tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021529.post-28386634943201381192008-03-19T09:56:00.000-07:002008-03-19T10:49:14.366-07:00On my way home from a work/pleasure trip to the Pacific Northwest earlier this week, I finished revising my mystery novel. My critique group gave me feedback on it a few weeks ago. As I digested their diverse comments, I read the whole novel and noted things I wanted to tighten, tweak, and add. It's now ready, I think, to send out.<br /><br />So I sent it the other night to an agent who'd requested the whole thing.<br /><br />A few weeks ago I started researching and querying agents. I think querying is kind of fun. It's kind of like job hunting, which I also think is fun (at least it's fun when I already have a job and there's no pressure). I've used <a href="http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/browse.html">Publisher's Marketplace</a>, <a href="http://www.agentquery.com/">Agent Query</a>, and agents' own websites to learn more about agents and see if my book would be a good fit. Fit is hard to judge, though, just like in job situations. So much of this business is subjective.<br /><br />Based on my research, I've made a list of agents who appear to be a good fit for my book. I'm querying a few at a time, beginning with agents who accept email or online submissions.<br /><br />Yes, I confess that I am currently discriminating against agents who accept only snail mail submissions because email/online is easier for me. Of my handful of interactions with agents so far, this method of communication can be quick, which is good.<br /><br />And to continue my whole laziness theme, I started with agents who request a simple query letter or a query letter plus sample pages. Agents who want a synopsis got temporarily bumped down my list because writing a synopsis is painful. But I did finally write one because it was a required part of SCBWI's work-in-progress grant application.<br /><br />Some of my writer friends have asked why I'm starting with a search for an agent instead of an editor. I think this particular novel straddles a line between commercial/genre fiction and literary fiction that I think would appeal to an agent. It could stand alone, but it could also be the first in a mystery/detective series. An agent could help with this. Also, I think it's a little easier to find info on individual agents' tastes than it is on editors, which leads back to fit. A knowledgeable agent will know better than I which editors would be interested in this work.Michele Regenoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15986233319096332194noreply@blogger.com