On Track with Queries

It looks as though I've changed my mind... again.

In a previous post, I mentioned only querying publishers.  Well, the problem is that MANY picture book publishers will only accept queries from agents.  So, for a better chance of getting published, it looks like I HAVE to query agents first.

So, here's the new game plan:  I am going to query EVERY agent I have ever queried before.  This is about 35 agents.  If I give all of them time to respond, that will mean I must wait until early December to query publishers.  That's exactly what I am going to do.  You know, my 2013 goal was to get an agent, and I must remain hopeful it will happen before January 1, 2014.  But, there's nothing wrong with getting an agent next year either :)

I'll be honest, though.  I really don't want to query agents, and it's because agents are only one step of two very important steps (those steps being 1) get an agents attention and 2) get a publisher to agree to publish it).  But, whatever, I guess I need to just be patient and get in line like every other person who queries agents.

Before I query, I am going to make a promise to myself.

I PROMISE that when I begin querying agents, I will only check my e-mail twice a day.
I PROMISE not to lose sleep over wondering if an agent is going to contact me or not.

Two promises should cover it.

Is anyone else out there as fickle as me?

Targeting Agents/Publishers

We all know that our manuscripts must please a publisher.  If an agent is queried first, the manuscript has to please the agent and the publisher.  Since the ultimate goal is to please the publisher, do you think it's smart to research a publisher's bookshelf and write a book to target their tastes?

As I complete a manuscript, and revise it a zillion times, I come to realize what the book is about.  Does my story teach a lesson?  If so, what type of lesson?  Is my story just a fun-loving, good time kind of story?  Does my story feature funny topics that children laugh at, such as body functions (peeing, pooping, etc..)?  Once I know these answers, I try to find publishers that handle books that are similar to mine.

But... what if the process were reversed?  What if I researched a publisher first, then wrote a story I believed they would take on?  Is that... bad?

Don't get me wrong, I'd never write a book I didn't enjoy writing.  But, there are times when I feel like I should write to a publishers liking and maybe I'll have an even better chance of getting published.   Once I can get published, maybe I can have more flexibility to publish other things I have written. It seems as though debut writers have to walk the tight rope until they are published.

So, what do you think?  Is it bad to write a story to just target a specific publisher?

Preparing For The Call

We all imagine the day an agent will call.  We don't want to see e-mails because we know those are no good.  Instead, we want The Call (and it's big enough to capitalize).

We live for the moment when we'll look at the caller ID and say, "Who could that be?  I have only given my number to one person and that was... to...that AGENT I QUERIED!" Shortly followed by a dizzy spell and palm sweating.  Then, you realize you better answer it before the caller reaches your voice mail.

But, wait a minute.  If you pick up the phone and it is that agent, what are you going to say if they offer you representation?  You can't just sit there!  Nope.  You better know what to say. I'm one to talk, I feel I may be ill-prepared for this scenario, but not for long.

Rachelle Gardner's Website  includes a very helpful list of items to ask an agent when they do call.  Use this as a starting point, and remember to spend a significant amount of time researching how to prepare for the call.  Remember, you will have to know more than the contents of your manuscript (which you already know, duh).  It wouldn't be a bad idea to print this list and keep it with you at all times.  I know I will, because I want to be prepared when the time comes.  And, it will.

Agents or Publishers

Children's picture book submissions follow a different set of rules that other types of literature.  Picture book writers can submit to agents, who will later submit to publishers.  Or, the writer can submit directly to the publisher.

Different people have different preferences.  Some people want to hurry and get to the publisher as fast as they can, since publishers are the ones that ultimately get the book in print.  On the other hand, some want an agent first, since agents have many connections to folks in the publishing world.  Also, agents know which types of books appeal to specific publishers, so it's possible an agent could get it right the first time.  One piece of knowledge PB writers should have is that you always query agents first.  If all of them say "no", then you can try publishers, but never query publishers then agents.

If an agent wants to get your book published, the last thing they want you to say is, "Oh, yeah, I came to you because all the publishers in the world told me they'd never publish my book."  Why?  Well, if all the publishers told you no, who do you think the agents would query?  Yes!  Those exact publishers that turned you down.

So, if you want to query publishers, query them after you have exhausted all of your agent options.

Queries: E-mail versus Turtle Mail

I can't help myself, but when I query agents, those that accept e-mail/online submissions are at the top of my list.  It's easier to submit online as opposed to turtle mail (snail mail is overused, so I changed it to turtle mail.  Turtles are slow, too.).

Luckily, the agent I desperately want accepts e-mail queries, but I have some agents I have not queried yet because they only accept turtle mail.  I'm not too busy to query by turtle mail, but I try to avoid buying stamps or using turtle mail at all cost.

Wouldn't it be easier for agents to accept e-mail queries?  Or are agencies trying to support the USPS?

How do you prioritize your queries?

Waiting for an Agent's Response

The biggest frustration that comes with trying to get published is the fact that some agents/publishers live by "no response means we are not interested."  It's no surprise that writers dislike this.  Face it, everyone wants an answer.  It's hard to live on the edge, especially for months, not to mention that it is slightly stressful.

This makes me wonder:  if agents use an online submission form, can't they install a button to click so when they reject the book, it automatically sends a form rejection letter to that person?  Then, maybe everyone could get some type of notification.

In my experience, most agents want you to e-mail a specific e-mail address.  A few have online submission forms, but mostly what I see is "please e-mail this address with your manuscript."  This method requires the agent to read your manuscript, then send reply to that e-mail and paste in their form rejection text in the body of the reply.  If this process could be automated, writers would be thrilled (I know, it's not the agents job to thrill the writer, but it would still be awesome).

The real question is, what do you do while you wait for a response?  Check your e-mail every five minutes?  Check your voice mail every five minutes?  Call the phone company every five minutes to make sure the phone lines are functioning correctly?