Like Cat, I wonder about the acceptability of emails for clarification purposes. For example, if it is unclear whether or not an agent represents rhyming PB’s, is it OK to email and ask? Or is inquiring actually a bigger bother than submitting something that doesn’t suit?

Or I could always send up smoke signals.

Mwahahahahaha.

Yeah. Sorry you have pre-queries clogging your inbox.

Mary, I have prequeried agents before, but I hope my situation was a little different. Agents can be very vague about what constitutes a chapter book. When they say, “I accept PB, MG and YA,” that doesn’t always mean they will consider a chapter book. It also doesn’t mean they won’t. Likewise, I’ve found agents who claim to rep “all genres of juvenile lit,” who really don’t include chapter books in that all-encompassing definition.

If an agent isn’t clear on his/her definitions/preferences, I will send a short email along these lines: “I noted in your guidelines that you consider PB, MG and YA. Would this include a 12,000 word chapter book?”

I’ve had enough no resonses to validate the wisdom of doing this. I think in the end, I’ve wasted less time–mine and the agent’s–with this method.

Is this an acceptable prequery?

And Jamie “prime your agent for me” ooo- I’m still shuddering.

Like this.

Melody, the agent typically is asking for the first 10 manuscript pages. Don’t get hung up on little details, like if your sample is actually 8 pages, or 13 pages. Anywhere within the ballpark will do fine.

Marissa

Bongo, you are so fickle.