My office recently received a submission for a project that wouldn’t work for us. We were about to send the author a polite rejection when we noticed many other agencies’ addresses in the recipient field.
The list was long.
Dreadfully long.
We counted 135 addresses. We may have missed a few lines because counting from an onscreen listing is difficult. Who knows? Maybe the author tried 140 agents. Some addresses were “slushpile” or “submissions,” so we assume the author made no personal connection with anyone before hitting the SEND button.
Allow me to digress. Every email submission sent to my office is reviewed with the assumption that we will be interested in offering representation. We don’t demand authors have any previous dealings with us in person or on social media. While regrettably, we need to reject most unsolicited offerings, I’ve offered representation to many “slush pile” authors.
Not every author has the time or money to attend writers conferences. Writers hitting the conference circuit will discover that meeting a particular agent is challenging since not every agent is at every conference or event. So what if you, out of necessity, are a “slush pile” author?
The Right Way to Submit:
- Research agencies online or through professional listings. When you do, please read which agencies employ agents actively seeking your type of project.
- Based on your careful research, decide on a maximum of five agencies to which you want to submit your work.
- Keep a “B” list to refer to if no agent from your top five agencies offers representation.
- After identifying your favorite agencies, research each agent within the agency.
- Choose one agent, and one agent only per agency, to whom you will submit your work.
- Each cover letter can be identical, but open with the agent’s name. If nothing else, this will prove that at least you are emailing one agent at a time and not spamming everyone. Note: when more than one of us receives the identical submission simultaneously at our agency, Steve Laube immediately identifies the email as spam.
- Let each agent know this is a simultaneous submission. Before pressing SEND on any of your submission emails, be sure you have included the materials each agent requires.
- Wait impatiently for responses, as writers are inclined to do.
While this is slow, at least this way, you will not summon 135 ghosts who won’t respond to your email. Even a horror writer will want to hear at least a BOO!
There was the day I realized
that the slushpile was my lot,
and nothing that could be devised
would give more than I’d got,
and so it seemed a bit obscure
to write on, with no-one there,
but I found there is a cure,
and so, bloggers beware!,
for I have, through the skulking years,
left my comments in verse;
my very name inspires tears
in a blogger who now bears the curse
of sometimes dreadful sonnetry,
the slushpile’s living legacy.
Andrew, I always look forward to see what you come up with with all the different subjects in these blogs! You’re so creative! And I’m encouraged to keep going myself when I see how you, in your weakness and pain, can keep writing. Your sonnets make me smile, make me tear up, and always make me thankful you’re still here to write them. ((hugs)) and prayers!
Pam, thank you for this. Writing anything is getting hard; focusing to write structured verse can be downright painful (literally; it induces headaches).
But it’s worth it, for being a part of this community, and replies like yours are really a treasure. You lift me up.
What Pam said
Thank you so much, Sy.
I would be honored to be one of your chosen few from the slush pile, Tamela, and listed on Steve Laube’s “Year in Review” post for new authors signed on. I will wait as long as it takes.
Thank you for such an uplifting comment!
Over 135? Imagine the cost of that in the good ole days when we sent submissions via the USPS. haha! Now THAT would be boo worthy. Ha!
Yes, email can cause people not to be discerning!
I can always depend on learning or reviewing great information here.
My question, Tamela, if sending to more than one agent via separate emails, should the author still state simultaneous submissions?
Also, on a different subject, I’m hearing/reading, alliteration and ,–ing words are frowned upon, as well as the use of the “to be” verb. Can you give some feedback?
Many thanks, Tamela. Jeannie
Yes, please state simultaneous submissions, since they are.
As for craft, alliteration, -ing words, and “to be” can all be appropriate and even memorable in the right context. My guess is that overuse of these is more the issue.
“To be, or not to be,
That is the question:” — Hamlet
Thank you for your response!!!
Tamela, many, many years ago, I mistakenly sent the same letter to every agent in numerous agencies. This was irregardless of what type of books they represented. Big mistake! No wonder no one replied! Thanks for your insight.
The main thing is, you’ve been learning and hanging in with us!
Great advice, Tamela! I’m so honored to be part of the Steve Laube Agency and especially thrilled to have you as my agent.
Awww, thank you!
Although I never sent out simultaneous submissions in my early years, this article would have been like gold to me when I first started writing. I hope aspiring writers read this and take heed of your instructions. As for me, I’m blessed to have you as my agent. You’re the best!
Loretta, you are awesome!
Thank you for the helpful information. As a new writer, and one getting ready to dive into the torrential waters of submissions, I’m thankful for any and all advice!
What an eye-catching picture on that post! I love it.