A test of Queries...

[shadow]

Ok I was wondering if anybody has done this before because this crazy idea just popped into my mind. Before you send to your very fave agents have you ever though of sending to E-publishers and small publishing houses just to see the responses, just because you fear being rekected by your favorite agents? This crazy idea just popped into my mind and I was just wondering if any of you have tried something like this before... lol

[BlancheKing]

Haven't done that yet, but I have sent one or two "test" queries out to see if my query and manuscript are good enough to yield results. I haven't found a favorite agent yet, but I've made a list of the ones I really like. Chances are, our respective favorite agents will most likely be the ones that represent us in the end. (And Nathan, of course ;D)

[Erica75]

I'm not sure about sending to small publishers and expecting to get feedback without getting an offer. If you do get an offer, would you then say "Never mind, I really want to go with an agent and a bigger house."? Also, if it did work and the feedback was negative, would you be able to use that to edit and polish (again) and turn it into something an agent would want? Maybe what you're really looking for is a critique group or editor. Just my random thoughts based on your first question...

That being said, I also live on Fear of the Query Island. I made a list (from Agent Query) of about 30 or so agents that seem like a good match for my genre (my current ms is contemporary YA). I went to their websites and/or blogs and looked at books they've gotten published, books they themselves have written, what their personality seems like, etc. and prioritized my list as to "really want", "wish I could get", "could be great", (okay, not exactly, but you get my point, I hope). I have a few versions of my query to go with various tips each agent gave on their sites. I'm planning on sending 5 or so at a time and at least one from each of my categories being a part of that five. Then, if I do get feedback, I didn't burn through all my faves in one fell swoop and can go back to revise before sending the next batch. Hopefully that makes sense. And if I manage to find a way off the Island, I'll send the boat back for you :)

[marilyn peake]

I would only contact e-publishers or small presses if you really want to be published by them. If they're interested in publishing your work, they'll offer you a legally binding contract. Quite often, e-publishers and small presses are willing to publish books that agents won't take on because there's a risk the books won't make as much money as large publishing houses require. Some e-publishers and small presses, for instance, are especially interested in specific genres or non-mainstream books for niche audiences. Publishers in e-publishing and small press are usually swamped with work, short on staff to help them read and publish submissions, and don't look kindly on being used as a test audience. At some point in the future, you might want to be published by an e-publisher or small press (some agents even make arrangements to have some of their clients' books published through these publishers); and it would be good to remain on good terms with them.

[KellyWittmann]

I used to query small publishers-- and even some editors at big houses-- on certain projects after having no luck with agents, but I no longer do that and can't imagine I ever would again. Why? Because it just didn't work. Ever. No one was ever rude to me about it, and a few of them even looked at my stuff, but I came to the conclusion that it was not an effective way to spend my time.

[wilderness]

I think you're better off querying a few agents in batches (but wait until you really think that your work is at its best). I don't think getting your "favorite" agent should be that much of a priority; there are plenty of great agents out there.