Agent Queries

I've recently started looking for a literary agent. Getting professional representation is almost as hard as getting published. Authors I've talked to say that getting an agent can take 30-60 attempts, even for an outstanding book. Knowing this figure, I started researching ways to improve my chances.

Match prospective agents to your style and genre. Agentquery.com and Writer's Market provided me with a wealth of information on how to track down agents that specialize in my kind of writing (or as close to my kind of writing as anyone gets). Agent Query has a robust, customizable search feature that will give you agents' names, contact information, and most recent sales.

Make sure that the agent is accepting new clients. Many agents already have full client lists (some represent about 50 at once) and only add one or two new clients a year. Check agents' profiles on their agencies' web sites to see if they're seeking new clients. Agent Query also lets you filter searches by agents with openings on their client lists.

(Optional) check to see if the agent is an AAR member. The Association of Authors' Representatives is a voluntary professional organization of literary agents. AAR agents adhere to an admirable list of principles, including the requirement that they not charge reading fees. Considering the glut of inexperienced and scam agents that entered the market in the last several years, AAR membership is a good sign that an agent can be trusted.

Write a query letter. Unlike publishers, which usually want to see your whole manuscript (or at least several chapters) up front, most agents prefer that first contact be made with a short introductory letter. There are almost as many tips for writing query letters as there are agents, but some guidelines are constant.

• Keep it short: between 250-300 words. Agents are busy and you must grab their attention fast.
• Each query has three parts: project details, a hook, and an author bio. Include such details as the book's genre, the total word count, whether it's a standalone story or part of a series, etc. The hook is a sales pitch that should sound like the blurb you'd want to appear on the back cover. As for the bio, give relevant information only, such as past publications and any special expertise that qualifies you to write this story.
• Personalize each query. Name the agent in the salutation. Mention books that the agent has sold which are similar to yours. Tell the agent why you chose him.
• Share information about your book's characters, plot, and themes. Explain the action of your story in terms of who the main characters are, what they want, and what's keeping them from getting it. Don't be afraid to reveal spoilers (but the ending can wait for the synopsis).
• Sound humble without being self-deprecating.
• Sound confident without being arrogant.
• Set the proper tone. The query letter should convey your writing style. It shouldn't be dry, stilted, and excessively formal. Neither should it suggest undue familiarity. Use your narrative voice in a professional manner.
• An agent's time is valuable. Thank him in the closing.

Again, Agent Query has more detailed guidelines.

Agent Kristin Nelson shares and analyzes a successful fantasy novel query letter.

Of course, there's lots more to know about finding an agent. Feel free to ask me for specifics. If I don't know, I'll do my best to find someone who does.

In the meantime, I leave you with this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=c9fc-crEFDw

Nomen Omen

"The name is an omen."
     -ancient Roman proverb

I've been giving serious thought to choosing a pen name for my fiction writing efforts. It's been pointed out that distinguishing my novels from my nonfiction commentary would help to narrow and target interest in each area. Sounds reasonable.

Any thoughts on whether adopting a pen name is a good idea? If so, I'm taking suggestions on potential names. Diego T. Iglesias is my current favorite (major points to anyone who guesses why).

Besides, compared to Jason Pargin I don't think it's too much of a stretch. I'm not of Latin-American descent, but I do have a fondness for Latin.

What do you think?

January 2013 Update

I heard back from Donald Maass. His client list is full. I appreciated the relatively quick turnaround time on my query, though. There are still two other agents I'm waiting to hear back from.

Nick Enlowe's annual Novel Push Initiative is over. All three participants acquitted themselves admirably this time. I captured the coveted Highest Words Written Total thanks to a sudden fit of fevered inspiration on the final day, but this is one contest in which all of the contestants can truly be called winners.

December Update

Just a bit of necessary blog maintenance:

-Agents queried: 4
-Replies to queries: 2
-Rejected queries: 2
-Form rejections: 2

Also, I've submitted a pitch/synopsis/first 40 pages to Tor. With any luck, my submission packet is in their slush pile as I write this sentence.

This week the agent hunt continues, as does my ongoing revision of Souldancer. As of this writing, I'm on chapter ten.

In closing, here is sage advice from John C. Wright.

Nethereal Final

I'm pleased to say that the final version of my Nethereal manuscript is done. The final draft is far leaner and smoother than the others, weighing in at 541 pages (compare that figure to 720 for the original). That's without deleting any chapters or scenes; just making smarter word choices and using more concise phrasing. The shift to third person variable perspective also helped to weed out excessive description and exposition while adding dialogue.

I don't plan on making any further changes unless a professional editor orders them, so the next step is to start querying agents. I'll keep everyone apprised of how my search goes.

Beta Geminorum Featured at Drunken Zombie

First a quick update: the most recent Nethereal manuscript revision is fast drawing to a close. I've had some slumps in productivity but should be able to make my end of the month goal if I stay disciplined. When the manuscript is done, I plan to start querying agents.

Of more immediate interest, the fine folks over at Drunken Zombie have graciously featured my first short story "Beta Geminorum" in their 31 Days of Halloween short story series. Zombie inebriate in chief Bryan Wolford has assembled an impressive catalog of shocking tales both classic and contemporary, and it's an honor to be included in his list among luminaries like Ambrose Bierce and H.G. Wells.

Also, be sure to check out Bryan's gripping short story "The Incident at Bowling Ball Tree". It's a macabre coming of age tale in the tradition of Stephen King's "The Body" and is well worth your time.

Submission Update

I just heard back from Pyr, who have opted to pass on the Nethereal manuscript. I was hoping for a little feedback, but as mentioned on their submissions page they didn't have time to give details.

Still, the turnaround time of only six weeks for a slush pile submission is pretty impressive. I'd prepared myself to wait for months. Now I can safely shop the book around without fear of simultaneous submissions.

The latest revision has reached chapter 28. It shouldn't be long before the manuscript is ready to be sent out again. I'll keep you posted as always.