We all want the greatest chance of getting an agent. Do exclusive queries really make agents pay more attention to us? In one way they are worse because we have to wait. But at the same time patience is everything in the publishing world. The other way if this is a reputable agency that you really want to land then maybe its worth the wait...Personally I sent out one exclusive query letter and am still waiting for a reply. The only reason I took that step was because the agent is surely reputable and because they are looking for a novel just like mine. How about you, what is your take on exclusive query letters?
Personally I don't see the point. How can they be certain you're telling the truth anyway? I'm not advocating being manipulative or dishonest but I mean really? Come on.
ReplyDeleteI could see maybe an exclusive MS submission, but queries are so wham bam thank you ma'am anyway that it doesn't make much sense, at least to me.
Yuck! Why would an agent do that considering only like 1% of queries are accepted? Don't waste my time, I won't waste yours type of thing? I don't get it.
ReplyDelete~JD
I think it's a good idea to test -- as long as you put an expiration date on the exclusive.
ReplyDeleteI've thought of doing it, but at the moment I'm in the query doldrums. (Can't get up the energy to send even though I have marketable manuscripts.)
I honestly don't see the point in sending an exclusive query. You simply cannot be assured you will be signed. What could be the harm in sending multiples?
ReplyDeleteAs long as you tailor each query letter to fit the requirements of the agency, send as many as you want. Cover every agent who could rep your work, cover all your bases.
I have my top ten agents picked out, and will send my queries shortly. If I am lucky enough to get requests for fulls, then I will worry about picking one. But what are the chances?