E-queries and a prediction (you read it here first!!!!)

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Of the 20-odd agents I’ve queried so far for my current novel, I’ve done only one by mail.

All the rest have been email queries.

I have to believe I’m not the only writer who’s inclined to favor e-querying. It’s cheaper and less trouble than printing and packaging a snail mail query. And you also get answers faster. Granted, most of them will be “no thanks” kind of answers but even they feel good in a weird kind of way. At least you have evidence that things are moving.

But here’s the thing. Many agents — many very good agents — still prefer traditional paper queries.

So I hereby predict that writers who take the time to craft and mail traditional queries will, at some point, have a slight advantage in the agent-hunting game. Because at some point the majority of the great unpubbed will be dashing off e-queries. Which means anyone willing to put in a bit of extra effort and expense will be rewarded with a slightly less-crowded playing field.

I predict you’ll soon be reading writer-advice articles that recommend you seek agents who only accept snail mail queries as a way of boosting your agent-hunting odds.

You read it here, first.

:-)

3 thoughts on “E-queries and a prediction (you read it here first!!!!)”

  1. I think you’re right, in the not-too-far-distant future. For now, I’m trying to do my homework and give each agent/agency what they say they want. But good point.

    John

  2. I think your prediction is right too. Lots of people submit without preparing properly and e-queries help them in their rush. So those who send a snail-mail query will usually take more time, if for no other reason, than the cost.

  3. John, that is exactly right, of course — we need to do our homework — but plenty of people don’t :-)

    And Amra, welcome to my blog and thanks for commenting!

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