I've just read some of Uncle Orson's articles on this site, and this one on who to query said something different than I've been hearing/reading in my research so far. http://www.hatrack.com/writingclass/lessons/1999-01-29.shtml This article is from 1999, and in it, OSC says if you're marketing sf or fantasy, to query publishers, not agents. Is this advice still accurate now in 2007? I'm going to be sending out queries in a few weeks, and need to know which way to go with them. Thanks for any answers you may have!
Lynda
Posted by kings_falcon (Member # 3261) on :
Some of the publishing houses will take unagented submissions but most houses won't. The market has changed a lot since 1999. For novels, you really do need the agent if you aren't going to try for a handful of houses or self publishing.
If you can get an agent, you are out of the publisher's slush pile. The agent will know which editor/ house likes the kind of story you wrote and can direct the novel to that person.
Posted by Lynda (Member # 3574) on :
That's what I thought. Thanks a lot! OSC needs to update that post!!
Lynda
Posted by Spaceman (Member # 9240) on :
In 2005 bootcamp it was still true. You get around the roadblock with a pre-query query.
Posted by Survivor (Member # 213) on :
Short fiction paves the way.
Posted by Statesman on :
No I disagree. When was the last time you saw fantasy short fiction as a large medium? Fantasy must start in the novel format, almost always.
Posted by Survivor (Member # 213) on :
Ah, but writers often start out in short fiction. No, it won't pay the bills, but it will get you noticed, and looks good on your query letters. Any number of degrees, memberships, interests, or whatever else "qualifies" you to write fantasy novels fades to insignificance beside a publication credit for a good story in a known market.
Posted by Skribent (Member # 5143) on :
I just happened to stumble across this (somewhat) older post.
quote:In 2005 bootcamp it was still true. You get around the roadblock with a pre-query query.
What is a pre-query query?
Posted by Spaceman (Member # 9240) on :
Simply a brief letter with a back-cover-length pitch for the novel. You offer the outline and sample chapters, making it a 3-step process instead of a 2-step process.
Posted by mommiller (Member # 3285) on :
The best advice I can think of for querying, comes from Miss Snark. A literary agent who blogs regularly.
She basically says to do your research on the Agents, using their web pages, Writer's Market, etc. Agents have guidlines, such as whether they take e-subs, or not and what they want in a query, whether it be sample pages a first page etc.
Her biggest rule is to just follow the directions for the particular agent that you are querying. No more, no less.
Nathan Bransford's blog, (another agent who blogs,) lists some pretty nifty reasons certain queries catch his eye too. Check out last Thursday's words of wisdom on this topic for inspiration.
[This message has been edited by mommiller (edited March 24, 2007).]