#queryfail Tweets Revisited

As promised I’m back to re-post my #queryfail threads that were a part of all the controversy. I have to admit I think its going to be pretty anti-climatic for anyone that was waiting on the edge of their seat to see how I contributed. I think that’s a part of what really got me so agitated by all the “fall-out”. I joined into the event late in the day and made a handful of tweets, five to be exact. Yes, that’s it, Five little 140 character posts have given a select group of authors the ambition to claim that I’m a insulting and insensitive agent. Like I said yesterday, I disagree wholeheartedly, but since this was an exercise designed to educate, I am going to repost with slightly (and just slightly) longer explanations as to why they were in essence a #queryfail.

::And anyone that’s just joining us late and has no idea what #queryfail means. It’s a term that has been coined to summarize a query that after being evaluated by an editor or agent, doesn’t quite match up to the standards we expect before requesting additional material from hopeful authors, and ultimately would receive a rejection response::

Tweet #1 “I have attached a few of my final chapters, I believe they are more powerful than the beginning.”

Now, this was a queryfail for a handful of reasons. First off, as indicated on our website, at the query stage we don’t request any portion of your manuscript material. In addition, (and also indicated on our website), due to internet security measures we are unable to open unsolicited attachments. To cap it off, if you are hoping to sell a novel the whole thing had better be strong. How am I supposed to fall in love with a book if I can’t see the first 200 pages? I would say this is a pretty good indicator that the material was unpolished and not quite ready to be submitted to agents yet. Would you agree? I stick to my initial response. #Queryfail.

Tweet #2 “I don’t have any new material to share so I’m attaching an already contracted novella.”

I make my living off of selling books. So tell me, what am I supposed to do with that? Unless I have an outstanding relationship with you and I’ve asked to see some of your previously published work, simply sending me a contracted novella doesn’t give me a clue about the type of author you are, or that you might be, or about the type of material I might be working with in the future.

I am adamant about one thing when signing on new clients, and I’ve said this time and time again. Above and beyond anything, I have to love your work. I don’t care if you have a contract on the table waiting to be negotiated, unless I love the material I’m not going to take the project on. Why? Because things happen. The day will most likely come when I’m going to be expected to take the material wide and get behind it 100% with my word and find you a new or additional publisher. I’m not putting my word behind anything I don’t truly think is fabulous. Sending me a query telling me nothing about yourself or your WIPs will always get a #queryfail from me.

Tweet #3 “I have been writing since I could hold a crayon, and before that I used finger paints.”

Honestly, I don’t know how to not be sarcastic when evaluating this from a professional angle. I have been eating since I first opened my mouth but you don’t' see me trying to be a professional chef do you? Your imminent writing talent as a toddler tells me nothing about your current professional status as an author that deserves to be published. This is a professional business. Your query letter acts as you first professional introduction to the agency, I want to see a formal bio that is relevant to the work you are presenting. #queryfail

Tweet #4 “I’ve sold over 200 copies of my book in less than 2 wks, however I don’t know how to go any further and I’m winging it as I go.”

Wait a minute, you’ve already begun selling your book? Your book is already published? So what is there left for me to do?

Also, I don’t expect people that are newbies in the industry to have a high level of industry knowledge, that’s my job. But I do want to see someone that is confidant and possesses a level head on their shoulders with a solid goal in front of them, whatever that may be, not someone that is “winging it as they go”. #queryfail

Tweet #5 “I’m interested in developing a series but I’m not going to do it until I sell it first”

This was the bulk of this query. This was not a sentence that was meant to indicate “I could foresee this project turning into a series”, which is a fairly common phrase found in queries. No, this person was letting me know that if I sold their idea, they would write a book, heck, a whole series of books. I expect a slightly higher level of work ethic from my clients, and I’m proud to report that they all exceed this by leaps and bounds. #queryfail

And that I’m afraid is it folks. I’m pretty much talked out on the subject but as always, I hope you were able to learn something new today.