Nathan Bransford - The Forums

In another thread, someone mentioned that they found it obnoxious when an agent only accepts e-queries. I always thought that was a good thing. Not only does it decrease the amount of paper waste, it provides speedier communication, and projects a technology friendly attitude. I wonder about the agents who only accept snail mail queries. The publishing world seems to be moving forward, embracing technology. When an agent doesn't have a website, or conduct business online, it makes me wonder whether they will be able to keep up with the changing publishing industry.
Also, why not be environmentally aware?
Maybe, they think that they will only get serious submissions by only accepting snail mail queries, but I think this is a prejudiced presumption. I just don't get it. Can anyone shed some light on the positives of querying via snail mail?

I don't have an answer for you, but I look for agents who either only accept e-queries or who accept both. I can't afford paper, ink, or postage in the amounts required to query fifty or more agents. That stuff adds up quick. And in the query phase, I don't see why a hardcopy is necessary. But it may simply be that particular agent's preference.

It helps keep the deluge down, most likely. And some probably prefer taking paper home (or somewhere more comfortable) to read, having spent enough time staring at screens already. Though with ereaders I'm guessing that might be changing too.