tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post7545603514223121681..comments2023-10-30T03:57:36.471-07:00Comments on Creepy Query Girl: No means 'NO'! Or does it?Creepy Query Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115161057496086972noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-42550419479785961192010-11-16T00:59:22.087-08:002010-11-16T00:59:22.087-08:00That's an excellent point, and I don't see...That's an excellent point, and I don't see why you aren't able to do that. Stupid agencies >.<<br />I agree that the ms needs serious revisions before submission, but as you said, if you're getting a number of rejections, the ms should be revised anyway.Jamie Gibbshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15168603412367448706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-2195972889307615742010-11-11T07:19:55.456-08:002010-11-11T07:19:55.456-08:00I think they have this stipulation to prevent all ...I think they have this stipulation to prevent all those writers who insist on querying every other agent with the agency immediately after they get a rejection from one. Think of how many additional queries (and work, and time, and email inbox space...) that creates for the agency when the odds are that it's going to result in a rejection all the way around.<br /><br />What you are proposing is perfectly reasonable. The problem is, they can't very well put on their website, "Responsible and reasonable writers are the exception to the rule" because that would open up the floodgates to everyone. Everyone thinks he is the exception to the rule.<br /><br />I totally understand where you're coming from, though. I'm guessing that if you've really done your homework, time has passed and the manuscript actually is revised, and the other agent is a good fit for the project, you might be able to query a different agent with no problems.Laura Maylenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18058744860709615256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-9021014822451948252010-11-09T19:16:22.805-08:002010-11-09T19:16:22.805-08:00I agree. The idea of not querying an agent just be...I agree. The idea of not querying an agent just because another agent in his/her office didn't fall in love with your manuscript is ludicrous (unless of course, all agents at said agency review every single incoming query, meet on it, and cast a majority-rules vote). Yeah, right.Shannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11640509596922335617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-63341894273994586352010-11-09T17:08:02.642-08:002010-11-09T17:08:02.642-08:00Since I haven't started querying yet, this was...Since I haven't started querying yet, this was eye opening, and I think I agree with you. <br />Are they serving ice cream at Hanks for the next meeting? I hope they give us a discount.MTeacresshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00381461599028233499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-29581353428166483242010-11-09T11:36:44.487-08:002010-11-09T11:36:44.487-08:00Well said. Another thing that can happen is the ag...Well said. Another thing that can happen is the agency hires a new agent long after your first query was rejected. If the new agent is a good fit, then yes, query them.Tamara Narayanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03725262301091012950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-9868560370463512992010-11-09T10:30:57.617-08:002010-11-09T10:30:57.617-08:00I personally wouldn't query the same agent twi...I personally wouldn't query the same agent twice...but I'd definitely try in the same agency (after a revision). I don't think agents are talking to each other about the rejections they send.Carolyn Abiadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10567399129586443513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-52133188486191140822010-11-09T06:30:50.907-08:002010-11-09T06:30:50.907-08:00I think it's POSSIBLE that agencies who say th...I think it's POSSIBLE that agencies who say that may have a more formalized system for passing queries around--if it really is a matter of taste. That said, i think Jessica's point about Kim not even SEEING that Jessica might like it because it was SO not her thing she had a hard time evaluating--can totally see that.<br /><br />AND that said that said (yes, twice)--I even think you are within rights querying the SAME agent if you've made substantial changes--(I'd TELL THEM, in case they spot it...)--so definitely... once changed, go for it.Hart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-61624192569378023852010-11-09T06:26:49.856-08:002010-11-09T06:26:49.856-08:00I've just realised that there are several of m...I've just realised that there are several of my followers who I haven't yet met so thought I'd stop by to say hello and thank you for following. Nice to have met you, I've enjoyed visiting.Felicity Grace Terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17852843882007267665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-482994263317058232010-11-08T23:41:00.721-08:002010-11-08T23:41:00.721-08:00Wow, this is great. I'd never really thought a...Wow, this is great. I'd never really thought about it before, but you make some really good points here! I wonder why that is. I think some of the things you mentioned--like falling for the same Jude Law--make a really compelling case against the practice. Thanks for the food for thought.LARCHMONThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07484862915577134235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-31050916410851000642010-11-08T21:03:52.548-08:002010-11-08T21:03:52.548-08:00Good points. It reminds me of parent shopping by ...Good points. It reminds me of parent shopping by a child looking for permission...Slamdunkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13087161268629251860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-84836651983774831162010-11-08T20:12:11.280-08:002010-11-08T20:12:11.280-08:00I agree, that's frustrating. I would/will defi...I agree, that's frustrating. I would/will definatley submit to other agents at the same agency, if/when I decide to do major revisions. if an agent falls in love with your work, I doubt they're going to say, "oh darn, I can't rep her because she queried Sally before me."Melissa Gillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02700191547004665402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-27970093598788876132010-11-08T18:59:40.183-08:002010-11-08T18:59:40.183-08:00Very interesting post! Good point - if it's so...Very interesting post! Good point - if it's so subjective, how can one agent decide for the entire agency?Susan Fieldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02433408456603462774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-14825882999906180912010-11-08T18:14:39.492-08:002010-11-08T18:14:39.492-08:00Great post!
I agree, if agents want to throw aro...Great post! <br /><br />I agree, if agents want to throw around the "publishing is very subjective" line in their rejection letters then their agency should back up that sentiment.<br /><br />It also annoys me when agents say, "Sure we share queries. If something sounds good for someone else." That only helps a writer who queried the wrong agent to begin with.<br /><br />While I'm sure some big agencies get hit with some annoying repeat queries, they're throwing away opportunities for those writers who are in the "maybe" pile by not letting all their agents have a look at it.<br /><br />I agree with others, especially if the query is sent directly to individual agents instead of a general submission email then feel free to let some time pass and submit to that same agency.Jennifer Hoffinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07616744694563644199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-43665360415937093812010-11-08T17:05:17.319-08:002010-11-08T17:05:17.319-08:00Hear...hear!! I agree 100%. If I worked in a lar...Hear...hear!! I agree 100%. If I worked in a large agency I would have an issue with that stipulation. Sometimes a manuscript is turned down even though it shows promise because the agent doesn't have the requistite time to devote to it. Just because one agent has caught their limit doesnt mean all of them have. ???DL Hammonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02007260062331783715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-88354430297157955832010-11-08T17:00:02.711-08:002010-11-08T17:00:02.711-08:00psst---a certain large agency says that (initials ...psst---a certain large agency says that (initials A.B.L.), but I queried all the agents I liked there anyway w/BNN. And guess what? I got different responses from all three. E.g., one said no thanks, one (MK) gave me *great* revision feedback, and another asked me to send her my next novel. (!)<br /><br />I.e., I ignore that. :D lol~LTMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05239077455322030275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-86738046359753445102010-11-08T11:59:38.406-08:002010-11-08T11:59:38.406-08:00That's such a tough one, isn't it? I usual...That's such a tough one, isn't it? I usually do follow rules 'coz I'm like that (argh) but hey, it's probably worth a shot!Talli Rolandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04780882465745107715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-12074334204718564742010-11-08T10:26:14.522-08:002010-11-08T10:26:14.522-08:00This is an important subject. I think the one thin...This is an important subject. I think the one thing we can be sure of is that it's important to read guidelines. Usually a company with a "go away means stay away" policy will say so. I think that often happens when there's a single query address and one intern or assistant screens for all the agents and she gets cranky seeing the same query coming around again and again. <br /><br />But on the other hand, assistants and interns don't often work that long at one agency, so if you wait a few months, there's probably a whole new gatekeeper.<br /><br />But you can never be sure. I once queried one agent with no such stated policy, in an agency that looked like a good fit for my genre. So after the first agent rejected me, I did some revisions and re-submitted to another agent in the firm. I got an immediate rejection saying "we rejected your query at 10 AM on April 14. Don't query us again, ever." <br /><br />Yeah. Don't worry. I won't buy any books from your clients, either.<br /><br />Roland, that's a great story about H.P. Lovecraft. Thanks!Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-79811119993159626472010-11-08T10:00:36.522-08:002010-11-08T10:00:36.522-08:00Great post.
I've seen this on afew agency sit...Great post.<br /><br />I've seen this on afew agency sites and panicked. I'd probably query that agent, leave it a few months and then query another at the agency.Lindsayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04313619484424363895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-78468913852179961732010-11-08T09:44:34.088-08:002010-11-08T09:44:34.088-08:00I agree, After a certain amount of time and revisi...I agree, After a certain amount of time and revisions, is the chance of being caught really good at all? And even if they did the agent would have to read it first right? what if that agent loved it and said to hell with the rules? This struck me as silly too. How can one be the word for all? I'd be miffed if someone passed on something I loved. Surely they can't be asking every agent for their opinion before rejecting it.Colene Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06086195075690893194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-23275614336015056722010-11-08T09:38:43.480-08:002010-11-08T09:38:43.480-08:00I find it hard to believe that if you tried it the...I find it hard to believe that if you tried it they would catch you. How could they possibly remember 1 R in thousands? Not that I've tested this theory.Matthew MacNishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03264738483763244969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-56541204099078459882010-11-08T08:31:33.742-08:002010-11-08T08:31:33.742-08:00I read that article too, and felt the same way you...I read that article too, and felt the same way you did. This entire post could have been written by me (except that it wasn't, and you said it far better than I would have). Great post, Katie! :-)Shannon O'Donnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17299313309059235876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-75465301721338659692010-11-08T08:23:19.686-08:002010-11-08T08:23:19.686-08:00I've wondered this. Doesn't it go back to ...I've wondered this. Doesn't it go back to personal preference, sometimes?? Especially once a manuscript has been overhauled? Sigh...thanks for bringing this up. Not ready to query yet, but when I am I'll remember this.S.A. Larsenッhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06241633272588383935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-16196263356638614322010-11-08T08:18:47.816-08:002010-11-08T08:18:47.816-08:00Oh man, thank you Jessica!!! Personally I don'...Oh man, thank you Jessica!!! Personally I don't care for agencies that have that rule, because it serves no purpose to the hard-working writer who's simply trying to find the right fit. I say, queryqueryquery.Candylandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08956196611348299424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-16396259396829600322010-11-08T08:10:47.522-08:002010-11-08T08:10:47.522-08:00I agree with you. If the ms has been revised again...I agree with you. If the ms has been revised again and there is someone in the agency that may like it better. It doesn't hurt to try. =)Carolyn V.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15456210036213016603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-85708759732598037582010-11-08T07:25:11.433-08:002010-11-08T07:25:11.433-08:00Thank you for stepping on your laundry basket and ...Thank you for stepping on your laundry basket and sharing your views. This is very important to put out there!<br /><br />I would have submitted after major revisions to a different agent within the same agency because you're right, the agent has to fall in love with it, and not one agent can speak for another!<br /><br />I'm with Jess, ignore and send anyway (within reason of course!)<br /><br />Happy Monday!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03667521490706435608noreply@blogger.com