tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post6770706843036874293..comments2024-03-22T12:11:58.453-06:00Comments on Michael Offutt: Error in your query? Don't sweat it. Agent and Big Six contract incomingMichael Offutt, Phantom Readerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10557969104886174930noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-31786778891105349192011-09-30T01:07:43.107-06:002011-09-30T01:07:43.107-06:00Oooo, controversial post.
I recently wrote a pot...Oooo, controversial post. <br /><br />I recently wrote a potential post about queries I'm afraid to put up. I'm afraid I'll be blacklisted.<br /><br />As a writer, it is frustrating to see mistakes in a query that got an offer of representation anyway. I've been told that the world rides on queries. I've read similar - query shows quality of manuscript and if not getting requests for additional pages, revise the query.<br /><br />But since I always send the query with at least 5 pages, how do I know if it's the query or 5 pages?<br /><br />I've even read an agent will pass if the word "feel" shows up in the first 50 pages. If there's a spelling error in the first 5 pages, the agent will stop reading. There's all sorts of gloom and doom out there.<br /><br />Somehow other people (not me) are able to overcome there obstacles.Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-37778200075347039122011-09-29T07:45:57.192-06:002011-09-29T07:45:57.192-06:00I believe it's all about talent, skill, and lu...I believe it's all about talent, skill, and luck. Sometimes, you have to "create" your own luck. Someone sends a query to an agent because they've done research and figured out what the agent likes (since it is all subjective). Is it luck that the agent pulled that one magically out of the stack and loved it? Or is it the perseverance and research of the writer that created that opportunity? I have to hope that all three aspects- talent, skill, and luck- play a role.Brindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09809660700359597836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-69168593463147017622011-09-29T06:53:47.366-06:002011-09-29T06:53:47.366-06:00It is all about timing in this industry. I saw som...It is all about timing in this industry. I saw someone raise their hand quicker than me when an agent asked if anyone wrote something specific. The girl withe the quicker hand sold her story in three hours. I think next time I'll jump up and dance on the chair to be noticed. LOLCiarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15628488753277495111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-67933958789969527752011-09-29T06:52:40.437-06:002011-09-29T06:52:40.437-06:00It is all about timing in this industry. I saw som...It is all about timing in this industry. I saw someone raise their hand quicker than me when an agent asked if anyone wrote something specific. The girl withe the quicker hand sold her story in three hours. I think next time I'll jump up and dance on the chair to be noticed. LOLCiarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15628488753277495111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-39214284281900659192011-09-29T00:17:29.694-06:002011-09-29T00:17:29.694-06:00I particularly liked your closing line (or second ...I particularly liked your closing line (or second last line to be specific) about needing to invest in lucky charms... sometimes if feels like that...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-8793751924805148892011-09-28T22:11:08.960-06:002011-09-28T22:11:08.960-06:00I also want to add, though, that it IS subjective....I also want to add, though, that it IS subjective. That's where the luck comes in--finding the right agent for the right story at the right time. But that doesn't change the fact that you have to have a darn good book. <br /><br />And if an agent auto-rejects a query on a typo alone, then that's probably not an agent you'd want representing your book.Lori M. Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04858438789496971734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-89758472755687513172011-09-28T21:12:06.625-06:002011-09-28T21:12:06.625-06:00As someone who has read the story in question, I c...As someone who has read the story in question, I can guarantee that her book and characters are amazing. And yes, luck and timing play a huge part in querying, but no amount of luck is going to get you an agent or a book deal unless you can write and you actually have a great book.Lori M. Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04858438789496971734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-35084951570714404062011-09-28T18:13:26.198-06:002011-09-28T18:13:26.198-06:00This just goes to prove that if you hook the agent...This just goes to prove that if you hook the agent, little errors won't be noticed. So, sure luck went into it, but I think the query just struck the right nerve (which is all about luck, come to think of it).Liz A.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16531953467834426316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-31906229409882635822011-09-28T18:11:46.622-06:002011-09-28T18:11:46.622-06:00Well, if nothing else, it gives me high hopes of b...Well, if nothing else, it gives me high hopes of being able to snooker someone into wanting to publish my manuscript one day. I don't dream of being great - I just dream getting my crappy book accepted by someone. I mean, dammit. Is it so much to ask? Just a little validation, just a little.Rusty Carlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09887821877521181811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-43652224450300755332011-09-28T17:20:35.911-06:002011-09-28T17:20:35.911-06:00Since I said "I quit" to querying, I hav...Since I said "I quit" to querying, I haven't been on any agent blogs, and thank goodness.<br /><br />I'm all feminist and stuff, and I support women's rights to be girly and love unicorns and rainbows, but honestly a lot of YA-oriented blogs come across as so juvenile. There's a Squee Index, and some of the agents are at a 7 or 8. Level 10 would be a book blogger that is so excited, you can't tell if they're for real with the gushing, or parodying other book bloggers.<br /><br />My personal Squee Index is more like a 4. Something to think about.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-90280974368563203972011-09-28T16:38:45.012-06:002011-09-28T16:38:45.012-06:00Nice Easter egg there mate ;)Nice Easter egg there mate ;)Steph Schmidthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00975939582442193113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-74951590032684799572011-09-28T15:43:45.737-06:002011-09-28T15:43:45.737-06:00It's all in the timing.It's all in the timing.Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-8971565889521833342011-09-28T15:08:02.736-06:002011-09-28T15:08:02.736-06:00all true, mike... but NEVER rely on any spell chec...all true, mike... but NEVER rely on any spell check, 100%, they're just as quirky as agents, editors, and even publishers... <br /><br />i use the spell check in firefox, which throws a squiggly red line under words it perceives to be spelled [or spelt, if you're brit... spelt is also a kind of flour, if memory serves] as i type... too often, it's WRONG, but forces me to rethink and check spelling elsewhere<br /><br />excellent post, budlaughingwolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08873675614347328116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-33290004181351178472011-09-28T14:40:26.803-06:002011-09-28T14:40:26.803-06:00@Briane And Harrison Ford got the Indiana Jones ro...@Briane And Harrison Ford got the Indiana Jones role because Tom Selleck was doing Magnum PI and turned it down. Or so I've heard. If so, Harrison Ford might be the luckiest man alive. He lucked into two of the most iconic film roles of the 20th Century!PT Dillowayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09394481476862013009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-78352508897930828182011-09-28T13:49:38.674-06:002011-09-28T13:49:38.674-06:00I remember how disappointed I was when I found out...I remember how disappointed I was when I found out that no matter how wonderfully written a story is, if an agent/publisher doesn't think they can sell it, then no contract for the writer. <br /><br />I trolled the internet long enough to find out how to do stuff and that's where my engagement ended. Follow an agent blog religiously or at all? I don't think so.J.L. Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05666634455836834179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-27827126938015694312011-09-28T13:42:35.179-06:002011-09-28T13:42:35.179-06:00I'm with you 100 percent on this one Michael. ...I'm with you 100 percent on this one Michael. Luck and timing is EVERYTHING in life.<br /><br />Of course hard work does reap it's own rewards, but when it comes to the arts it's a whole other world. It comes down to luck and how you sell yourself.... no, not as a prostitute.. I know you're thinking that. LOL. Perhaps I should rephrase that to present yourself.Michael Di Gesuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17047267262428143113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-47554702608233639232011-09-28T12:16:57.210-06:002011-09-28T12:16:57.210-06:00I'd love to see some agents post stats on how ...I'd love to see some agents post stats on how many rejections they dish out with reasons why. IE I rejected 40 letters this month based on excessive typos and 30 based on boring sounding plots etc..Alyson Burdettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16916059117572619004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-11165228252412424172011-09-28T12:11:50.682-06:002011-09-28T12:11:50.682-06:00RE: Luck: If you read "Outliers," and e...RE: Luck: If you read "Outliers," and everyone should, you realize that luck plays a far greater role in our lives than anyone wants to admit. Yes, hard work, yes, talent, yes blah blah blah but in the end, being born in the right month makes you a hockey star in Canada and being born in the wrong month means you'll be a house painter.<br /><br />Harrison Ford was painting a doorway when he ran into George Lucas, who knew him from "American Graffiti" and told him about this new movie he was making; originally Christopher Walken was going to be Han Solo. So we have Indiana Jones and all those other movies because Harrison Ford didn't call in sick to work that day.<br /><br />So, yes, you need lots of luck to avoid being the indie band that gets good reviews at the local bars but never played for a record label. <br /><br />In part because agents, like anyone else, are looking to get stuff off their table. They have 500 books a second arriving, and they need to sort them out the way I sort my emails: I'll read this one now, I'll save that one for later, based on sorting criteria that may change from day to day.<br /><br />An easy way, on a bad day, to get rid of 500 books is to scratch off all of those who misspell "possess" and send them on their way; that's not a terrible idea because if you didn't take the time to spellcheck your letter, that may indicate that you didn't spend much time on your manuscript. It's not a good idea, though, because an inability to spellcheck doesn't equate to a lack of creativity.<br /><br />It's neither good nor bad; it's just what they do.<br /><br />An interesting way to test this might be to query the same agent, say, 10 times, for the EXACT SAME BOOK, using different query letters, titles, and names. See if the women get more responses then men. See if the choice of category matters.<br /><br />Where are the scientists when you need them? Oh, yeah-- pretending the million monkeys idea makes any sense.Brianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01616494058636881575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-66209878562416634952011-09-28T11:41:28.664-06:002011-09-28T11:41:28.664-06:00See, this is actually another reason I chose to di...See, this is actually another reason I chose to dispense with the whole agent thing. Getting an agent really has nothing to do with talent. I just can't bring myself to be a part of the game of jumping up and down and waving my arms until I get someone's attention. That's all it really is. Like trying to get picked for something out of an audience at a show. "You, with the blue shirt, come on up." Oops... Wasn't wearing blue, today. <br /><br />And, yeah, I'd have more respect for the whole industry if they were more honest about how things are handled. Or, you know, if they introduced some kind of objectivity to the process. <br /><br />@Mutt -- Actually, "who's" and "that's" are both correct in that context, although "who's" would probably be preferred.<br /><br />@Heather -- I'm about to divest myself of a quantity of my old Anthony collection. For a while, when I was in high school, I was on a quest to own all of his books. That probably lasted until the Xanth novels started getting too silly for me to keep reading them.Andrew Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-31129995788703757952011-09-28T11:39:28.702-06:002011-09-28T11:39:28.702-06:00I want a mini-giraffe like in that commercial. He ...I want a mini-giraffe like in that commercial. He would be my friend and I would name him Steven. I'm pretty sure I could get published if I had my little Stevie.Charlie Pulsipherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08877018077937978788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-25546825294815839082011-09-28T11:27:19.486-06:002011-09-28T11:27:19.486-06:00Wow, that's really sad. It's wonderful tha...Wow, that's really sad. It's wonderful that she got picked up but I know lots of people that work hard (and spell correctly) that deserve a chance. Maybe it was an amazing story.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12160669603997465454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-74867461648223963712011-09-28T11:06:33.906-06:002011-09-28T11:06:33.906-06:00Okay guys...the good luck earrings is a tribute to...Okay guys...the good luck earrings is a tribute to Steph Schmidt. Just so you know! It isn't me...it's like an Easter Egg for her should she read today's post.Michael Offutt, Phantom Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10557969104886174930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-35846104623964120972011-09-28T11:01:30.860-06:002011-09-28T11:01:30.860-06:00Heehee, I will write a story, and name it "Gi...Heehee, I will write a story, and name it "Giraffe earrings of amazing juju"...I'll properly credit you in the acknowledgements, don't you fret!<br /><br />In terms of the query/OMGAMAZING response...yes, I think a lot of it does come down to the luck factor, but only because the submission process is so subjective. Each agent is so different, and to get an agent to want your work sometimes just boils down to timing, preference, and a personal assistant misfiling a manuscript.<br /><br />As a writer, my response to that "luck" is to work hard each day so that, eventually I can be "lucky" too.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing!Liza Kanehttp://lizakane.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-38186396548430759952011-09-28T10:14:03.743-06:002011-09-28T10:14:03.743-06:00Interesting indeed!
I admit the idea is interesti...Interesting indeed!<br /><br />I admit the idea is interesting, but I'm not seeing the "drop everything" motivation either. There were several queries I read at WriteOnCon that jumped out at me more. Then again, we're talking subjectivity here. We're not Suzie. If this concept rocked her world, more power to her. The best we can do is congratulate and keep sending out what we've got.<br /><br />Luck has its place in the universe. As does timing. I would hate to be picked up if I'm not truly ready for it. :)David P. Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17259276981865439853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-82314835126828254072011-09-28T09:42:15.930-06:002011-09-28T09:42:15.930-06:00I don't have giraffe earrings, but I do have a...I don't have giraffe earrings, but I do have a 4 foot wooden giraffe in my "office". Maybe I should start rubbing it's neck before sending out my queries. <br /><br />Hmm, we need some lucky recipes to eat for dinner the night before query sending. <br /><br />After your email I thought more about my dart throwing analogy. I think we can improve our luck with practice (or simply keep throwing until we hit <i>something</i>), but we have a better chance by fostering friendships with pubbed authors. Maybe getting them to present our query would be just enough luck to make a difference?Charity Bradfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01960821077619680661noreply@blogger.com