Comments for The Writer's Advocate

Comment on Scared of the Query by Jasper Schellekens

Jasper Schellekens — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 21:09:20 +0000

it took you an hour to write this post! o.O

maybe oscar isn’t afraid of sending query letters, but there are a lot of talented authors out there who are…

thanks for addressing that fear.

Comment on The People of Publishing: Michael Solana by Rameish Agrawaal

Rameish Agrawaal — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 12:42:38 +0000

Great interview! Do you know where a form rejection letter belongs? Now I do know: In the trash can.

Comment on Have your questions answered by an editor at a major publishing house! by Tianna

Tianna — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 00:46:06 +0000

Thanks so much, Chris. I appreciate your help! Have a great weekend!

Comment on Have your questions answered by an editor at a major publishing house! by Chris Kepner

Chris Kepner — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 22:09:49 +0000

A request for an exclusive is common, but 6-8 weeks seems long in my experience. Every agent is different, so I can’t say generally whether they’ll lose interest if they have to wait, but hearing that another agent has been granted an exclusive is not unusual. I might try to get that exclusive period down to 3-4 weeks if you can.

Comment on Have your questions answered by an editor at a major publishing house! by Tianna

Tianna — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 18:21:03 +0000

It’s me again. I sent out a handful of queries last weekend and I had a request for my full manuscript yesterday. The agent asked for a 6-8 week exclusive reading. How common is such a request and what happens if another agent (hopefully) requests my manuscript during that time period? Does an agent lose interest if he/she has to wait? Any help you could provide is much appreciated. Thank you!

Comment on Have your questions answered by an editor at a major publishing house! by Chris Kepner

Chris Kepner — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 02:27:09 +0000

Thanks, Tianna!

Comment on Have your questions answered by an editor at a major publishing house! by Tianna

Tianna — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 01:58:50 +0000

I have to say that the above response cracked me up! The queries you must receive! Anyhow, your blog has been incredibly insightful. The piece about the three key ingredients lit a fire in me and has inspired me to get cracking again. I just realized that back in December, I queried you at the incorrect address. I am going to take the tips from your blog, alter my query and send it to the correct address. Thank you for your blog. It is very helpful to those on the hunt for representation.

Comment on Where in the world is Marty McFly? by Chris Kepner

Chris Kepner — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:43:27 +0000

Haha, amazing! I wonder how much one of those things is going to cost…

Comment on Where in the world is Marty McFly? by Parker

Parker — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:13:18 +0000

It is SO on.

http://www.ology.com/screen/mattel-making-dreams-come-true-next-holiday-season/02132012

Comment on Have your questions answered by an editor at a major publishing house! by Chris Kepner

Chris Kepner — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 22:16:23 +0000

I think there are many lines that should never be crossed. You should never threaten to murder someone if they don’t respond to your query for instance. Extreme, yes, but certainly a line.

More practically: use your best judgment, but bear in mind that if your query is pretty edgy, you want to make sure you’re sending it to agents who appreciate edgy. Otherwise, chances are you’ll be setting yourself up for a quick rejection.

While we’re on the topic of lines you shouldn’t cross, do yourself a favor and don’t show up unannounced at an agent’s or publisher’s office. It’s simply not the way business is done these days, and it’s generally pretty uncomfortable for the agent or publisher.

Chris