Sunday, August 25, 2013

Snail Mail and E-Mail



Two Sundays ago, I wrote about my befuddlement over what to do with the manuscript for The Reluctant Spy—try to get it published or stuff it into the computer’s innards and let it molder for ages hence. Your responses helped greatly.
         Last Sunday, I shared with you the power of a single word—fascinating. Once again, your responses gave me the courage to make the decision detailed below.
         This Sunday I’d like to share with you what I’ve being doing in the past seven days. What I haven’t been doing is blogging. That is, reading and commenting on the seventy blogs I enjoy and try to follow.
         Why?
         Because that word fascinating has impelled me to look for an agent . . . and to look in a new way.
         In the past few years, I’d done an agent search several times. That involves (1) going to a book such as 2013 Guide to Literary Agents or Jeff Herman’s Guide to Book Publishers, Editors, & Literary Agents or (2) searching web sites that list agents such as Literary Rambles for children’s books or AgentQuery.Com.
         These books and lists may offer a little or a lot of information about a particular agent or agency: names, address, e-mail address, web site, genre represented. That last item is essential because some agencies represent only nonfiction. Other agencies may represent fiction but only a certain kind: literary, historical, fantasy, contemporary women’s, mystery, mainstream, young adult.
         Finding an agent takes time. Thought. Effort. Here’s what I’ve been doing in the past week instead of blogging:

·      I wrote a generic query letter for The Reluctant Spy. Crafting the first sentence and paragraph so as to entice an agent into reading the entire letter requires going over it repeatedly. When I begin to contact agencies and agents, I’ll modify that letter as necessary. That is, I’ll mention some book an agent has represented or the agency’s client list or an agent’s particular interest in some area. Finding out that info requires extensive research.
·      I studied the books and lists mentioned above to determine which agencies represent fiction, specifically, historical fiction.
·      I visited agency web sites to determine two things: the names of those agents in a particular agency who are interested in the type of fiction I have to offer and how they want someone to query them: electronically or by snail mail. Do they want only a letter? Or a letter plus the first five pages of the manuscript? 30 pages? 50 pages?

         Slowly, I’m beginning to develop a list of agents to contact.
         In the past few years when I’ve done an agent search I’ve taken the easy route—sending out only e-queries. That’s cheaper than snail mail and usually, if the agent does choose to respond, the response comes much quicker than through the mail.


          This time, I’m decided to do two things differently—bless that word fascinating! I’m going to send out snail queries and I’m going to send them not only to agencies that represent historical novels—which is what I’ve done in the past—but also to those agents that represent “mainstream” fiction. That’s a breakthrough for me. I believe that in the past I’ve been too narrow in my vision. I’m going to cast a wide net this time.
         In this coming week, I hope to continue my search and also to visit each of your blogs at least once. How can I expect you to offer your thoughtful suggestions if I don’t follow your postings? And I so enjoy discovering what you are all doing and thinking.
         I’d appreciate any thoughts you have on the process I’ve detailed. I plan to spend the month of September searching lists and sending out queries. I’ll keep you posted. Lots to do . . . and I love it!
                  

20 comments:

  1. Find that publisher any way you can--just find him!!

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    1. Dear Fishducky, in order to get to that publisher I've got to find an agent! I'm looking!!!! Peace.

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  2. Good for you. Your approach sounds fascinating!

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. Dear Janie, I do so hope my approach works. I'm going to send my need out into the Universe and trust that all will be well. Peace.

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  3. I'm so glad you are doing this, Dee! It sounds like terrific strategy, and very well planned. I think you are going to see a bountiful harvest from this. Can't wait to see how this unfolds for you!

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    1. Dear Shelly, maybe I'll learn things from this that will help you when you decide to seek an agent. I do so hope that there will be "a bountiful harvest from this." Like you, I'm eager to see what unfolds, but before anything does, I must do my part. Peace.

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  4. Good luck, Dee! Be sure and follow any directions the specific agent requires. You are doing exactly as they suggest in finding agents who list the specific genre you fit into. Since genres are a bit flexible, widening the net doesn't hurt. :)

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    1. Dear Rita, I have come to think that maybe agents are more flexible than I've given them credit for. Peace.

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  5. Casting a wide net is the correct approach, I'm sure. I never had to find agents for books that my boss wanted to publish, because all the academic publishers asked him for what he was working on. I cannot imagine how hard it must be to do what you're doing, but you are doing it! It's wonderful that you are, since perseverance is the first step toward success. I'm crossing my fingers for you, too! Just in case it helps. :-)

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    1. Dear DJan, thanks for the crossed fingers. I'm believing now not only in myself as a writer. I'm also believing in the worth of this manuscript. And I will advocate for it to every agent I can find who represents historical novels and other novels as well. Peace.

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  6. I love the wide net approach - and wishe you buckets of success.

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    1. Dear EC, thanks so much for the good wishes. I'll be posting about happens with this new venture and adventure! Peace.

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  7. Dee, I very much admire the systematic and disciplined way you are approaching this task of finding an agent. Casting your net in different directions - towards specialist agents and more general ones seems to me to give a much great chance of success. I wish you well in your search.

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    1. Dear Perpetua, casting that net wide seems so good to me. It just never occurred to me before because I was being so anal-retentive. Sticking to the "rules." I'm breaking open the cocoon! Resurrection. Peace.

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  8. It sounds like a sound approach Dee, with the best part being that you are loving it as you do it. I think that's the thing that will put wind in your sails, and send you to the right person at the right time, etc. Blessings to you as you go about finding the agent for you.

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    1. Dear Michelle, I am loving all this, especially now that I have some confidence in myself and my writing. It's taken years upon years to come to this place but I'm believing--finally--that I write well and that what I write is worth getting published. I know that you, a fellow writer, understand. Peace.

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  9. I sense your self-confidence here. A bit different from the past and, yes, fascinating. I believe that a strong belief in your novel, in that it is not only good, but fascinating, will find its way into your letters to these agents. And they may start to worry if they don't respond, maybe someone else will, and they will lose out on a major novel.

    Dee, I have no idea where all the above came from, but came it did, so I will leave it there.

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    1. Dear Inger, I am so grateful to receive these words of yours--wherever they came from. Just this morning I said to a Minnesota friend that I thought the query letter I was crafting was different from those I've written in the past. Why? Because I'm different: I believe now that I can write and I believe in my writing. And so my attitude has changed. I'm hoping this newly discovered confidence will be apparent in the query I send out. You've just delighted me with your comment. Thank you, Inger. Peace.

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  10. Hi Dee, I do believe you are on the right track. Give your dreams the wings to fly and keep your spirits high :)

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    1. Dear Pam, thanks for stopping by with your encouraging comment. I do so hope that my dreams will fly high! Peace.

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