2009 Debutantes

For first book (now in a drawer), I queried the old-fashioned way. For SHADOW, I discovered e-query and was giddy with the ease of it. Some agents didn't (and still don't, I guess?) take e-queries, so I did use snail mail at times.

My agent: It was an e-query.

I preferred e-mail queries--mostly because they're instantaneous and free, which is a concern for anyone, but particularly when you're sending to US agents from another country. :) I did send snail mail queries, too, but only when the agent didn't accept e-queries.

My agent only accepts e-mail queries, so that's how I approached her.

E-mail first because I can afford free. Snail mail second- but I did both, and I think both are important. Got my first via snail mail query; got my second via e-mail query.

i sent exclusively email. i did not send even one snail mail query out of probably over a hundred queries.

I sent all e-queries. :D

E-mail all the way unless someone did not take e-queries. I am not patient when it comes to hearing about my books, so I loved how fast people got back to me by email.

For a prior book I did a lot of snail mail queries. But for Breathing I used only e-queries. It's so much easier and most (but not all) agents accept them. It's worth checking websites to be sure they are accepted.

I did a lot of snail mail queries in the beginning. I hate to think how much I spent! I found my agent through a referral, but it was an e-referral. Hooray for e!

E-query all the way. I am too impatient. Although some ask for a snail-mail full, which was annoying.

My agent does the whole "online form" thing.

I did about half and half, depending on the agent's stated preference. But when it came to getting my own agent, it was e-mail all the way.

This is for the German publishing scene, where sometimes a book may be sold directly from author to publisher - it's more and more getting to be a rare thing, but it does happen.

I - editor and scout (German mysteries only) - prefer to get manuscripts and even parts of manuscripts printed out in snail mail. Simple queries I prefer to get per e-mail. It's cheaper, faster and it saves the lives of trees ;-).

My agent prefers email query, but then if he's interested wants the whole sub on real paper by snail mail. He has back issues and appreciates a comfy chair to read by. Don't we all!

-Amy

Great question! I researched the agents first and then made a list of which each preferred. I was militant about following their preferences! If they took both snail and email then I looked to see if I could send a few pages with one or the other and went that route (because I felt like my pages might be in my favor). If everything else was equal, I sent an email query.

I sent stuff to my agent snail mail so I could include some pages but he responded via email and it's been email ever since!

I was strictly electronic.

My agent is definitely a member of the digital generation. Email all the way.

oh, if only everything could be done electronically...

I'm with the electronic when possible crowd, because it's easy, quick, free, and I can track it in my workflow better (spreadsheets, etc). I did, however, get my agent via snail mail.