tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post4877050228303737077..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Query TimingJanet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-12911385754558749522015-10-12T07:41:00.691-04:002015-10-12T07:41:00.691-04:00Julie, my point was not "don't query in D...Julie, my point was not "don't query in December" - nor to posit that all agents feel this way - but that with each agent, mileage may vary.DLMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08768285199864217885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-6618951927829434762015-10-11T22:02:34.930-04:002015-10-11T22:02:34.930-04:00BJ Muntain said...
"Best time to query an age...BJ Muntain said...<br />"Best time to query an agent: While they're still an agent.<br />Worst time to query an agent: After they die."<br /><br /><br />Ahahahahah!!! This is so true.<br /><br />I've queried agents while they're still agents and I (usually) get a response. This is why I consider this the best advice.<br /><br />I once queried an agent juuuust before she stopped being an agent. I got a blanket reject notifying me she was closing up shop. Alas. She repped much of what I write.<br /><br />A loooong time ago I queried a screenplay agent only to get a letter back informing me of the agent's passing six months previous. This was pre-internet, when Writer's Marketplace was only put out once a year. News did not travel fast. <br /><br />Now, I am a few weeks away over querying my next project and am sharing Opie's anxiety. This will be the true test of my book's brilliance. I am convinced; can I convince others?Her Grace, Heidi, the Duchess of Knealehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17818060864422019573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-30100060316205472522015-10-11T20:36:48.949-04:002015-10-11T20:36:48.949-04:00Did someone say "cake"????Did someone say "cake"????Panda in Chiefhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14160375490647791433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-68202599324900692372015-10-11T19:11:51.004-04:002015-10-11T19:11:51.004-04:00Pertaining to the comments about NaNoWriMo queries...Pertaining to the comments about NaNoWriMo queries: Angry Robot Books is going to have another unagented submission period in December (their last one was a few years back), and <a href="http://angryrobotbooks.com/2015/09/announcing-a-new-open-door-period-at-angry-robot/" rel="nofollow">in their Open Door Announcement</a>, they even say "The Open Door period will last from 1 December 15 to 31 January 2016. Yes, that does coincidentally mean that you could take advantage of this year’s NaNoWriMo to finish that manuscript in time to get it in to us. You clever thing." and I just <i>cringed</i>, because I'm a NaNoWriMo veteran at this point, and I don't do any of the silly cheats people discuss on the forums (though I do read that thread to feel better about myself if I'm in a slump) and what I've produced at the end of the month is not fit to be seen by eyes other than my own without a good edit and overhaul. It's not meant to be. First drafts are first drafts. <br /><br /><br />(and for those interested, I think I'll be writing about Space this NaNoWriMo. I've been reading and ruminating for awhile, and the water-on-Mars news [and the water ice on Pluto news] has been invigorating)Jennifer R. Donohuehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00363886899308588391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-37464603272639314582015-10-11T17:14:54.878-04:002015-10-11T17:14:54.878-04:00Adib: It would probably be a best seller.Adib: It would probably be a best seller.BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-48128710884600908912015-10-11T15:36:54.597-04:002015-10-11T15:36:54.597-04:00Book proposal: a book explaining how one can use a...Book proposal: a book explaining how one can use astrology to determine the optimum time to query, based on writer's sign, agent's sign, book genre and category, and the shapes of the coffee stains on the manuscript's pages.Adib Khorramhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03836332867898941638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-31889599746226754912015-10-11T02:21:05.366-04:002015-10-11T02:21:05.366-04:00Send it when it's ready. Make sure you have t...<br />Send it when it's ready. Make sure you have the agent's name spelled correctly.<br /><br />Lucky you Donna and Colin, to meet QOTKU and Patrick Lee and Jessica Faust and Barbara Poelle. I can't wait to read all about it on your blogs.<br /><br />off topic: Today Angela James' three week editing course finishes. I've learned so much, it's overwhelming. It was someone on the comments here who mentioned it on a discussion about editing services. But this isn't a service it's a course on editing. I can't tell you anything about it because she may publish a book and I don't want to plug someone else's jig here on QOTKU's blog.<br /><br />Now I just have to finish my manuscript so I can find the perfect time to query.angie Brooksby-Arcangiolihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08000615140577512304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-58425713335103431562015-10-10T22:24:37.652-04:002015-10-10T22:24:37.652-04:00I'm home from Bouchercon. Second Donna's c...I'm home from Bouchercon. Second Donna's comment. Wow! And it's so cool when people who are nice online are just as nice, if not nicer, in person (e.g., Donna, QOTKU, Barbara Poelle). Another observation from Bouchercon: that thing about writers all being shy and introverted is a lie. That bar was NOISY! :)<br /><br />Anyway, yes, query whenever. I actually had a 15 min chat with Jessica Faust today (add her to the list of "even nicer in person than online"), and she reiterated the "don't worry about genre, just query" line that we've heard from Janet. And I don't think it's unreasonable to extrapolate that thought to WHEN you query. Unless the agent is closed to queries, that query will either land in her inbox, or in her minion's inbox. It'll be seen and evaluated at some point. What else do you want? :)<br /><br />I had a great time away, but it's nice to be home. Now I need to write all this up on the blog...Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-69903294237979644472015-10-10T21:56:39.658-04:002015-10-10T21:56:39.658-04:00Diane,
And yet, several agents were calling for q...Diane,<br /><br />And yet, several agents were calling for queries last December because their inboxes were empty and they were bored. <br /><br />I remember retweeting them and posting them on B&W since so many people were having the "should I query in December" shakes.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-9686507932896768192015-10-10T17:54:35.736-04:002015-10-10T17:54:35.736-04:00It's the knowing when the query letter is good...It's the knowing when the query letter is good enough that's the problem, not the time and date to send! <br /><br />Although it is good to know it's highly likely a rejection has nothing to do with the quality of my query letter, it's because the agent was slogging back eggnog while doing tax on a flight to Frankfurt - except for July. In July it's all on me. Note to self - NEVER query in July.AJ Blythehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04529233142099749005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-38065606420564853172015-10-10T16:20:45.076-04:002015-10-10T16:20:45.076-04:00Jessica Faust, though, has said pointblank that it...Jessica Faust, though, has said pointblank that it's pointless to query in December. This is another of those times it's wise to see what particular agents have to say. Or Captains.<br /><br />But I do love what Donna has to say: "My two cents, might as well query and wait instead of waiting to query."DLMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08768285199864217885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-52518150909581922412015-10-10T16:11:02.188-04:002015-10-10T16:11:02.188-04:00Best time to query an agent: While they're sti...Best time to query an agent: While they're still an agent.<br /><br />Worst time to query an agent: After they die.<br /><br />The longer you wait, the worse the time to query.<br /><br />Query now. Before it's too late.BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-90953939879338269182015-10-10T15:57:51.853-04:002015-10-10T15:57:51.853-04:00Querying is fun because I can pretend I'm actu...Querying is fun because I can pretend I'm actually working on my career. Hitting "send" is much easier than composing a sentence (or 50). At least, that's what I keep telling myself. <br /><br />It's good to know there are no particularly optimal (or sub-optimal) times to send a query. Makes it easier to keep my procrastinating self focused.Elissa Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10727748060605823895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-64103381447508645342015-10-10T15:38:31.297-04:002015-10-10T15:38:31.297-04:00Janet Reid is correct. Agents have rejected my que...Janet Reid is correct. Agents have rejected my queries all times of the year.Joseph S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07437663031050410028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-57315505778880747322015-10-10T15:28:29.531-04:002015-10-10T15:28:29.531-04:00Kind of love this post--sometimes the snark just m...Kind of love this post--sometimes the snark just makes you smile. :)<br /><br />BJ: your store line analogy is spot on!<br /><br />I wish I had more to add, but this week has been a strange one where I'm curiously devoid of any anecdotes, opinions, or thoughts--at all. I think my brain has been emptied of any coherence and filled with woodland worrying--I received two full requests and one partial based on the revised query this week--one of which was hidden in my email's spam folder (lesson learned: always check the spam folder!). Now I'm imagining what my manuscript is like through an agent's eyes and wondering if it's good enough. Writers be crazy.<br /><br />Good luck, OP! Even when you're ready, you're not ready, so take the chance and stock up on your drink of choice and plenty of cake.<br /><br />Oohh. Cake. Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05332570278984058081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-20174105999968152012015-10-10T15:19:20.644-04:002015-10-10T15:19:20.644-04:00In an ideal world, my query is only ever read roug...In an ideal world, my query is only ever read roughly an hour and a half after a particularly good meal, while seated in a comfortable chair, with a freshly poured glass of scotch at hand (but as yet barely touched), after a very, very good day.<br /><br />In an ideal world. <br /><br />Unfortunately, laws of probability suggest that my query is regularly read in a hot, crowded subway next to a person whose personal hygiene revolves around bathing in melted Limburger cheese. I feel exceedingly fortunate (and pat myself on the back for all the hours I spent agonizing over my letter) every time I get a request.<br /><br />And then I settle in for the waiting.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14516781355078281506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-7646072388409544512015-10-10T14:54:18.829-04:002015-10-10T14:54:18.829-04:00Good thoughts from all. As if we didn't have e...Good thoughts from all. As if we didn't have enough things to worry about. Glad to know I should cross this one off my list, because, of course, I worried.Panda in Chiefhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14160375490647791433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-47854305679083343752015-10-10T14:49:34.825-04:002015-10-10T14:49:34.825-04:00At this point, the only reason I am waiting to que...At this point, the only reason I am waiting to query is because I am going to Surrey where I will take a master class on queries and pitching. Hopefully, my query will be in better shape after Surrey. Plus, my batteries will be sufficiently recharged to bard my courser and mount a new assault. <br /><br />Way ho!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-83874557522585532092015-10-10T14:32:25.115-04:002015-10-10T14:32:25.115-04:00So, July. There is nothing stopping us from queryi...So, July. There is nothing stopping us from querying in July. I love when things are laid out with such a straightforward answer. Thank you, Sharky! I just wish Opie had asked this in June instead of October.<br /><br />(Or maybe they did ask in June and it just came up in October.)<br /><br />So when is the best time to inquire with a question about querying? John Frainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01702305890462479118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-26341776361259224232015-10-10T14:32:06.799-04:002015-10-10T14:32:06.799-04:00sigh. My letter droppage doth continue.
TO MEET....sigh. My letter droppage doth continue.<br /><br />TO MEET...QOTKUDonnaevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09026536210749494257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-16670759472081611282015-10-10T14:30:49.250-04:002015-10-10T14:30:49.250-04:00Good thing all I have to do is type words today. ...Good thing all I have to do is type words today. I talked enough yesterday to make my throat sore last night. I can NOT put into words how great it was to me QOTKU, Colin, Patrick Lee, Loretta Sue Ross, and Barbara Poelle last night. And to see some best selling authors on those panels, etc.<br /><br />*fans self* I could hardly sleep last night I was so giddy.<br /><br />Today's post. Ms. Janet has mentioned this before, but all info on writing, publishing, getting an agent, whatever, NEVER gets old. It's like eating Krispy Kreme doughnuts. You just can't get enough.<br /><br />I suppose 2N's and I are kind of on the same wavelength - which we have been of late.<br /><br />My two cents, might as well <b>query and wait</b> instead of <b>waiting to query.</b> <br /><br />You got to get in the game at some point.<br /><br />One thing I didn't see in the list (only b/c QOTKU knew we got it) was the fact that I've "HEARD" it's good to query over the holidays - some agents feel less of the crush due to folks being out, so they have less in their inboxes.<br /><br />Now. Isn't this helpful?<br /><br />Donnaevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09026536210749494257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-53018153254735827752015-10-10T14:23:08.987-04:002015-10-10T14:23:08.987-04:00"Another one? Don't query in December bec..."Another one? Don't query in December because that's when all the NaNoWriMo novels are queried."<br /><br />And yet most agents say they really don't get that many December queries from NaNo. What one agent did mention recently was some agents have a thing about trying to clear their inboxes out and start the new year with a clean slate, so they may not give as much time to queries in December. In looking at my spreadsheet, I see no difference in average reply times.<br /><br />Query when you're ready, as the lady said.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-6421449929506959932015-10-10T13:27:18.125-04:002015-10-10T13:27:18.125-04:00NOO Julie!!! Don't cry!!! There's no cryin...NOO Julie!!! Don't cry!!! There's no crying in baseball, or in writing... :)<br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10279775404794792090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-13944509960137718042015-10-10T12:51:18.778-04:002015-10-10T12:51:18.778-04:00The best time to query:
1. As soon as you get hom...The best time to query:<br /><br />1. As soon as you get home from the liquor store.<br />2. When Cadbury eggs hit the shelves.<br />3. When your phone battery is at 100% so you can check your email every 3 minutes (yes I know the industry standard is 5 minutes, but we're no slackers).<br />4. When you are otherwise VERY busy (I'd recommend just as you're leaving for Cancun - plenty to keep you occupied, but still cell phone reception).<br />5. As soon as you are really into writing that next book.<br /><br />Good luck, opie!Christina Seinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18411040428007697691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-16766463156802310682015-10-10T12:40:09.690-04:002015-10-10T12:40:09.690-04:00well gosh... reading that was like a procrastinato...well gosh... reading that was like a procrastinator's fantastical wet dream...<br /><br />Did I just say that? :o!Janice Grinyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14363741660626407979noreply@blogger.com