Why you should be reading who you're querying

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Writing allows us to build worlds readers want to live in for a few hours. Agents help connect writers with the actual world while still appreciating the fictional world. Editors take what we write about our fictional world and give it some Botox with a side of slice and dice. Plumps things up while cutting others out. Full plastic surgeon treatment. 

If you are querying an editor, what got you there? Was it in a list of agents hungry for new submissions or an editor trying to fill slots in their publishing calendar? Do you like their work? 

What would happen if you looked at the books the agent or editor has it’s in current stable? You might find they like short fiction or poetry. Maybe they’ve had a run-on military books and are asking for FBI books now.  

It’s between sending out a message in a bottle versus an email address. The importance of finding the right button to push is epic.

Maria Tyutina

If you read some books they’ve bought and sold, you will find things like they prefer first person over third. I’m big on no backstory dump. One of my writer friends was reading a few books in a line her agent wanted to submit to. Turns out the line wants heavy backstory. Personally, I will put a book down for lazy writing before I finish the third page, but this line has a different view. I know never to submit to them. We aren’t a good fit. 

I remember another writer friend who had a goal of being published. Every writer wants that. But there are several other writers who want to be traditionally published, which means not doing anything self-publishing until we have a contract in hand. That surprised her. We all have our own idea of what success looks like.  

Editors and agents have their own ideas about their careers and what they think will help them succeed. The best way to figure out what they want from us is to read what they’re interested in. Read the books. Read them. Read.  

It’s not always full proof. Sometimes they take a chance on something and it doesn't sell. Maybe something else gets in the way. You’ve written a vampire romance, and it gets published. Then the Twilight books hit. Your story is on the back burner. Plus, your vampires don’t sparkle. It’s not a hit. The timing sucked.  

Geon George

That scenario happens, but it’s on the rare side. Agents and editors buy what they want they know will sell. Taking the time to read a book or two they’ve published gives your query letter a leg up. The knowledge lets you point out the things in your book that they like. Maybe they love a small-town romance or a sci-fi romance, but you can’t find a single military book in their stable. You might pull a different book from your archive to send to them.  

My question is why aren’t you reading their books? It’s like having inside information for a job interview. As a writer, you need to be reading all kinds of stuff. Being published is a brutal process. Give yourself as much of a leg up as you can.  

There are so many things that have to go right in order for anyone to earn a living writing. When I asked one writer who they had submitted to she wasn’t sure. I stared, befuddled.

Selling a book is like you are on a blind date. If you don’t even know the name or the house, you’re a bad blind date. Look, we all know it's a cattle call at pitchfest, but try. Look them up before you write the query letter. Please. 

There is room for all of us at the table. Find a fit that works for you. I want you to succeed and be happy about your level of success. Do a bit of digging and read the books.  

Anyone else have any thoughts? I love learning fresh ways to look at things.