How to Stalk an Agent- Part 2

Now that you've found your prey, get ready...

4) SHOOT that email or send that query letter! You're in agent love; they seem perfect for you and your work. They describe what you've written, and you KNOW they'll cry and smile when they read it. Be careful because they spook easily. DO NOT WRITE AN OVERLY ENTHUSIASTIC EMAIL LIKE THIS!!! Be sure you've spelled their name right, be sure you follow ALL query rules, and that your words will engage them fully with action and no fluff. More on queries to come!

5)Missed Target: There is no crying in stalking. Your celebrity has screeched off to Malibu. You may have received a rejection or two hundred, but it's not over. There are other agents out there. Revaluate your genre. Revaluate your query letter and hop into some critique circles; maybe it isn't as spicy as you thought. Revaluate your first five or ten pages; maybe it doesn't have the right hook. If you have sent ten or twenty queries with no bites, rethink what you've sent. If you have twenty rejections and nothing, edit what you've written before you resend.

 That star isn't catching what you're throwing, so make it more appealing to get a "more, please." If it's broken, fix it!

6) Don't give up : ) Ever. Knowing when to give up and move on from a project is hard. You're a better writer for every project you do, even if it doesn't sell. The worst thing you can do is send out work that isn't ready to be seen. And the second worst thing you can do is never try.

How do you know when to keep querying or put the project away?

How to Stalk an Agent- Part 1

No one is really following an agent with enormous sunglasses and a trench coat. I'm talking about research, excellent research on literary agents. Here are some tips on how to stalk the right people like the paparazzi.

1) Define the Territory: You show up at the Ivy in Beverly Hills, throwing bright flashes, I mean manuscripts, attempting to capture and attract them with your pure genius (because of course it is!). But they're at Chipotle. One of the biggest reasons an agent rejects a query is unrepresented genre. Be sure you have a clear idea about the genre you fall in before you head to step 2. If you aren't sure, take the time to research.

2) Name that Star: Head to one of the many agent lists-- Querytracker, Jeff Herman's Guide to Publishing, or Writer's Market-- to find a target. ONLY chase agents who might smile for the camera and represent your genre, not hit the automatic delete button. Make a list of the type of agent you're looking for...one with a pulse, one who loves cats, one with e-book deals, one who will get you tons of cash…

3)Take Aim: When you've found someone who appears suitable, hold the urge to toss your query. Rewrite it. Get it critiqued. Polish. THEN.... Follow them through the streets, I mean the Internet. Check their agency's website to search represented clients. Do you fit in? Their clients may have individual websites, and you may have to search Amazon to read synopsis information. I suggest doing the leg work. Has the agent given interviews? Guide to Literary Agents has plenty of interviews. Do they Tweet or have a blog? Several agents have these as well, and they give information about what type of work they are and aren't looking for. If you discover this star is running from the rain of queries and jumping in a limo to escape, go to the next one.

Part Two coming on Monday!

Do you have any favorite stalking hangouts?

Welcome to Middle Grade Manor!

Welcome to a blog focused on all things for the middle grade writers and readers! Posts will be geared toward those who are serious about being published for this exciting age group. 

Stay tuned and thanks for stopping by Middle Grade Manor!


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