# of queries last week: 186
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 1
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: YA
# of queries this week: 149
# of partials/manuscripts requested: n/a
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: n/a
I’ve had several emails this week asking if I am currently open to queries.
Yes. Yes, I am.
My colleagues Stacia Decker and Amy Boggs, however, are closed to queries from June 1st until September 1st. (ref: agents at dmla)
For me…..
Who should submit: authors that have finished and polished a novel
What to submit: query letter (with pitch), first five pages*, synopsis (1-5 pages)
Where to submit: query.jjackson@maassagency.com
Why to submit: you want representation
When to submit: when you have a finished and polished a novel (echo, echo)
* first five pages does not equal random selection from chapter 3, unsolicited full manuscript, anything in an attachment, links to read somewhere else, refusal to send sample because I/my clients might steal the idea and/or a requirement to sign a waiver first, sending a prologue and explaining that it’s not the best part (if not, then don’t have one), comment that five pages isn’t sufficient to assess the work
Editing and polishing. Then more editing, and more polishing. And hopefully, one day, it will be ready for you. (*fingers very tightly crossed* )
yeah, i suppose i have much more editing and polishing to do myself. just got my pages rejected by you. thanks for the consideration, though.
Jennifer, would you be open to a query on a novel, if I already have a publisher interested?
Do you often have query wars? I am a first time reader of your page and a new writer and would like to know if I have any hope of sending you a manuscript once I too have a “edited and polished” book.
I’ve been reading through your archives and I gather from this post that you _do_ want to see the prologue included in the first 5 pages. Is that correct? Janet Reed wants the first 5 pages of chapter 1, so I figured I’d check your preference. Thanks for taking the time to blog, I’m enjoying these letters from the query wars.