During #PitMad I was fortunate enough to get likes from two editors at reputable publishing houses. Huzzah! Except... both editors only take manuscripts through agents. They did mention wanting to be your submission list if they liked your pitch, should an agent send your MS to them.
So, my question is, when I query agents that might be a good fit, should I even mention these editor "likes," or will it just make me look like an arrogant asshat?
For starters, just asking the question means you are not an asshat of any kind.
Asshattery is largely performed by folks who don't think about what they do or say; they see the world as a reference librarian on demand: put on this earth to answer questions and solve problems for them and (the arrogant part here) no one else.
Now, to your question: YES this is something you put in your query.
And despite my oft repeated instructions to put all that stuff at the close of the query, I'd lead with this.
"My #PitMad entry for this book was given star/likes by Luious Lucy at LotsABucks Publishing and Snobby Snodgrass at Snooty Rooty Tooty Publishing"
Then you start the the query as you would normally:
She was a dark and stormy knight. Sir SharkForBrains and her trusty steed Plodgrass were set upon by ruffians. Ruffians who spoke the Queen's English but looked more like the Queen's gargoyles.
 |
| oh my godiva, it's the Q! |
19 comments:
Congratulations, OP! I hope your querying goes great.
Thanks for my first laugh of the day, Janet. Several, actually. And "ruffians"--it's on my list of favorite words! Used not once, but twice. Back-to-back! Oh, what a wonderful day!
I never do these #hashtag events. Now, I wonder if I should? OP, enjoy your journey into the trenches. It sounds like you found a lovely leg up.
And thanks for the laugh, Janet.
I could't help but think about Q from Star Trek when I read the caption under the gargoyle. Put a smile on my face.
Anyway, congrats OP on the likes and good luck in the trenches!
This brought all kinds of smiles. She was a dark and stormy knight. HA! LOVE. And OP, YAY you!
Congrats, OP. That's awesome!
Many smiles from here too! And this phrase made my heart sing: "...they see the world as a reference librarian on demand: put on this earth to answer questions and solve problems for them and (the arrogant part here) no one else."
I am one of these reference librarians. And it's true; some people just expect librarians to drop everything they are doing and, for lack of a better term, "play fetch." Some of the worse ones then decide that because you are good at playing fetch for them, you are hereby forever their fetcher, and nevermind that there are other people in the library who might also need help. Of course, this is only a small percentage (most who approach me are of the decent, non-asshattery type), but thank you, Janet, for seeing librarians and what we do.
Side note: While I was getting my library degree, one of my professors told us a story about a reference librarian who, after too many years at the desk, would simply respond, "What?" when approached. Apparently she'd been playing fetch enough. :)
And many congrats, OP!
Fingers crossed for you, OP. And thanks, Janet, for this morning's smile.
IO have never considered #PitMad. I had an excuse this year. My dark and stormy knights strove mightily to conquer my query. They needed a rest.
Best of luck OP
Reminds me of the Christmas I made ginger beer for all my friends -- for dark & stormies, of course. I delivered it in bail bottles with a side of Kraken and strict instructions to consume the ginger beer within two weeks. One friend is a very fine cellist for a very fine orchestra, and she was eschewing sugar while she prepared an audition for a coveted chair, so she let her bottle languish in the fridge for a couple of months. I make my ginger beer with champagne yeast, and let's just say those wee beasties are very good at their jobs. Ker-POW! I stick to truffles and fudge and fleur de sel caramels now, which rarely explode. That's my dark & stormy tale. I like to think that if she had gone ahead and chugged the ginger beer, she'd have gotten that chair.
Congratulations on the strong interest from editors, OP!
Congrats, OP, and good luck! Keep us posted.
Fearless Reider: my eldest brother once picked and crushed a bunch of elderberries, put them in glass bottles, and left them to ferment outside our childhood home. A few weeks brewing in the West-facing sun and...kaboom! The exterior of the house was never the same again. In the same vein, our son went back to college last September and left us with a gigantic jar of naturally-fermenting hot sauce. It literally kept me awake at night for fear it would explode and destroy at least one room of the house! Thankfully, all ended well (and the hot sauce was decent).
ps - I want to hear more about the adventures of Plodgrass and his dark and stormy knight! :-)
Very best of luck, OP!!
I love how supportive this community is here at the Reef. Such a breath of fresh air compared to the rest of the Internet. Love you all.
Congratulations on the interest from editors, OP!
Congrats, OP! And all the best with snagging an agent.
Really enjoyed all the dark and stormy stories! Unexpected explosions an added plot bonus.
Claire,, an elderberry-colored house sounds delightful, if splotchy! And hot sauce sounds like a marvelous thing to experiment with next, if my friends don't lock their doors when they see me slinking up their sidewalks, bearing gifts.
“She was a dark and stormy knight.”
I’d read that! Sounds fun.
Great advice (of course) and **he he** humor. And lord! I'm the asshat...not heard of this term before.
Post a Comment