Comments on: Query Queen! the Wendy Burt-Thomas interview

By: Lucinda

Lucinda — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 12:29:13 +0000

Oh, that one. Thank you. Actually, that is the article that brought me over here in the first place. Yes, I have read it and stored it for later reference. Of all the books I have read “on writing,” I love crash courses now.

By: askwendy

askwendy — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 06:08:57 +0000

Lucinda,

Here’s a link to the article Victoria wrote:
http://nathanbransford.blogspot.com/

By: Lucinda

Lucinda — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 03:27:12 +0000

Where can I find that article? I am sorry, but I am a greenhorn here and still need a map to find my way around the neighborhood.

thanks

By: Wendy Burt-Thomas

Wendy Burt-Thomas — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 03:04:19 +0000

Thanks Lucinda!

I’m so glad Victoria and I found each other. Did you read her latest article on how to write a novel? Great piece!

By: Lucinda

Lucinda — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 02:52:02 +0000

Thank you both for the helpful advice in writing query letters. I am knocking on Amazon’s door checking out your book, Wendy.

From the looks of it, I will be burning the midnight oil lamp for a long time while trying to catch up on reading the topics on this website. This is just the beginning! (eyes wild with anticipation and overdosing with coffee/espresso drinks)

Lucinda

By: Wendy Burt-Thomas

Wendy Burt-Thomas — Wed, 13 May 2009 00:51:06 +0000

Elwood,
I would mention that you had an agent. It shows that someone was willing to represent you. Of course, they may want to know why the agent isn’t representing you anymore. Did they shop a manuscript to every publisher but no one picked it up? Or did you fire them because they weren’t doing any work for you? Did they stop representing your genre?

Also, you’ll have to look at your agent contract. If I remember correctly, our contract on book #1 said that our agent got first look at anything new we produced for a year. Just review your contract before you hire a new agent.

By: Elwood Gray

Elwood Gray — Tue, 12 May 2009 22:57:40 +0000

Hi Victoria, thanks for such a timely and important interview!

Question for Wendy: What if I once had an agent, but don’t anymore–should I mention this? If yes, what should I say? Is there a statute of limitations, time-wise? (Apologies if this is mentioned in your book—I have it on order from my local bookshop.)

thanks,
Elwood

By: Teresa

Teresa — Tue, 12 May 2009 02:23:01 +0000

Once more I thank you both for your information and responses! You’ve greatly diminished my learning curve.

Good luck to both of you!
Teresa

By: Wendy Burt-Thomas

Wendy Burt-Thomas — Tue, 12 May 2009 00:53:42 +0000

Hi Teresa,
Thanks for your patience. I just got home and saw your question.
Personally, I’m all about simultaneous submissions. Unless the guidelines specifically say NOT to submit simultaneous submissions, I’d do it.
One exception to my own rule would be if I met an agent at a writers’ conference and he/she asked for the manuscript (or proposal or partial manuscript). In that case, I’d submit ONLY to them and indicate that it was an exclusive submission so they’d know I’d appreciate a prompt response.

By: gotheca

gotheca — Mon, 11 May 2009 22:34:09 +0000

Hi Teresa! Thanks for your good question. I’ve dropped Wendy a line to see if she wants to field it and am waiting for her expert response! Stay tuned–

Victoria