Friday, June 12, 2009

Query Writing Services are a total waste of money

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: writing and sending your own query is an invaluable part of the publishing process. You have to do it. Paying someone to do it for you is akin to paying someone to learn hopscotch for you: they can hit every square from twosies on up, but you'll still be standing there holding the chalk at the starting point.

If you want the latest evidence of query writing service failure, read Rachelle Gardners very nice, very temperate, very polite blog post. Me, I just let Priscilla deal with 'em.

4 comments:

Lumpy Dog said...

I wouldn't say it's a total waste. At least you'd be doing your part to keep children employed in third world query sweatshops.

Trespasser said...

Beautiful analogy. Here's another - It's like paying someone to pole vault for you, but after they sail over, the pole falls back on your head.

PurpleClover said...

I can see WHY people attempt this. But I don't see how it would actually work nor would I want to try.

As a matter of fact I think I vaguely remember an article a few months back where an author admitted she didn't write her query and it raised a HUGE discussion via various blog posts & comments. I can't remember the details but in the end it was evident that it is just better to do it yourself.

Daisy Bateman said...

I was reminded of this recently while reading about a new business that handles your online dating for you. Really-- they write your profile, touch up your pictures, screen your potential matches, send your communications and even arrange the first date. And anyone who thinks that's a good idea will probably also love query services.