Re: Just call the agent on the phone!
Posted: December 20th, 2009, 10:54 am
I thought I made it pretty clear, more than once, that I am only sharing my experience and offering suggestions. But perhaps a newbie wouldn't read the whole thread and get the wrong impression. I'll admit now it was a bad idea. As for the standard method of submission, at least for memoir, it HAS varied and I go by that particular agent's instructions on their site, or in the Writer's Guide. When snail mailing, like I said, it was often send the entire proposal. Perhaps you are getting that confused with sending the manuscript. When emailing, sometimes they ask for Query with the first five pages of Chapter One, sometimes the book overview. The key is that they don't want attachments so you can only paste in the body.
Opinions have varied widely. One agent said I can only sell of the finished book. Many said I can sell on the proposal and get paid to write the book. Some say write the synopsis in the 1st person. Others say in the 3rd. It's been suggested to send exclusives with a response deadline. My editor tells me to submit 100 at once! I've tried it all. I believe when it comes to fiction, it's more standard. Non fiction varies widely and the one thing I've learned from all of this is that no matter how great the story, the writing, the query, the proposal, I must develop a platform. I'm not a celebrity or a PhD. Without it, my chances are slim unless I get plum lucky.
Opinions have varied widely. One agent said I can only sell of the finished book. Many said I can sell on the proposal and get paid to write the book. Some say write the synopsis in the 1st person. Others say in the 3rd. It's been suggested to send exclusives with a response deadline. My editor tells me to submit 100 at once! I've tried it all. I believe when it comes to fiction, it's more standard. Non fiction varies widely and the one thing I've learned from all of this is that no matter how great the story, the writing, the query, the proposal, I must develop a platform. I'm not a celebrity or a PhD. Without it, my chances are slim unless I get plum lucky.