Q: Can you give me a rough estimate of the timeframe between submission and having a critique displayed on the website?
I'm trying to ascertain if the queries I sent were already considered for critique or if you have not gotten to them yet. I imagine you are bombarded, and I'm looking for a frame of reference.
A: No. I'm trying to keep this as low maintenance as possible. I pick queries at random, starting with the first ones that came in. I'm not logging entries, or keeping to a schedule.
You'll hear from me if your query gets posted. There are no guarantees it will.
16 comments:
Makes sense. Thanks for the information. It is much appreciated.
Q: I am a taxpaying citizen. You owe me your job. Critique my query now!
A: I critique queries as a public service; however, I'm not a public servant.
Q: Why at random? That doesn't seem fair.
A: Oh my God! Would it be more fair if I used a separate email for you to send your queries?
Q: Yes
A: That was sarcasm, dumbass.
Q: You've posted my query . . . does that make you my agent?
A: No. It makes me gullible, sympathetic, and manic.
Q: If we meet, then I will hug you and tell you how much you inspire me. What will you do when we meet?
A: Mace and woshambu (sp)
your over-zealous ass.
An rss feed for this site would be nice...
Sarah, top right. Nice orange widget.
Thanks for the reminder!
Thanks- now I can obsess about query letters instead of obsessively checking your blog...Sarah
I know, I really want my query to be nibbled, consumed, regurgitated--the works. The fact that mine hasn't been chewed on keeps me coming back. Plus, the site is helpful.
If you want peer-to-helpless-peer feedback on your query, try the forums on Agent Query Connect. (http://agentquery.leveragesoftware.com/default.aspx) It is handy, although you don't get a dandy, smart agent giving you feedback on your query, which would be really, really, really nice to have.
Hint, hint. Wink, wink.
:)
Jean
P.S. Just tell me where to send the box of shark snacks.
I have a question, if you will.
Thanks to your suggestions and comments to others, which helped me write a much better query than I started with, I was asked to send the first 30 and a synop. This came via email and I have sent them but, since this is the first time I've been asked, should I email the agent in return and tell her I've sent them?
I honestly don't know what is appropriate. I did put Requested Materials Enclosed on the outside of the mailer, but don't want to offend.
Thanks again so much! Your help to others was priceless to me! :D
Thanks for the time you put into knocking some sense into us, when instead you could be knocking back a fine scotch and getting your tootsies massaged.
Hey, I'm just glad you're willing to give this thing a shot and help out us writers. I know I would learn tons if you critiqued mine, but I also know that I learn quite a bit from reading others, and I'm just grateful for the opportunity!
FWIW, I don't think there's any need for you to email the agent, nightsmusic.
Thank you, BuffySquirrel (love the name!)
I haven't been able to get an answer to that question, regardless who I ask. I appreciate your response. As it is, it's been two weeks now, which I know is no time at all in the publishing world but at this point, it would probably be moot to do so anyway.
Thanks again! :)
nm
nightsmusic, it seems to me that proper protocol would be to wait a reasonable amount of time for the agent to respond (reasonable by the agent's standards, of course ;). If no response comes, wait a little longer, and then write to ask if the package ever arrived. Just don't rush it.
This may be a stupid question, but if we send a query to you for critique and haven't heard anything in, say, a month or two, would it be okay if we sent the same one again? I only ask b/c you say the selection is random.
Thanks! :)
Please don't resend your query. If you got a receipt for it, I have it.
Sending it again just annoys the Shark.
I just read the last comment about resending. Although my query has not been posted I am trying to learn and improve based on the comments I've read on this site.
I've cast a couple of heavily revised versions into the pond in the hope of getting a bite. Is that OK to do? I hope I haven't ticked off the Shark!
If people have revised versions of their query, and it's not been posted, I've been replacing them. You MUST use the same email address; that's how I track entries.
The Shark wants the choicest bait so don't worry.
Post a Comment