Progress seems at a standstill in the traditional querying field. The agents and editors who accept queries through email are growing in number, but remain rare. There are many reasons given for why the transition to electronic mail is sluggish. However the positives of electronic mails seem to outweigh the negatives.
For the author, email is cheaper and more efficient in eliminating both postage cost and response times which can run over six months with the initial paper query. As if this weren’t reason enough, email is more environmentally-friendly, it doesn’t waste paper or ink, and there is no need to include a SASE.
On the opposite side, it would seem professional agents and editors would prefer email. Their mail rooms would clear up, their desks would be much neater, and their trash less abundant. There wouldn’t be any posting rejection letters via snail mail. If they relied on email for the initial queries, and omitted posting their mailing addresses, their amount of unsolicited manuscripts would decrease.
There are a precious few literary professionals who support or encourage email queries. When you find one it is a breath of fresh air, but don‘t relax just yet. There are still issues to consider when you’ve found an interesting agency which accepts email queries.
One of the reasons professionals shun email queries is the lack of professional etiquette associated with electronic mail. When you do find a reputable agency or publisher that states they accept email, you can’t be any less professional due to the medium.
Many authors mistakenly assume that agents and editors who accept email queries are casual professionals. They won’t pay any attention to poor writing or typos. This attitude can cost you representation.
When querying, in any medium, you must keep it professional. You are making a first impression, regardless. With either medium, your writing will be judged. Your skill will be evaluated upon your abilities to write a simple query letter.
How can you make an email query both professional and impressive?
1. Approach agent/editor professionally!
Don’t use any generic, thoughtless address such as, "Dear Agent," or "Dear Agency." They have a name for a purpose.
Don’t start your letter with, "Hey," or, "Hi." Time is always of the importance with an agent. Just as with a paper query, get to the point.
2. Never Send URLs!
Unless the agent/editor has made a specific request, do not send links. It is disrespectful to assume they have time to go through all web pages sent to them. This does not pertain to the small email "signature" which will be embedded in the letter.
At the end of your letter, it is encouraged to leave your email address. Wait for the professional to request any specific Internet addresses.
This may seem harsh, however consider the amount of email a successful agency will receive. Especially when they post that they accept email queries. They honestly don’t have the time to surf the Internet and when they are off of work, chances are they don’t want to be going all over the world-wide web seeking a small page.
Much along these lines are the sites which proclaim, "Post your work here, you only send the URL to agents and editors." They don’t visit uninvited addresses because they can’t.
3. Never Send Attachments!
The majority of professionals accepting e-mail queries forbid any file attachment to the letter. This is due to viruses that ride inside attachments. This rule can apply to all professionals who accept e-mail, not just those who openly state their requirements.
You can paste the body of your synopsis and sample chapters into the text of the email. This is both respectful and efficient. The professional doesn’t have to search for the proper program to open your file and waste valuable time waiting for the computer to open the piece.
4. Edit your letter prior to sending it!
Don’t whip out a letter as soon as you locate an accepting professional. Not only should you look at their history and success rate, you should create a letter outside of the Inbox. Keep it concise and professional. Remember, it is still a query to a professional.
5. Do one last check for spelling and grammar.
Don’t rely on a word processing program’s spell check function to do this.
Remember:
"She through the ball."
"The dog bark at the tree."
"How do you to."
"Ewe can bee hear at have pass seven."
"I have throat so hard today, my bran is ached."
All are spelled correctly.
When you keep your email as professional as your paper mail, the agent/editor will see that you intend to be proficient no matter how your correspond. Many agents will respect this show of appreciation and consideration, while you may not get accepted with the first few queries, you may receive some wonderful assistance from those who can’t help.
Some reputable and esteemed agents have offered writers (including new writers) editorial advice, encouragement, and other industry "secrets" or tips when they like the query.
No matter how you query, keep it professional. Your writing future could be riding on a single email.
©2002, Laura Wright. All rights reserved.
