Ten days ago I sent out six agent queries for my cozy mystery novel, and I’m still fussing and fuming over the lack of standardization in the publishing industry. It’s not like my ranting and raving will attract anyone’s notice, but I need to vent this anyway.
One agent wanted just a query letter. One wanted a query letter and first chapter. Another wanted letter, extended author bio, full synopsis and 30 pages. Yet another wanted letter, brief bio (I thought that went in the query letter) and three chapters. And on it went.
I targeted the first six agents based on my research into whether I thought they were a good “match” for my writing. I could be happy with any one of them representing me. But I am not happy with all the hoops and hoopla one must go through to attract their attention.
I’m also not happy with the various agency’s “response times.” One promises I’ll hear “something” in six weeks, another said three to six months. The one that really irked me said “If you don’t hear from us, we’re not interested.” Say what??
Can’t this agency even bother with a simple “No, thank you”? It takes only 5 seconds at the keyboard for this simple act of courtesy. I’d say “common” courtesy, but apparently it’s not so common any more. At least not at that agency. I scratched that one off my list. That’ll teach ‘em!
So on I go, searching for that proverbial needle in a haystack. Funny thing is, I am absolutely certain the right agent and I will find each other before too long. I’ve put my order in with the universe, and the Law of Attraction is making it so!