What’s on my mind today? FROZEN IGUANAS I’m rather concerned by the photographs on CNN of iguanas freezing in trees and on the banks of waterways in Florida. I realize they are cold blooded and this is a natural defense mechanism. Their blood slows down and their bodies go into a hibernation state until it warms up (and they warm up). It’s just rather worrisome seeing them falling out of trees.
What else is on my mind? AGENTS
How much time should one spend looking for an agent? This process can be mind boggling. I’ve been jotting down notes from blogs, magazines, interviews, and from websites.
I joined Querytracker.net. It’s a great site! It allows you to keep a list of agents you might want to query. It tells you what they are interested in. Other members log in their queries and responses and you can access the data. It gives you links to the agent’s website, submission guidelines, and extra data if you pay for a membership. You can join for free, but if you become a premium member you can get more data about the agents and publishers. It’s worth the money.
I also joined a YA writing community site called YAlitchat.ning.com. It is full of great agent information as well. It is like facebook for writers.
I’m still trying to understand Twitter. I joined and read the comments of the people I follow. Lots of agent blogs have Twitter links. I’m still a novice at this, so NO questions, please.
I follow guide to literary agents; it’s a blog that gives you more information. Literary Rambles also is loaded with agent interviews and information. Not to mention, you can learn about agents on their blogs.
I’m pretty much on agent overload. HOW DO YOU RESEARCH AGENTS? HOW MUCH INFORMATION DO YOU WANT BEFORE YOU QUERY HIM/HER? WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INFORMATION FROM? HOW MANY AGENTS DO YOU QUERY AT A TIME? I’m on overload and I still need more information…LOL
I've queried a few and take my time doing it. (Did I spell that word right??) I have heard back from a few wanting fulls. I went to their websites and read about them or their blogs and also asked for names from other writers who I knew were sending out their work:)
ReplyDeleteTerri--That's great! I hope you'll keep me posted. :)
ReplyDeleteSharon, thanks for all this info. I'm in the homestretch of my revisions (I thought I'd be done in December, but family and holidays took over). I hope to be querying by next month. Good luck to you!
ReplyDeleteAnd yikes, poor iguanas falling out of trees! My inlaws are going to Florida tomorrow, they will have to pack heavier clothes!
ReplyDeleteKelly--That's great! I started yesterday with my HF PB. I got some positive feedback and a suggestion from an agent.
ReplyDeleteThe photo of the iguana was from last February when we were in Costa Rica. It was on the roof of the swim up bar/snack bar. My dear husband made me touch its tail...I hope the ones in Florida make it through this weather.
Thanks oodles for the link to YALITCHAT.
ReplyDeleteI looked it up = awesome!!!
Jennie--Check out the groups!
ReplyDeleteI totally need to revise how I look for agents - I need a much more structured method. I remember Tess had a really good blog on that not too long after she got her agent. I haven't joined Query Tracker yet, but I totally intend to once I get to that point with the latest WIP. I saw a duck frozen in Wapelhorst pond the other day. I kept wondering if I should try to help it, but then I decided I'd better not interfere - nature knows more about this stuff that I do and he was probably just fine.
ReplyDeleteA huge resource for us when we were querying was Absolute Write's Forum under the Bewares and Background Check message board--http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=22. You can look up any agent and usually there will be valuable info.! Good luck and I hope this helps!
ReplyDeleteBTW, QueryTracker is invaluable!
I am in a similar place right now, but I'm taking my time on revisions so the full force 'agent search' has not yet begun. It does seem overwhelming. I began thinking of writers who have similarities to my own work in terms of theme or style. Everyone usually acknowledges their agent in the back of the book. So far, I know one agent I'm definitely query-ing through that approach. Good luck to you. We'll have to keep eachother posted as we go through this daunting process!
ReplyDeleteSharon,
ReplyDeleteReading your post was deja vu. I've been doing exactly what you've written here. I am in agent ~ query overload. I've posted numerous versions of my query letter on several sites in an attempt to gain some perspective.
As far as Twitter goes . . . I've had an account for quite awhile . . . I've followed the posting of some like Rachelle Gardner and Holly Root . . .but I've not mastered the intricacies of Twitterdom yet.
I'm chuckling at how similar our paths have progressed. In my case, my book is not quite ready to be submitted yet, but I'm close. I'll be ready when it is.
Susan--Have you forgotten that IN THE 17TH YEAR & SECRET IN THE STABLES need to find homes. Don't do a Spinelli and keep them in the closet for thirty years.
ReplyDeletePoor little duck! I can't believe you were outside your house when it was cold enough to freeze a duck!
Lisa & Laura--Thanks for the link. I haven't been to that site yet. I should have included a link for Preditors and Editors in my post.
ReplyDeleteMelissa--I looked up who one of my favorite picture book writer's agent was on QueryTracker. I submitted a query to him. He sent me back a lovely note. He's taking on very few new clients, but suggested an editor to send my ms to. Very nice man!
ReplyDeleteDL--Have you read Noah Lukeman's GREAT QUERY LETTERS & HOW TO GET AND KEEP AN AGENT. You can download them on his blog for free. He stresses that our query should be only THREE paragraphs long. He specifies what should be in each paragraph. (In my opinion) He thinks that a concise query shows that you use your words wisely. Check him out...
ReplyDeleteI'll look for you on Twitter. :)
Hey, Sharon-
ReplyDeleteWe all know about apples falling from trees - but frozen iguanas? Sounds like you've got a great starter for a children's nonfiction! Think about it!
~Diana
Diana--Seriously! It was on the news, but you're right. It could be a good article, but I only have pictures of nice warm iguanas. :)
ReplyDeleteI used to google authors I loved to see if I could find out who there agent is - you can find that on Publisher's Marketplace as well as see what agents represent what sale. Tells you what kind of work they love.
ReplyDeletePoor iguanas...taht's gotta hurt.
ReplyDeleteI'm revving up for the agent search and am actually excited about it. I'm going to look on Agentquery and also find out the agents for authors I love. And I have a few I'll query for reasons that are too long to explain...PROSPECT AGENCY, UPSTART CROW AND KRISTIN NELSON.
Shelli--It really is amazing what you can find out about on the internet. I don't know how we survived before it. :)
ReplyDeleteAnita--I wish you well on your search. I'll continue watching your journey through your blog. :)
One of my husband's best friends from college is a literary agent (mostly science fiction/fantasy). I'm not a writer so I don't know much about the process. I do know that most of the submissions he receives end up in the garbage.
ReplyDeleteJanelle--From what I understand, most work is rejected. But all I want is one acceptance from an agent. :) I have high hopes for 2010! Thanks for stopping by and making a comment.
ReplyDeleteI wish you much luck! It's been a long time since I went looking for an agent. I got some nibbles, but no bites. The Internet gives you so many possibilities. I hope one of them is successful for you!
ReplyDeleteI've given you a Blog Award over at http://StarlightBlog.com Don't worry if you don't have the time to do the whole award thingy. It's mostly in acknowledgement of your great blog.
Mary Anne--Thanks for the encouragement. Do you subscribe to Noah Lukeman's blog? He says you should query lots of agents. I'm going to get back on the saddle, so to speak, tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the award! I appreciate that you enjoy enjoy my blog.
Have a great year!
I've been getting my agent information from pretty much the same places you do. I also use the Verla Kay message board. QueryTracker is great! I just joined recently and wish I had a long time ago. It beats my awkward spreadsheet. Good luck with your submitting!
ReplyDeleteMG--I like QueryTracker too. I snooped around Verla Kay's site yesterday. I need to go back and sign up. It seems you have to jump through a few hoops to do so though.
ReplyDeleteI have my select few favorites that I keep tabs on. But mainly I read their blogs because they have good tibits to share.
ReplyDeleteChristina--I keep finding more sources for information. I think that's why I'm getting overwhelmed. Yesterday, I took my reading log, for last year, and looked up the agents for those authors. The more I dig, the more I have to process...
ReplyDeleteI found you through the comment challenge. I am so glad I did. I am in the process of sending out queries and to me this is so scary. You have so many resources listed you are a fountain of information. Thank you so much. I am glad I found you. I will be back often. I am off to start getting my queries ready. After all that was my New Years Resolution.
ReplyDeleteSandra-First, thanks for checking me out. Second have you looked at agent Noah Lukeman's blog? He has a book on queries that is really helpful. I MEAN REALLY HELPFUL. I've narrowed my search down to my top 50, based on all of my research. Now I'm ranking them and will put them into groups of who to query. I'll only query a few at a time, but as the rejections inevitalby come in, I'll send a new query to the next one on the list. I'm going to personalize each agent's letter. It will be easy to do this, as I've studied interviews, articles, and blogs about them. Good luck and remember, you spend a long time working on a manuscript, make sure your query is just as good. Best wishes!
ReplyDelete