I find it very interesting to hear your thoughts and why the query turned you off. You offered some great points.

I'm afraid I respectfully disagree, though. Let's say that you do need a writer who can sell themselves – although sidetrack for a moment, I think an agent as skilled as yourself can easily teach any writer how to sell themselves. However, for the sake of argument, let's say that you do.

But all of your feedback to the above queiryer wasn't about selling herself. It was about missing information. So, now you're stuck. You either have to ask her for the information, or pass on the query. That's either time spent with 14 billion other queries still waiting, or you risk passing up a good project.

If you get the information up front, and decide you like the project, then you can find out who this writer is – but you'll be putting time into a potential client. You can see how they handle themselves in their interactions with you, and you can teach them what they don't know.

Oh, goodness, I really believe I'm right here. I wish someone would make me an agent so I can prove it. You should hire me, Rachelle, and let me prove it. I can promise you I'd not only quickly have a solid client base, but I'd have a solid client base of bestsellers!

Now, obviously, I lack confidence, and whether I'm skilled or not remains to be seen, but I would think that a. a skilled, confident writer would want to shine with their actual writing and, b. that a skilled, confident agent would look for the best projects and the best writing first, and then fill in any gaps.

You're never going to find someone perfect, but lots of people can be taught how to write good queries. Very few people can write a good book.

Thanks for the opportunity to talk about this, Rachelle. I appreciate it.

Thanks for letting us in for a peek!

I don't know that I would do absolutely anything to avoid one, but I can think of a number of things that I've considered doing with a query letter that would be difficult with a form.