Want an auto-rejection?

Something that surprises me is when, on receiving news that I have passed on a query, some writers immediately, by return of email, query me with opening chapters from another manuscript of theirs.

Why is this the wrong thimg to do?

Well, firstly I expect you to send me your best (and most likely your most recent) work in the first place. And secondly, if I liked your original submission and wanted to find out what else you had written, I would ask. So when I receive a second submission immediately I am already primed to reject it. Of course, I will look at it, just in case, but I don’t believe I’ve ever requested further material from a situation like this.

So what if you do want to send me something else?

Leave it six months or more, by which time I am highly likely to have forgotten your previous submission and will be looking at your work with fresh eyes.

I just have to say this now

Don’t send me something from your back catalogue that’s been out of print ten years. Don’t send me your oldest shoved-under-the-bed manuscript that’s reeking of mothballs and doesn’t represent either what you write now or want to write in the future.

Send me sample chapters of the best thing you’ve ever written, that you’ve written recently, and best reflects you the writer today.

Does that make sense? Hope so.

Should I use a pen name?

When querying an agent, no. When you send in your sample chapters and synopsis, I am looking only at the writing, not the writer. It does not matter:
- whether you are male or female
- how old you are
- what you do for a living (if anything)
- whether you have three heads or a penchant for musical keyrings, etc.

Thus, there is no need to disguise yourself with a faux name. I’d prefer to be sure that the person querying me is a real person, and therefore name, address and telephone number please.

How long should writers wait?

When I’ve given talks, I’ve often been asked about how long writers should expect to wait to hear back on submissions and whether and when it is ok to chase. If you disagree, I’d love to hear from you but I think the answers are:

1. Agents are normally quicker to get back to you than publishers.
2. Agents usually respond to a query within a couple of weeks. If you’ve waited a month, then its in order to give a quick chase (by email rather than by telephone). In the US the system is a little different as you typically first query agents without including a sample of your writing. Here in the UK, its usual to include sample chapters with your first approach. I am certainly aiming to respond to queries within 1-2 weeks.
3. If you have been asked to send in a full manuscript to an agent, the wait is likely to be longer. I’m aiming to respond to fulls within a month, but am aware I’ve already broken my own rule!
4. Publishers may respond to you quickly, but you may equally well be waiting months. A wait of six months is not unusual, and in some cases it may be even longer. I waited ten months on my last sale of my own work. I would say that if you’ve not heard anything, it is perfectly in order for a polite chase after six months. Naturally, as an agent I am highly likely to chase publishers well before this time, but a writer without a agent unfortunately has less scope to bypass the slush pile system.

How publishing really works

I was recommended by writer Jonathan Pinnock to check out Jane Smith’s How Publishing Really Works blog. It’s a veritable feast of information about how publishing works and should be in the blogroll of writers aiming for publication.

Jane writes:

Honestly: if a writer’s work is good enough and is submitted to an appropriate agent, it will find representation sooner or later.

I am looking for excellent writers, but also material that I can see is marketable and, because we all have our personal preferences, writing I can get really excited about. Thus I have had to reject several writers who I’ve had full manuscripts from who are excellent writers but not right for me. However, I would put money down that they will find representation, sooner or later. If agents are asking to see your complete manuscript, but not offering in the end, this is a sign that you’re very close. Treat any feedback you get like gold dust. Keep querying, and you’ll get there.

Are you ready to submit?

You’ve finished your novel but before you start to query, I think a writer needs to pause and ask, “Am I ready to submit?”

• Have you written a novel for a 21st century audience – with emotion, pace and action? Agents will always be keener on a book that has screen potential.
• Have you edited the manuscript to your satisfaction? Have you undertaken a copy edit to remove grammatical errors and typos?
• Does your title capture the spirit, and ideally the story of the novel? Your publisher may want to change it, but for now it’s a selling tool for your very first reader – the editor or agent. I’m a huge fan of conflict-driven titles for example.
• Is your first sentence utterly compelling? And your second, and your third… Make sure you started your story at the start of the book so your reader is drawn in and is compelled to keep reading.
• Have you erred on the side of suspense and kept the backstory out of the opening chapters?

I would say that if the answer to any of these questions is no, then you’re not yet ready to submit.

Address and telephone number

A couple of writers who have queried me so far have not included their address and telephone number. Although I ask for initial approaches via email, I would still like to receive the same information as if you were querying by post. That is, a letter of introduction, a synopsis and first three chapters (or 50 pages). Everything should be pasted into the body of the email.

Why would I like to know a writer’s address? Firstly, I’d like to know for a start whether you’re in the UK or overseas, and secondly I’m nosey. Telephone number(s) are even more critical because, if I’m interested to take things further, or I have some questions that are better suited to a phone conversation than email, there’s a fair chance I’m going to ring you!