Querying several agents at one time

Michele · 03-19-2005, 10:00 PM

I'm new to this forum, but I've been following this thread for a while.

I'm about to start querying agents for my ya novel. I think I've done everything I should. I pulled together a list of agents who are interested in ya and checked that list against P&E and Writer Beware. I believe my ms is polished and ready to go. I was planning to start with my top ten choices. If I'm lucky enough to get positive responses from more than one agent, what do I do? I realize that many agents will ask to read the ms on an exclusive basis. What if I've agreed to that with one agent and another one asks to see it during that time? I understand this may never happen. I'm hoping for the best case scenario.

Thanks for your help.

Michele

Eussie · 03-20-2005, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michele

I'm new to this forum, but I've been following this thread for a while.

I'm about to start querying agents for my ya novel. I think I've done everything I should. I pulled together a list of agents who are interested in ya and checked that list against P&E and Writer Beware. I believe my ms is polished and ready to go. I was planning to start with my top ten choices. If I'm lucky enough to get positive responses from more than one agent, what do I do? I realize that many agents will ask to read the ms on an exclusive basis. What if I've agreed to that with one agent and another one asks to see it during that time? I understand this may never happen. I'm hoping for the best case scenario.

Thanks for your help.

Michele

Your chances of getting a positive response from a query run at less than ten percent (judging by statistics on Andy Zack's site amongst others). Then most agents ask for sample chapters on a non-exclusive basis. Your chances of getting two agents to then ask for your manuscript at the same time means that you are extremely lucky...the odds are infinitesmal. But if it does happen...pick one and ask the other if they mind waiting. Good luck.

Julie Worth · 03-20-2005, 03:28 AM

Some agents want an exclusive. Some want to know if you’re querying other agents. I say, just ignore all that.

How Nicholas Sparks got an agent: http://www.nicholassparks.com/Writer...r/MyAgent.html

Daughter of Faulkner · 03-20-2005, 06:31 AM

Michele,
Do your homework--make sure you only query agents who like your kind of work, have a one page synopsis, an outline, and table of contents, and of course, the ms ready to go.
Be perfect.

Include SASE and phone number for reply. Many called with my query in their hand. That I really admired.
Let your confidence shine through your pitch as well because a smart and interested agent will see it at once.

You can easily hit "pay dirt" first time around, but you will never know until you try!

I send you 1,000,0000 good wishes!
Let me know what happens.

MarkEsq · 03-20-2005, 06:49 AM

Hi Michele,
Let me add to what's been said below - I read the Nick Sparks article and recognized myself in the writing, rewriting, polishing, and repolishing of the query letter. I even posted mine for review and found the feedback very helpful.
The result for me was that two of the fifteen agents I queried responded wanting to see part of my manuscript. The first one liked it (I guess) and asked for the entire novel. I'm now waiting to hear back from her.
So, be sure to do your very best work on your query letter, don't get your hopes up for an immediate and positive response, but above all remember that it can happen and if you have done good work and get just a smidgen of luck, it can happen to you.

Michele · 03-20-2005, 06:02 PM

Thanks for all your responses. It's so helpful to get feedback from other writers.

I've been working with a freelance editor and she just sent comments on my revisions. The good news is I waited to hear from her before I sent out any queries. The bad news is I have more work to do on my ms. This is what she said: The story is very strong, and the characterizations are excellent. I guess it’s the setting and background that create problems. She pointed out specific areas where she had questions. If I had been looking at my work more objectively, I would have seen them too. I guess it's back to the drawing board.

Thanks again,

Michele

Daughter of Faulkner · 03-21-2005, 02:47 AM

Once I think I got it right BOOM! POW! rewrite...

Alphabeter · 03-23-2005, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkEsq

Let me add to what's been said below - I read the Nick Sparks article and recognized myself in the writing, rewriting, polishing, and repolishing of the query letter.

I'm guessing you're talking/typing about Nicholas Sparks who wrote The Notebook but what article? Do you have the URL?

MarkEsq · 03-23-2005, 06:50 PM

Hi Joy, I sure do - it's the one Julie posted above. Here it is:

http://www.nicholassparks.com/Write...er/MyAgent.html

03-19-2005, 10:00 PM	#1
Michele New Fish; Learning About Thick Skin Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 17	Querying several agents at one time I'm new to this forum, but I've been following this thread for a while. I'm about to start querying agents for my ya novel. I think I've done everything I should. I pulled together a list of agents who are interested in ya and checked that list against P&E and Writer Beware. I believe my ms is polished and ready to go. I was planning to start with my top ten choices. If I'm lucky enough to get positive responses from more than one agent, what do I do? I realize that many agents will ask to read the ms on an exclusive basis. What if I've agreed to that with one agent and another one asks to see it during that time? I understand this may never happen. I'm hoping for the best case scenario. Thanks for your help. Michele

03-20-2005, 06:31 AM	#4
Daughter of Faulkner Always a writer Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Southeastern, Massachusetts Posts: 195	Thirty+ asked for a sample my first try so go for it! Michele, Do your homework--make sure you only query agents who like your kind of work, have a one page synopsis, an outline, and table of contents, and of course, the ms ready to go. Be perfect. Include SASE and phone number for reply. Many called with my query in their hand. That I really admired. Let your confidence shine through your pitch as well because a smart and interested agent will see it at once. You can easily hit "pay dirt" first time around, but you will never know until you try! I send you 1,000,0000 good wishes! Let me know what happens. __________________ Always a writer, Eileen St. Lauren Author http://mysite.verizon.net/eileenstlauren

03-20-2005, 06:49 AM	#5
MarkEsq Clever title pending. Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: In the wilds of Texas. Actually, the liberal oasis of Austin. Posts: 2,729	It can be done! Hi Michele, Let me add to what's been said below - I read the Nick Sparks article and recognized myself in the writing, rewriting, polishing, and repolishing of the query letter. I even posted mine for review and found the feedback very helpful. The result for me was that two of the fifteen agents I queried responded wanting to see part of my manuscript. The first one liked it (I guess) and asked for the entire novel. I'm now waiting to hear back from her. So, be sure to do your very best work on your query letter, don't get your hopes up for an immediate and positive response, but above all remember that it can happen and if you have done good work and get just a smidgen of luck, it can happen to you.

03-21-2005, 02:47 AM	#7
Daughter of Faulkner Always a writer Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Southeastern, Massachusetts Posts: 195	Isn't that the way it always is! Once I think I got it right BOOM! POW! rewrite... __________________ Always a writer, Eileen St. Lauren Author http://mysite.verizon.net/eileenstlauren

03-23-2005, 06:50 PM	#9
MarkEsq Clever title pending. Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: In the wilds of Texas. Actually, the liberal oasis of Austin. Posts: 2,729	Sure do Hi Joy, I sure do - it's the one Julie posted above. Here it is: http://www.nicholassparks.com/Write...er/MyAgent.html

03-20-2005, 03:28 AM	#3
Julie Worth What? I have a title? Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Posts: 5,199	Some agents want an exclusive. Some want to know if you’re querying other agents. I say, just ignore all that. How Nicholas Sparks got an agent: http://www.nicholassparks.com/Writer...r/MyAgent.html

03-20-2005, 06:02 PM	#6
Michele New Fish; Learning About Thick Skin Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 17	Thanks for all your responses. It's so helpful to get feedback from other writers. I've been working with a freelance editor and she just sent comments on my revisions. The good news is I waited to hear from her before I sent out any queries. The bad news is I have more work to do on my ms. This is what she said: The story is very strong, and the characterizations are excellent. I guess it’s the setting and background that create problems. She pointed out specific areas where she had questions. If I had been looking at my work more objectively, I would have seen them too. I guess it's back to the drawing board. Thanks again, Michele

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