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Let’s talk about a writer’s inner stalkerness.
I coined that phrase by the way. Totally copyrighted and trademarked. Trust me.
You stare with doe eyes at your object’s twitter feed. Most likely, this is a person whom you’ve never met before. You religiously click on blogs to gather as much information as you possibly can. Some of you brave souls even try to befriend on Facebook (which is a little weird…don’t do that - know your stalker etiquette).
What am I talking about? No, not trailing the smokin’ hot guy (or girl depending on your preference) that you check out at the gym every.single.day - though some of you may do this with them, too, but seriously…that’s clinical.
I’m talking about our agent obsession. We can’t fix what we don’t acknowledge, right (shout out Dr. Phil)?
So, in the way of Little Red Riding Hood, what is “just right” in terms of agent stalking?
From what I’ve gathered from various tweets, articles, etc. during my own stal...er...research, these are the acceptable (and encouraged) forms of stalking:
- - Follow and comment on their blogs (because let’s be honest - more blog followers = more queries = increase in possibility of finding awesomeness)
- Follow them on twitter (you can see them, but they don’t have to see you): you can @reply them, but don’t expect a response (this means do NOT get your panties in a bunch and go all: @NathanBransford You dirty bum! Tweet me back!! Tweet me back!!) <-- that is crossing the writer stalkerness lines
- Make sure you read up on their submission guidelines, likes, and recent sales on their respective websites or places like Publishers Marketplace (http://www.publishersmarketplace.com) before you query
However, DO NOT, under ANY circumstance pitch to an agent in any way other than how they've specifically stated. No one is going to magically pluck you from the world of Twitter stalkerdom and sign you. It's just not realistic, so be responsible with your stalking.
And lastly, be nice. No one likes a pompous turd @replying them every second or just being a fungus to the world in general.