Surrender, Dorothy

Querying Literary Agents: Multiple Submissions or No?

This past weekend, I attended the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) conference in New York City. In one of the panels, literary agents critiqued a very brave group of writer's query letters.

I was not one of those very brave writers. Mostly because the rules said they had to be nonfiction queries, and right now, I don't have one. I'm a glutton for punishment under most circumstances.

One of the agents, Jonathan Lyons, had some interesting things to say about multiple submissions. In the past, I've attended other writers conferences and heard that they were a strict no-no. These agents didn't agree. In fact, they said it's not reasonable anymore. Agents are just too damn slow.  From Jonathan's blog:

Some agents have an exclusive submission policy regarding materials - i.e. you can't send your query or manuscript to another agent while they are reviewing it. I STRONGLY believe that this is an unfair policy. The only times I can think that an exclusive might be appropriate is if the agent is an absolutely perfect fit for you or they happen to be one of the biggest and best names in the business. Otherwise, my suggestion is to submit to multiple agents at a time.

Well, then: color me wrong. I've been submitting one at a painful time for three months now, and so far, I still have no agent for my picture book, Bella Eats the Monsters. So today on my writing day, I submitted my darling to seven more agents on my short list.

Some of them accepted queries only via Web form, which I personally think is great. I rest assured that my query is somewhere in a database, not lost amidst the agent's overflowing e-mail account. I know in my professional and bloggy life, even relevant, timely e-mails from people I wish to correspond with can get hopelessly lost, and I've had close friends and professional acquaintances alike e-mail me months after I contacted them, aflutter and apologizing that my e-mails had been eaten by their Gmail accounts. Hey, I get it.

The other pertinent detail I noticed: The rejection letter or even the rejection e-mail is becoming a thing of the past with agents. At least three to whom I submitted sent me an auto response saying if I hadn't heard from them within four weeks to assume they weren't interested. While that is discouraging -- they're already warning me they'll probably blow me off -- it's better than me assuming they will send me something and then sitting on the mailbox or computer past the four-week mark, wondering if I should follow up or not.  At least this way I can set a timer and move on if I haven't heard from them. In the writerly world, no news is NOT good news.

So, the literary agent timer is back on. Tick, tock.

Chicks Who Click: Get On Down to Kansas City in May and See Me

On May 16, we'll be talking social media in Kansas City at the first-ever Kansas City Chicks Who Click one-day conference.  I'll be speaking on a panel called "Where's the Line? Transparence vs. Privacy."  Because, you know, I'm so good with that line. heh

My good friend Celeste from Average Jane will be speaking on "Customizing Your Social Toolbox," and you can also meet:

• Zena Weist
• Deb Averett
• Doyle Albee
• Christy Nelson
• Tara Anderson
• Jenn Bailey
• Christina Maki
• Mark Logan
• Jenny Love
• Some person named Erin Kotecki Vest

My session is at 2:45, and I'd love to see you there! Even if you're not from Kansas City, I can assure you it's worth the trip. May is a lovely time of year here, and Kansas City has great art and great food (like that FoodieBytes action -- tell Cagey -- it's X's company) and often shocks world travelers with its charm. We have a lot of fountains here, people.

Sign up! Come and see me!

Online Event Registration - Powered by www.eventbrite.com

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Like puzzles? I'm giving away a full set of very yummy Posh Puzzles at Surrender Dorothy: Reviews this week!

Dear New York City: I Wasn't Wearing the Royals T-Shirt Ironically

So this past weekend, my husband and I went to New York City. I was a little apprehensive, as I always am visiting the coasts, because I spend a great deal of my professional life having coastal-dwelling co-workers feel sorry for me because I live in a fly-over state.

Chilling in NYC.

Chilling in farm country.

I, personally, do not feel sorry for me. I pay less than 25% of our take-home salary for a four-bedroom house on a lake. But, you know, there are no MOUNTAINS or OCEANS. Also, no BERNIE MADOFF. Heh.

That said, after Doug said to me a few times, "You know, Rita, you really need to get over your Midwestern defensiveness," I chilled out. Partly because someone in Manhattan asked where I got my hair cut and partly because I had such a great time with Alice, Scott, Liz, Stacy and Doug.

Also, Kirk, my buddy from KC who has lived in Manhattan for, OMG, SEVEN YEARS. What in the hell? This guy grew up in small-town Missouri. Thank God he still didn't know any better than us how to eat teeny tiny soft-shell crab that reminded me too much of Charlie and Sebastian to ingest. Beloved thought they were good, though.

Kirk:  "I'm having trouble accepting this as food."

Take me home!  Feed me!

What did I learn in New York City?  Breakdancing still exists.

He put that helmet to good use, oh yes, he did!

CHECK IT OUT.

Frescoes are always pretty.

Little Italy on a warm, spring night ROCKS.

Especially with him.

Some bathrooms are just way too pink.

We had a kickass time.

And we love New York City.

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Read my review of my plane nonfiction, The Unlikely Disciple, over at Surrender, Dorothy: Reviews.