Nathan Bransford - The Forums

Hi,

New to the forum. I was just wondering if it's OK to put a P.O. box as your address when writing a query letter. Like instead of

Edward J. Munster
1313 Mockingbird Lane
Death Valley, CA 31416

it'd be

Edward J. Munster
P.O. Box 1313
Los Angeles, CA 90210

Or do agents find that an immediate turn-off, just like young Edward's family deemed his sister Marilyn to be? (I know the zip codes don't match, but I was kind of too lazy to "query" Dr. Frankengoogle to find the real zip code for Death Valley. So I used a bit of Munster cheese in my query Pi.)

Lot's of people use P.O. Boxes. I can't think of any (good) reason for anyone to get upset about that.

Thanks, Matt. What I wondered is if they might think (kind of like when people comment anonymously online) that there's not a legitimate "person" behind the contribution. I kinda thought a letter without an "address" is about as mysterious as, y'know, eyes without a face.

Interesting question - I'm guessing that a P.O. box isn't a problem, especially since they will most likely contact you by e-mail anyway. Orphone call, if it's an offer.

But you could ask Nathan about this if you want.....

Mira wrote:Interesting question - I'm guessing that a P.O. box isn't a problem, especially since they will most likely contact you by e-mail anyway. Orphone call, if it's an offer.

But you could ask Nathan about this if you want.....

I've already asked two things of the man, which is one more than you're supposed to of the Great and Powerful. 'Course, one of them was -- as is odd for me, I know -- a slight bit of shameless self-promotion, but with good intentions.

I made a logo for 'im. Tryin' my best to get it published on the Bransblog.

viewtopic.php?f=24&t=4240

But might be worthwhile to link this thread to another if I do ask.

I'm not sure you even need to put your address in the query assuming you're sending it via e-mail - plenty of time for that down the line. Otherwise your address is your address and an agent isn't going to think twice about it.

Nathan Bransford wrote:I'm not sure you even need to put your address in the query assuming you're sending it via e-mail - plenty of time for that down the line. Otherwise your address is your address and an agent isn't going to think twice about it.

Thanks so much. Since I'm very much a Luddite (still, even despite the Jobs tribute I posted here), I'd most likely avoid agents who request e-mail queries exclusively and opt for those who allow the option of snail-mail.

Rachel Ventura wrote:

Nathan Bransford wrote:I'm not sure you even need to put your address in the query assuming you're sending it via e-mail - plenty of time for that down the line. Otherwise your address is your address and an agent isn't going to think twice about it.

Thanks so much. Since I'm very much a Luddite (still, even despite the Jobs tribute I posted here), I'd most likely avoid agents who request e-mail queries exclusively and opt for those who allow the option of snail-mail.

Oh? Can I ask why you would pass on an agent that requests an email query? I could see the other way around, since it slows reponses and and costs a bit of money to send the query, but I don't see the benefit to snail mail.

MattLarkin wrote:

Rachel Ventura wrote:

Nathan Bransford wrote:I'm not sure you even need to put your address in the query assuming you're sending it via e-mail - plenty of time for that down the line. Otherwise your address is your address and an agent isn't going to think twice about it.

Thanks so much. Since I'm very much a Luddite (still, even despite the Jobs tribute I posted here), I'd most likely avoid agents who request e-mail queries exclusively and opt for those who allow the option of snail-mail.

Oh? Can I ask why you would pass on an agent that requests an email query? I could see the other way around, since it slows reponses and and costs a bit of money to send the query, but I don't see the benefit to snail mail.

Same here. Why wouldn't you? Especially since by doing that you will be cutting out at least 85% of agents, if not more, simply because they want an e-mail query. Sorry, there just doesn't seem to be a good reason to do that.

CV

CharleeVale wrote:

MattLarkin wrote:Oh? Can I ask why you would pass on an agent that requests an email query? I could see the other way around, since it slows reponses and and costs a bit of money to send the query, but I don't see the benefit to snail mail.

Same here. Why wouldn't you? Especially since by doing that you will be cutting out at least 85% of agents, if not more, simply because they want an e-mail query. Sorry, there just doesn't seem to be a good reason to do that.

CV

Because I am so much a Luddite and fearful of things that involve bits and bytes -- (more than) a little self-contradictory, I'll admit, since I know a good enough deal about them. Not enough to build a better mouse app but enough that I know what email is and how to use it.

I also feel the need to contribute to the good old USPS rather than ISPs as much as I can. Must be 'cause I'm a Beatles fan and see the benefit to combining "Paperback Writer" with "Please, Mr. Postman."

Oh, yeah, wait a minute, Mr. Postman,
Can you read my book, it took me years to write, will you take a look?
Mr. Postman, look at me,
Is that a letter from my agent I see,
If you really like it you can have the rights,
It could make a million for you overnight.
So many days you passed me by
See the tear standing in my eye
You didn't stop to make me feel better
By leaving me a card or a letter...

Needs work, but IMHO it's better than "Mr. Roboto Killed the Radio Star."