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Speaking as someone who worked as an unpaid intern for an agency--stop saying "unpaid intern" like it's an insult. I competed for my job, and worked hard at it. The only reason it's unpaid is because businesses can get away with hiring interns for experience rather than pay in the U.S., and that's changing. Furthermore, if you own a small business and have access to people who are willing to do work without pay, it's not unkind to take advantage of that situation.After my 40th or 50th query to various agents, I got an inane, half-witted response by an unpaid intern.
Edited to add: My agent, as you'll read above, read my manuscript when she was interning with the first agency I queried (Zachary Schuster Harmsworth). ZSH's policy is that ALL agents must like a manuscript before a client is signed; my manuscript was R'ed by committee. Two years later, she became an agent herself, and is currently building a client list before she goes public. I was the first writer she emailed. Do not insult the interns.
After my 40th or 50th query to various agents, I got an inane, half-witted response by an unpaid intern. This is unusual because most of them don't even bother responding. Furthermore, if you read some of their web sites it sounds like they hate writers . . . . so I say . . .
. . . Screw the agents. They are not needed. Just send your query directly to publishers who are producing work in your genre. And if you get an offer, all you need is a entertainment lawyer to look it over.
Best of luck -
Glimmer
You are the sweetest ever. I followed you on twitter...is that okay? I do most of my chatting on there.OOhh, very cool! I saw your posts on the Next Circle of Hell thread. I hope your wait will be short and punctuated with awesomeness!
Is blatant bullshit.If you do not have a track record, then the vast majority of literary agents don't even want to hear from you.
Furthermore, some smaller pubs see agents as an un-helpful barrier between them and the writer.
The first time round it took me 47 queries. Second time round...hmm, I didn't really count...I would guess around 40 as well?
Miss Snark said to query 100 before questioning your MS, but I suggest getting your query letter looked at over on QLH to make sure it's working. As for where to find agents...I found most of the US ones on Query Tracker and UK ones no Wiki.
Hi! I sent email queries to 41 agents since Feb 23, 2015 and ten rejections, some from just my query and even those who wanted an excerpt with the query... I think about 3 of the 10 were in that category.
I have a novella and also maybe not equivalent advice as I heard publishers don't like novellas, right?
Is having a film company requesting my story not really a big deal to literary agents?
Yet with my query I mention a film company, a big one, asked for my stuff and I signed a "Release" with them five weeks ago. I quoted above... what is "QLH" for queries? Also, I'm concerned about my novella not being up to par and need someone to crit it and can't afford hiring an editor. Any suggestions on how to find readers. I watch AW Beta Readers area without much luck getting anyone to read.
Thanks for this thread and hope I at the same time helped you!
Kindest Regards,
Winfred
Hi! I sent email queries to 41 agents since Feb 23, 2015 and ten rejections, some from just my query and even those who wanted an excerpt with the query... I think about 3 of the 10 were in that category.
I have a novella and also maybe not equivalent advice as I heard publishers don't like novellas, right?
Is having a film company requesting my story not really a big deal to literary agents?
I quoted above... what is "QLH" for queries?
Also, I'm concerned about my novella not being up to par and need someone to crit it and can't afford hiring an editor. Any suggestions on how to find readers. I watch AW Beta Readers area without much luck getting anyone to read.