed. Money does not seem to be a factor in the selection process. Think foreplay on steroids, complete with all of the best manners when you are on a date for the first time.
“My novel will make you misty with anticipation of the next paragraph!”
When Mr. Covington came into the room with his shirt half torn, Sheila knew it was only a matter of time before she would feel the brunt of his hunger. The passion, which raged inside, tipped the boiling point, and was about to spill over!
Depending upon your agent, they will either reject it or become hot, thirsting for more… Is this what people read? Can I market it? What did Sheila do to get Mr. Covington so stirred up? What does he look like? What is his hunger? I must know more….Or not….
My dream is this….
When the novel sells over a million copies, I want to take the time to send a copy to all of the agents that have ignored me or…sent me a form letter… Is that petty? Maybe…. If I do have to self-publish the first novel, I will make “E.L. James a verb, much like google it!”
Keep at it my friends; the spoils go to the one who never gives up. As always, feel free to write. I love hearing from fellow writers.
-Best
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TheTimeDok 