http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2010/06/query-stats-salutations.html

We're still trying to figure out how one of the unfortunate queriers came up with "Martha Bransford."

"My question is this: when you say 'addressed to us personally'–this is supposed to be where we say why we picked YOU instead of Agent Next Door, right? My frustration is writing such a thing without sounding like I'm pandering."

Kathleen, there's a difference between "addressed personally" and personalization. For the first, the agent's name, spelled correctly, i.e. "Dear Ms. Gardner" is all you need. "Dear Agent," "Dear Bob," and "To whom it may concern" are neither personal nor appropriate.

For the second, it's not a question of why you think this agent is better than other agents, but why you think your project will be a good fit. Why do you want this agent to rep your book? If the answer is "because they're an agent," you clearly haven't done your homework. But no matter the case, there's no need to pander. Honestly, if it bothers you, there's no need to personalize beyond "Dear [insert correct name]." A nicely personalized letter can help the overall impression, but it's not the most critical aspect.

Hope this helps! 🙂

Lucy

Lauradroege brought up some excellent points in her post regarding a platform for non-fiction.

I'm sure many of us would be interested in your reply to some of her concerns.

It would be great if you could elaborate about the importance of when a platform should come into the picture.

Most of us realize that there's a great advantage for the writer who has an established platform.

What about the writer who has the confidence in their ability to establish a platform based on their past performances in sales and marketing?

Could this also be considered as an asset?

Yes, it is harsh. I don't mind studying agents. Following them on their social media and going over their submissions guidelines with a fine-tooth comb. It doesn't do a bit of good if they don't say specifically what they want.

If putting your word count at the end of the query makes an agent want to delete the query on sight if it isn't done that way, then just note that in the submission guidelines.

I will be happy to jump through hoop d, a, c, e, b in exactly that order if that's what the agent wants. Just put it somewhere so I know.

It has nothing to do with my ability as a writer, the quality of my manuscript or my personal level of insanity.

Just plainly state what you want as an agent and I will send you exactly that. Nothing more and nothing less.

@ Robert: Ouch. Unless you've read someone's manuscript I really don't think automatically blaming their confusion with the process, especially at first, is fair at all.

@ Everyone- yes, the picture would be funny- honestly- but it is an unhappy coincidence that I have to wear disfiguring glasses in real life (plus 15 correction for aphakia)or I can't see. The picture in my blogger profile is glasses I can't wear anymore that were paired with contacts that are no longer an option for me. I also happen to have as anyone can see, blue eyes and dark hair. Still you've got to have a sense of humor when these things happen…

@Ms. Gardener

Thank you again for the post- it may have made me look like a whiner and opened me up to insult by people who haven't even read my work, but if it helped one other writer in that you responded to it, it was worth having made the original comment. Now I don't ever have to question the process again because someone in the know gave a straight answer.

Thank you.

To those who think agents are unfair, mentally challenged or downright evil: agents desire to be successful just as you do. The difference is that they need twenty to thirty successful authors (or one really Super Author)to provide them the same income you expect from your Great American Novel. The difficulty they face is that they must sift through tons of aspiring, talented writers to choose those which fit their services and hold some glimpse of a promise to have a story that they can represent.
Publishing has been, for better or worse, distilled down to a marketing decision. Talent and art, imagination and creativity, story arc and theme are still sought after elements of a prospective novel, but the bottom line is going to be "can I sell this book to XYZ publisher?"
Your query letter should fit this format: a good letter that sells the concept of your novel and reveals not only the skeleton of your plot and the major conflict but also your voice and talent. Sadly, this is the audition. If you have ever tried out for a sport, a position in a chorus or a play, you may be acquainted with the process. It is competitive, it can be unfair, it can be fraught with poor judgment and the errors that come with the mind-numbing task of sorting through thousands of vanilla letters. Agents (and editors) should be approached with the same compassion that the hard-working, committed author is deserved.