Creepy Query Girl- Are there any other bloggers out there?
After two months of querying agents in the US, I've learned a lot
about the differences between UK and US querying. As most of
you know, agents in the UK prefer hard copy queries sent through
the post and they usually take about 8-12 weeks after the date of
reception to respond. They prefer a simple explicatory type
query letter, first three chapters and synopsis.
Americans, on the other hand, have gone fashionably 'green' and many top agencies no longer accept hard copy submissions. They prefer an email with a pitchy query letter and a sample of your writing (anywhere from 5-30 pages). Some don't even want a sample and are sold on reading your manuscript through the query alone. If they like your query, they ask for a proposal by email (first chapters and synopsis).
Response time can vary with US agencies but in my experience, if they like your idea they can email you back within minutes or days. If they really are as backed up on slush as they say, they usually respond within a few weeks. And then there are others who really do take the 8-12 weeks they admit to on their websites.
Now, through all of this, I've come upon the same concept on american agent blogs- Writers who have an online platform- a blog where they talk about themselves and their writing- are taken more seriously when they query.
Sounds reasonable if you ask me. Its just added incentive to take you on if you already have a group of people who are interested in what you have to say.
So that is why I've finally decided (after thinking long and hard) to become an official blogger.
Don't get me wrong, it isn't JUST to catch an agents attention. Its also a way to share what I've learned so far, vent about the trials and tribulations of being a querier, and find humor in a frustrating situation.
So that's why I've named my blog the 'Creepy Query Girl':) Not that I believe I am a creep and I definitely don't want to give agents that impression. BUT I honestly feel that the querying process (at least in the US) makes just about everyone feel a little creepy - always monitoring authors and agent blogs. I see so many level headed and talented writers chomping at the bits on the bottom of these major blog gene pools, just hoping for a grain of truth or knowledge. Creepy if you ask me.
SO if anyone is interested in giving it a look or being a friend or follower, here is my link:
http://creepyquerygirl.blogspot.com/
If any of my word cloud friends are bloggers, please let me know! I'm new to all this so any advice will be helpful!
See you all in cyberspace:)
Katie
Americans, on the other hand, have gone fashionably 'green' and many top agencies no longer accept hard copy submissions. They prefer an email with a pitchy query letter and a sample of your writing (anywhere from 5-30 pages). Some don't even want a sample and are sold on reading your manuscript through the query alone. If they like your query, they ask for a proposal by email (first chapters and synopsis).
Response time can vary with US agencies but in my experience, if they like your idea they can email you back within minutes or days. If they really are as backed up on slush as they say, they usually respond within a few weeks. And then there are others who really do take the 8-12 weeks they admit to on their websites.
Now, through all of this, I've come upon the same concept on american agent blogs- Writers who have an online platform- a blog where they talk about themselves and their writing- are taken more seriously when they query.
Sounds reasonable if you ask me. Its just added incentive to take you on if you already have a group of people who are interested in what you have to say.
So that is why I've finally decided (after thinking long and hard) to become an official blogger.
Don't get me wrong, it isn't JUST to catch an agents attention. Its also a way to share what I've learned so far, vent about the trials and tribulations of being a querier, and find humor in a frustrating situation.
So that's why I've named my blog the 'Creepy Query Girl':) Not that I believe I am a creep and I definitely don't want to give agents that impression. BUT I honestly feel that the querying process (at least in the US) makes just about everyone feel a little creepy - always monitoring authors and agent blogs. I see so many level headed and talented writers chomping at the bits on the bottom of these major blog gene pools, just hoping for a grain of truth or knowledge. Creepy if you ask me.
SO if anyone is interested in giving it a look or being a friend or follower, here is my link:
http://creepyquerygirl.blogspot.com/
If any of my word cloud friends are bloggers, please let me know! I'm new to all this so any advice will be helpful!
See you all in cyberspace:)
Katie
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11 Comments
Re the 'creepy' tag, I often think of agencies/publishers as women and myself as the interested guy, as it clarifies the overall protocol in my mind.
(1) She definitely sounds like my type.
(2) Was that a rejection letter or does she just want me to try harder?
(3) Do I want to try harder? Ie. how many hoops am I prepared to jump through?
(4) Four months go by and she still hasn't returned my initial phone call. Should I ring her?
(the answer, is no, by the way).
(5) Maybe she wasn't my type.
(6) She does ring me after six months and expresses interest. Should I go on a date with her?*
Funnily enough, this doesn't reflect how I used to interact with the opposite sex at all - or, hopefully, my attitude towards women. I'm not sure what my dating strategy actually was, mind. I was invariably too drunk to remember.
* this has never actually happened, but if it did, the answer would still be no. Any agency that makes you wait six months before getting back to you is either incompetent or on a power trip.
How will you decide the topics to discuss? How often will you add to it? I'll watch your experiences with interest. :)
Having a blog is brilliant, I got advice from 3 published writers, and they are all very nice people. See you in blogger!
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