The Agent Answers: Dreaded Middle Pile

You have questions? Do you constantly miss #askagent sessions on Twitter? Is it impossible, despite a hundred Google searches, to find an answer to your question? Then you've come to the right place. Ask a question either on any "Agent Answers" post or on Twitter, and I'll answer as many as I can. My answers will be subjective and should not be considered applicable to every agent (though I do like to assume my opinions are the majority). 

Question: Do you and/or most agents have a 'maybe' file that you sort queries into? For the manuscripts that you don't immediately want to request or reject?

Answer: Who remembers my post about the middle pile? You've got the great stuff, that goes in a teeny weenie pile that agents fight over with giant rubber pencils. And you've got the horrible stuff, that goes in a sizable that shouldn't see the light of day.

Then you have the stuff that is well written, okay concept, characters that are fleshed out, and above all, readable. What do we do with this stuff?

When talking about queries, I do this a lot. I think, "Self, this has some merit. But..." That's why a lot of agents ask that you include the first five or ten pages with your query. And if those still make us go, "Self, this has some merit. But..." We'll probably ask for some more. If we're busy or jaded, it's a no.

Do I have a file that these go into? Not really. Sometimes if I read part, most, or all of an ms and I'm not sure if I love or even like it, I set it aside. I'll go back to this folder where requested mss go, and I'll see it and think, "Self, what is this?" If I can't immediately remember, that's a bad sign. And a rejection. If think, "Self, why did you stop reading this, I remember this concept!" then there is something there, maybe the writing was holding me back. That most likely will get it a second look and possibly a Revision Request.

Happy writing!

March Madness: What to Expect from the Madness

Hope everyone enjoyed the January Query Month and February Requests Month. This month, the topic is: No Topic! AKA, March Madness. I'll be talking about things that don't really fit into my planned Topic Months. Not exactly a Q&A sort of month, more like me rambling about "important" things. Also, I'm taking a reprieve from Wednesday Reads this month (I apologize profusely to your TBR stacks). I've had too much on my plate/Kindle the last few weeks and haven't read anything besides manuscripts lately. Not to worry, Wednesday Reads will be back with a vengeance in April (I apologize profusely to your TBR stacks).

In April, the topic will be Offers of Representation. What to do when that offer comes. What to do when multiple offers come. Etc.

In May, the topic will be Conferences, to get you ready for a summer of awesome, er, conference season.

In June, I'll be taking a much needed blog hiatus (yes, I just had one in December, but to keep the blog fresh, and my inbox happy--read empty--I'll need another one).

Meanwhile, don't forget that this month is NaNoEdMo (National Novel Editing Month) (who is participating?). I wrote an article on Self-Editing you can check out here. Also, Cupid's Literary Connection is having an awesomely awesome event that you will want to stay tuned for (you may be seeing my name pop up somewhere--you just never know) so keep your eyes out for more info on that right here. 

Anything else we should be keeping our eyes peeled for this month?

Happy writing!

February Requests

Last month was query month. This month, I'll talk about specifics once your ms full or partial is requested. This will cover email etiquette, stalking etiquette, formats for submitting, what to do while you wait, etc.

But first, I want to reiterate something I mentioned in my Query FAQs. I calculated a .19% chance of being signed from the slush pile. But then I negated all of that awesome math with this:

HOWEVER. If your query is captivating, you've done your homework, your writing is solid, your characters unbelievable (in a believable sort of way), and your plot rockin, you will get noticed and signed. Which is to say, it's not about luck at all--it's about passion, dedication, and skill.

Are you guys getting sick of people telling you to keep persevering? If at first you don't succeed, try, try again? People say it, because it's true. As callous as it may sound, if you're not being published, it's because you're not ready, because your writing isn't at the same level as those who are getting published. But that's not to say you can't get there. Or that published authors haven't been where you are now.

Also, remember. If you're at this stage, your query is getting requests, that means agents like your idea. Your pitch. You. That's half the game (maybe an eighth). Coming up with an idea to captivate your audience.

Happy writing!

Cupid's February Blog Contest

If you're looking for an amazing contest in which agents fight over your work, check out Cupid's BLIND SPEED DATING.

You may remember I mentioned I was in Cupid's January contest against John Cusick, and we found some amazing entries. Plus, the trash talk was fun.

I had so much fun I'm participating again. This time against TEN OTHER AGENTS.

There are two windows of opportunity to submit your work for this month's contest TODAY AND TOMORROW.

The contest is open for ADULT, YA, and MG.

Go to Cupid's Literary Connection here for more details.

Hope to see you in the ring.

Happy fighting--I mean writing!