This topic has been boxed around a lot. However, it’s an issue that I started dealing with from the first time I sent out work. I still hear it discussed by writers, at conferences and on blog posts. There are uncertainties and pitfall, so it’s best that we find out all we can about this submitting process. After all we’re trying to look and behave like professional writers.
Here are two of the best sites I’ve found about submission. In Writer Unboxed, Chuck Sambuchino lays out a submission plan that makes so much sense. Don’t query 50 and risk the chance of having all of them turn you down. Test the waters with 6-8. Find out if your query is working. If it isn’t, get help, then fix it, and then send out to another selected group of agents.
For some real nitty gritty Wowpaloozie stuff on all things Submissions take a look at Author!Author::Anne Mini’s Blog. There’s enough information about all things submission to give you the confidence to hit the query trail just right. Here’s a small sample.
- EXCLUSIVES AND MULTIPLE SUBMISSION
- EXCLUSIVES TO AGENTS
- INDUSTRY ETIQUETTE, IS IT OKAY TO SUBMIT TO SEVERAL AGENTS AT ONCE?
- WHAT IF MORE THAN ONE AGENT ASKS TO SEE MY MANUSCRIPT? AND WHAT IF THE FIRST REQUEST IS FOR AN EXCLUSIVE? (Wowzer. Dilema, yes. But you can avoid this with some homework. See how.)
Now on to do a bit of research, write my next bang up go get ’em query, and check in with my WriteCampaign groups.
Nas Dean says
Thanks for the lovely photo and the links!
Barbara Fisher March House Books says
I love the expression on the boxer's face – such a sweetheart!
Marcia says
Nice resources! And Chuck S's advice about querying in small batches is right on.
Shelley Koon says
Awesome info – thank you Lee! I love links like this I can add to my resources for that day when I finally finish my MS and have it all polished and ready to go. You rock lady 😉
Susan Fields says
Thanks for the links! Chuck Sambuchino is awesome!
Carrie Butler says
Great advice! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
I wish this guy was mine, Ashling. No such luck.
Crystal Collier says
Oye! I completely agree about only querying a few agents at a time to test the water. Once you have a query that really works, then it's time to break out the kick-boxing list and go to town.
I still have to make out my spreadsheet and break submissions into groups. Oh wait, I should finish my current draft first. =) Querying is such a pain.
Angelina C. Hansen says
Thanks for the adorable boxer photo. Love that breed!
Ashling says
Great info…have often wondered about this. Have to ask–is that your boxer? We have a boxer-bulldog-shepherd mix ourselves. Anyway, wishing you a lovely day, and thank you for popping in!