Ask the Agent: Andy Zack

Re: Hello, Mr. Zack

I can tell you that every publisher--large or small--wants authors to review and follow submission guidelines to the letter. There's nothing that makes me more irritated than to receive unsolicited queries from authors who obviously haven't spent two minutes reading the author guidelines on our web site. It's important to check publishers' web sites for updated information; don't rely on Writer's Market or any other print guide.

Another thing most publishers don't have time for and really, really don't want to receive are phone calls from authors asking if the publishers would be interested in publishing their book based on their phone pitch. An author who calls me with a book pitch is an author who definitely won't be working with me.

Re: Ask the Agent

Andy,

I am an unpublished writer. I recently wrote a YA novel and sent out a few queries. I received some positive feedback from one reputable agency (I checked them out). The reader for that agency asked for the first three chapters, liked them, then asked for the rest.

The reader liked the novel and passed it on to the Agent with a recommendation. Right now I am waiting for the Agent's response. It's been about 3 months.

At the advice of some people on this board, I sent a quick email to the agent after 2 months making sure the manuscript was received. The Agent responded with a polite email saying the book was received and that it would be a little while longer.

My question is, would it be improper to submit this YA book into a contest while waiting? The book must be postmarked by December 31st to be eligible.

The contest is Delacorte Press which I read about on the Children's fiction section of this board.

Thanks for your input (or anyone else's)

Chris

Re: Ask the Agent

<I can tell you that every publisher--large or small--wants authors to review and follow submission guidelines to the letter.>

Well...yes and no. I don't think it's necessarily a hard and fast, anal-retentive rule every publisher, regardless of size, expects every author to follow, do or die, come hell or high water.

I do think every publisher wants every new author to follow submission guidelines, mainly to make the editors' lives easier. That's very understandable, but sometimes the standard guidelines constrain the nature of a submission and will not do service to the creator who submits it or the editor who receives it.

My agent has been sending out a proposal of mine over the last few months that's anything but in the standard format. It's eminently readable, but it's certainly not traditional.

To date, the responses she's received regarding both the format (and the contents) of the proposal have been positive. As I understand it, one editor expressed his gratitude to my agent that she sent something for him to look at that wasn't just dense blocks of text.

Now, granted...I seriously doubt a writer with few or no credentials could get away with this--and probably couldn't find an agent to rep it, either--but the fact that the proposal has yet to be bounced back because it doesn't follow the guidelines supports the old maxim about exceptions made for every rule.

The question was

can an author get away with sending a proposal vs a query letter. (package to include synop and sample chapters)(when agent asked only for query--they thought it would save a step)

An agent can also send simu subs and get away with it. An author trying to find an agent or publisher would be ill advised to not follow the rules to the letter.

There are exceptions, and they are just that exceptions, yeah a book might be picked up even though the author didn't follow the rules, but to point to the exception and say yeah, go ahead and do it because so and so did and they got published, is flushing yourself from the start.

I'm an exception, if you want to look at it that way. I made a major no no goof in my query letter. A dumb hit myself on the head what the hell was I thinking of goof--and I still got an agent, and a good one at that.

But do I go around saying, ok, this doesn't matter cause I made this goof and still landed an agent--no, because it's bad advice.

Shawn

Re: The question was

I'm not an agent, but I think submitting the ms to a contest while the agent is evaluating the work is, I think, uncouth, especially if winning the contest would get you published... you probably should tell the agent.

I was offering an example--

<But do I go around saying, ok, this doesn't matter cause I made this goof and still landed an agent--no, because it's bad advice.>

In my case, I was offering an example, not offering advice. I made it very clear that my example was definitely an exception to the rule...nor did I recommend my approach with the proposal I referenced to people just starting out...which I also made clear.

But I've always found it comforting that when restrictive, locked-down, stay-inside-the-lines strictures are put forth that alternatives occasionally present themselves...which was my point.

If we were all toe-the-line drones, we'd be aspire to work in duplicate cubicles in an office building, not be our own bosses, putting our imaginations to work instead of placing them in stasis. Just that concept alone has a whiff of the rebellious to it.

Just call me Johnny Yuma.

Re: Ask the Agent

Chris:

I can't see any reason that would be a problem.

Re: I was offering an example--

Jaxler:

If I understand correctly, you have an agent and your agent is making the submission. Well, that's a far different thing than an unpublished author going after an agent.

Let me be clear about this: If you are an unpublished author, you should find out what the submission guidelines are for EACH agent that you are going to query and follow those guidelines. The ones for my firm are located at http://www.zackcompany.com/submissions.htm.

Best,

Re: I was offering an example--

Let me be clear about this</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END-->:

I offered an example to prove there could be certain exceptions to certain rules.

I mentioned that my agent was submitting my proposal which was formatted in a way which made it an exception to the certain rules.

In my initial post, I was responding to Nomad's statement about authors abiding by every publisher's submission guidelines, not about sending a query to agents in regards to them representing an off-format submission.

In my case, when I made contact with my agent, I explained to her that my proposal did not follow the standard specs as to submission format and explained to her the reasons why.

She expressed interest in seeing the package, I sent it to her and she agreed to represent it.

Having said that, I add the codicle (which I did before) that this approach is not one I would recommend for anyone who does not have a substantial body of published work behind them.

Regardless, it's still an example of the exception to the rule.

That's all I was sayin'.:smokin

No reason

to be >:

If you read these boards you know that new authors, those who have never submitted before, cling to the exceptions. If they are given as examples of exceptions or not, they will cling to them.

In the thread to underline italics or not, one person said well I never do in my mss and my agent doesn't say a thing. Several other authors then said ahh, ok so I don't have to go back and reformat, even though James D and others with more experience said, wait, hold on, yes you do need to underline italics. They kept pointing to the exception because it matched the error (or non-conventional) they had made.

So we do have a habit of making a big point out the idea that exceptions should not be followed, successful or not.

The query I used is also non-conventional, as Andy can tell you. But I didn't go outside the "only send what's asked for" idea. There is no hard and fast rule as far as the query letter structure goes, but there is when we talk about what material to send.

Only send what's asked for.

And getting angry over people making it clear that the exception is not the rule is silly. We are all here to help each other.

Shawn

Re: I agree--

I wasn't angry nor did I intentionally put the red-faced "angry" emoticon at the end of the first sentence.

When I emboldened and italicized, like this>: it popped up.

Believe me, if I were truly angry, I wouldn't use emoticons at all.

In this instance, I was only a little impatient since I felt I made it very clear that I was most definitely citing an exception to a rule, not offering advice. I was also very non-specific as to the nature of that particular exception, so there really wasn't much information anybody could use in the way of a template.

If some people interpreted my posts as actually counseling them to engage in the wholesale breaking of submission guidelines, then in my opinion they wouldn't be inclined to pay much attention to anything that smacked of rules in the first place.

Ask the AGENT

This thread was started by Andy so that those who wanted answers and information from an agent - could receive those answers and information from an agent.

He is responding based on his own experiences and his overall knowledge of industry standards and expectations - and I for one appreciate his generosity and insights.

While individual results can and often do vary, and many have andectotal experiences that deviate from the norm, this thread is not the place to share those personal experiences.

Re: Ask the AGENT

I think it was my post that started this offshoot of the conversation and I certainly didn't mean to hijack it from Andy Zack. One common thread throughout his advice to authors has been to follow agent guidelines when submitting manuscripts and queries. I am seconding (thirding, now, I guess) that advice when it comes to publishers' guidelines, as well. I will definitely give an agent more leeway regarding a submission that doesn't fit our guidelines, but that's because in every case I've already spoken at length with the agent about the author's work. If an unagented author wants to submit a manuscript to us, it's important to check how we want the manuscript, and that we want that particular genre at all. When we receive submissions that aren't even remotely something we'd publish (and we state very clearly what we do and do not publish on our web site) it says to me that the author isn't doing his or her due diligence. Why would I want to work with someone who can't be bothered to see what kinds of books we publish?

Re: Ask the AGENT

Q. for Andy:

How do agents (as far as you know or from your own experience) keep track of queries, partials or complete? Do you have a system?

Or let me put it this way: If in a query, I mention a recommendation and send you a synopsis and bio, should I include the same information in the partial or complete ms package so that you don't forget (so-and-so recommended me or what the story is about in a nutshell)? Or do you keep a file so that you can quickly reference previous correspondence, so the author doesn't have to keep telling you the same thing?

Thanks,

Re: Ask the AGENT

Good question, Maestro.

I too am in a position where I must send samples to the agent but it will be a few weeks. Should I send a copy of his solicitation of me back to him along with the requested material? Or am I already in his computer?

Tri

Re: Ask the AGENT

Bumping this back up to the top because it's a superb thread.

Re: Ask the AGENT

I'm going to "pin" this thread so it doesn't drop out of sight.

- Victoria

Re: Ask the AGENT

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>How do agents (as far as you know or from your own experience) keep track of queries, partials or complete? Do you have a system?

Or let me put it this way: If in a query, I mention a recommendation and send you a synopsis and bio, should I include the same information in the partial or complete ms package so that you don't forget (so-and-so recommended me or what the story is about in a nutshell)? Or do you keep a file so that you can quickly reference previous correspondence, so the author doesn't have to keep telling you the same thing?<hr></blockquote>
I can't speak for other agents, but all we do is keep an alphabetical file of queries for which we've requested more material. When the material comes in, we attach the original query and then put it in the reading pile. The reading pile is ordered by date of ORIGINAL query, not when the requested material came in. That way, the first author to query us is the first to get his material read. We developed this system when we were requesting material only two or three times a year, in great big batches of queries that covered three or four months. Now we request material on the fly and the system may have to change, but that's how it works now.

We do not log anything into a computer. And I don't know that you need to include a copy of his request letter, though if the letter was personal and commented on various matters, it's not a bad idea--saves him from having to look it up. I would, however, mark the outside of the envelope "Requested Material."

Personally, I'm very environmentally concerned and I find it annoying when someone uses a giant USPS Priority Mail box to send me a chapter and synopsis. Chances are that any author will need a regular supply of materials when making submissions, so here's my suggested shopping list:

For sending out queries, get some #11 business envelopes and also some #10 business envelopes. Send out your queries in the #11, including a $10 SASE. This way, you will not have to fold the #10 and the agent will not have to unfold it.

Use large paperclips rather than small. The small ones fall off too easily.

Use binder clips for sample chapters. Don't staple them and don't use butterfly clips.

Get 10 x 13 manila evelopes for sending out sample chapters. The 9 x 12 envelopes are often too small and the 10 x 13 will work on anything from one to three chapters.

Should an agent request a manuscript, put it in a sturdy box (not just a Kinko's box). You can order fairly sturdy boxes called "literature mailers" from Viking Office Supply (www.vikingop.com) and Uline shipping (www.uline.com). Then put that into another box to actually mail it. You want your manuscript to show up crisp and ready-to-read.

Speaking of crisp...if you are printing your own copies, I recommend a paper of at least 92 brightness. If you are using an inkjet printer, use inkjet paper. If you are having your manuscript photocopied, speak with the copy shop to see what your paper options are. A good copy does make it easier to read the manuscript.

Also, make sure you DATE your query letter and any other correspondance. Make sure your name and address are on PAGE ONE of your query, preferably at the top of the page. Be sure to include your telephone number and your email address. DO NOT include your Social Security Number. No agent needs that unless they are paying you money.

If you are going to send out a fair number of queries, sample chapters, etc., you may want to open an online postage account. If you visit my site's Submissions page at http://www.zackcompany.com/submissions.htm, you can find a link to the one I use.

Re: Ask the AGENT

I'm going to add something to what Andy said--be sure to include a draft number on any complete ms. In the slug line put Draft One if it is the first requested draft.

Andy and I went around and around over some edits he thought I had not done because someone leaving his firm did not file my draft one correctly--so he was on draft one and I was on the edited draft.

He must have thought I was nuts when I kept saying but I fixed that! If I'd put draft one on that first draft I sent to him it would have been a matter of looking at the top of a page and saying oh wait--I don't have that draft. Oops. Instead we wasted a mess of time and frustration over it.

Shawn

Re: Ask the AGENT

Thanks! The information is invaluable. I've been trying to find ms mailers and now I know where to find them.

Re: Ask the Agent

I was re-reading the thread/discussion about your new express read system and I have a question....

What do you do if EVERYONE sends you the money for the express read? How then will you prioritize them? As I see it, if ALL or many/most do it, then aren't you back to where you started? How will you find the time to read them all and still stay in your guaranteed response window?

Again, just curious. It's an interesting idea, but I am just not sure how you can really make it work well. Thanks so much.

Re: Ask the Agent

Spywriter:

They would be prioritized by due date, for starters. However, based on the current demand, there's little indication of that happening anytime.

another source

Staples also carries them, at least they do here. MS mailers that is.

Shawn

Re: another source

Hi Andy,

I heard that if you self published a book, you can still submit it to agents to have it reviewed and to be possibly represented. But when you have an agent, could you have an agent just for foreign sales? Also, does the agent get to choose which foreign sales your book would be in, or what happens to your book in general? Thanks!

Agent Questions

Andy,

Two questions for you. Thanks for answering my last one, by the way.

How do you find the agent who represented a certain book? Is it listed anywhere in the book? I have three books (Young Adult Sports series such as Matt Christopher's, Alden All-stars, etc.) I know I can query agents who represent sports and YA, but I would like to send a query to the agent who represented one of these specific books.

Second, I sent a requested manuscript to an agent and they told me that it was now logged into the computer. I saw you reference that in an earlier message. What does that exactly mean? Is that just a data entry of the book and it's place in the line of things the agent has to read? It seems obvious, but I was just curious.

Thanks,
Chris