Welcome Agent Holly Root!
Agents. The idea of getting an agent strikes fear in many new writers hearts. We all hear the expression, no agent is better than a bad agent and this is 100% true. We’ve had Susan Kearney give her two cents on what kind of questions you should ask an agent before signing, but we’ve never had an agent here in the jungle. Today we change that! 
Welcome HOLLY ROOT from the Waxman Literary Agency. I first met Holly when she was sold audio rights at Trident Media Group. Holly and I bonded from day one and have stayed in touch since she left Trident to become an agent in her own right. Holly is smart and savvy and we are lucky to have her here in the jungle … on a Saturday, no less! This woman works hard!
Today she’s going to tell you how to make your query stand out in the slush pile, so listen up! This is advice you won’t want to miss. Welcome, Holly!
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Hey, blog readers! I’m so happy to be joining you for a guest blog today—many thanks to the fabulous Carly for inviting me.
I suspect I may be led by a guilty conscience over my own looming tower of queries (I’m catching up! I promise!), but I thought I’d pass on a few tips to you about how to make your query leap out of the slush pile and into an agent’s “dying to read this one for sure” pile. I’m not going to cover the basic points of queries, because there are so many good resources out there, and being the smart and savvy folks you are, you’ve no doubt read them. I find that the divide between killer queries and the merely proficient ones is a more subtle question of attitude, so let’s get down to it.
Be yourself. One of my favorite things to see in a query is the author’s voice shining through. Now, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be professional and polite—I hate the queries that insult me or “challenge” me to be man (ahem) enough to take on the project—but your query should give me a good taste of what your writing is like. The queries where I skip the partial and go straight to requesting the full always do this—the query voice is so honest and appealing that I want more, more, more and can’t wait.
Be ruthless. With your writing, that is! As you write and revise your query, slash and burn anything that tells too much, rambles too much, or distracts from the central purpose of a query. Don’t give me more info than I need. I want to know what the book is about—the central conflict. I want to know what about this book will make readers clamber to get their hands on it. What makes it commercially viable, but different from what already exists in the market? Answer that question, and then show me (don’t tell me!) that in your query.
Be confident. Don’t sell yourself short before I even get the chance to make a decision. Don’t tell me you’ll “change anything I want” or that you “know it isn’t quite there.” Now is not the time for that! If you’re ready to query, you have to have confidence that your work is worth readers’ time and brain power. If you don’t honestly believe that, back to the writing desk until you do.
Be ready. Don’t hit send until your work is ready for prime time. Don’t hit send if your query contains any of these words: “first draft,” “will be completed soon,” “going to start writing next week.” This is probably the #1 reason I pass on things—it’s obvious from the query that the book or author just isn’t ready to be serious about writing. And you know, I think this is a very common form of self-sabotage, and goes back to the question of confidence. Sending that query before it’s really done suggests to me that the author is afraid to really commit to his or her business as a writer—it’s a defense mechanism against rejection because “I wasn’t really trying” or “I wasn’t querying for real.” Quit that! Are you a writer? Then write. Own it.
Be positive. Think of queries not as a terrible, horrible stumbling block, but a chance to whet an agent or editor’s appetite. We know they are hard (we write them too—pitch letter, back cover copy—they are tough!). But we want to find something great when we read them. Agents who are looking for new clients are hoping with every query we read that this will be The One. I believe that there are great projects just a query away, and for that reason I, and many of my colleagues, take reading them very seriously. I only read them when I’m in the right frame of mind to give every one a fair read. So stay positive—we are not just looking for a reason to say no. We’re as eager to find the next big thing as you are to be it!
I’ll be stopping by later today to see what’s on your mind. Feel free to leave any query questions, musings on the writing life, whatever, and I’ll be by to chat.
Dear Holly,
Do you respond only to queries you are interested in or do you respond to all queries you receive? Thank you.
Comment by Angelle — February 2, 2008 @ 8:38 am
Good Morning Ms. Root. Thank you so much for taking the time to swing through the canopy here in the jungle today. Great advice on queries. You touched on all of those tender and sensitive points that strike fear into the hearts of many writers.
Now for a few questions:
Are you open to clients who are e-published only?
Which genres or sub-genres are you most interested in seeing?
Do you represent any romance authors who write category and/or single title romances?
Is it prudent for an e-published author to try and interest an agent in one of their e-books that is no longer available on-line?
Thank you again for joining us here today.
Plotmonkeys, have a terrific Saturday. Julie, does the meter at the right mean you’ve finished your book?
Have a great day all,
Cher
Comment by Cher — February 2, 2008 @ 9:26 am
Yes!!! I’m done!!! Yeah!!!
(until revisions, LOL!)
Hello, Holly! Welcome to the jungle…we’re so pleased to have you here. I’m in Sarasota Florida at a workshop/retreat this morning, rooming with Susan Kearney. She wants to ask you a funny question about Marilyn Manson, but she’s too tired to think of anything. We stayed up late last night plotting Sue’s next Dragon book!
Thank you so much for blogging with us today!
Comment by Julie Leto — February 2, 2008 @ 9:42 am
Hi Holly, terrific blog! So many writers obsess about queries. They’re our introduction to the agent, our chance to make a good first impression. Is a great synopsis as important as the query to you?
Julie, congratulations on finishing your book.
Comment by Edie — February 2, 2008 @ 10:45 am
I’m posting because I’m one of those people who sent Holly a query letter and she’s now my agent
My first books were small press and e-published (I still have contracts to fulfill with those companies), but queried with my other projects. Holly is very supportive of her authors and gives great advice. With Ms. Root, you’re not just selling a book, you’re building a career.
As Holly said, be positive. Don’t be afraid to write! This is your career. Get that book finished and submit it.
Angelique Armae - thrilled to be counted as a client of uber-agent Holly Root.
Comment by AArmae — February 2, 2008 @ 11:35 am
Hi Holly–
Thanks so much for being here with us today!
I really think your “be ready” suggestion is an excellent one. I’ve known people who write a few chapters, zip it off, then are caught completely by surprise when they have to actually provide a book.
Hope everyone here gives you a warm jungle welcome.
Leslie
Comment by Leslie — February 2, 2008 @ 12:39 pm
This is such a timely blog for me because I’m finishing the synopsis for a novella I’ve completed and am getting ready to start on queries. So far, I’ve found that this process terrifies me! lol
For me, its because I feel so restricted and confined to the “rules” of how to write a synopsis that it paralyzes me. And I haven’t quite figured out how to cover everything that needs to be covered, keep it tight and concise and still let my voice come through. It’s like trying to dance with my feet tied together…awkward, clumsy and painful to watch!!
Thanks so much for swinging through the jungle with us today and for giving us the thoughts of an agent on this process!!!
Comment by Jodie — February 2, 2008 @ 12:42 pm
*waves* Morning Holly!!!!
Like Angelique I started in epublishing and Holly is now my agent too. She’s a DREAM to work with.
I have to confess, I’m one of those geeks who actually enjoys writing query letters (and yes, synopsis) *hangs head*
Comment by Amie Stuart — February 2, 2008 @ 1:26 pm
Welcome to the jungle, Holly! It’s a pleasure having you here. Great advice for queries, too!!!
Comment by Janelle — February 2, 2008 @ 1:33 pm
Hey guys. Thanks for coming by on Saturday! To answer questions:
Angelle, I do respond one way or the other to queries emailed directly to me. I almost always reply within two weeks so if someone hasn’t heard they should resend. Queries sent through our web site, though, don’t always get a response if it’s a no–because it’s on the Web, I think it seems easier and people maybe take it less seriously–you wouldn’t believe the quantity (and kookiness!) we get there. That said, I know I have at least one client who queried that way, so we do look at it. But I usually prefer direct emails.
Cher, I am glad Angelique popped in because I immediately thought of her. She’s fabulously epubbed and has a nice track with a small press–but I signed her because she was a killer writer ready to make the leap to single title trade publishing. I wouldn’t sign someone who wanted to continue epublishing exclusively–simply because there isn’t much I could do for you in that world for enough $ to balance the time. I do have authors who write category but I don’t consider myself a category agent–hope you understand what that means. Some categories, I will tell you flat out, I am clueless about–others I have a better handle on and if a client wanted to write for them, I’d be all in favor.
Julie L, please tell SueK this for me.
Julie, I am so not a synopsis person. Your blurb in your query should snag my interest and not get bogged down in details, but I never ask for a synopsis when I request a partial. I know they suck, fear not. When someone does send one, I might (*might*) flip through it to see if there’s any secret crazy lurking in chapter 4 waiting to pounce, but I pretty much only care about the writing. The exception would be if you’re selling/signing on a proposal, but even then a synopsis is fixable if the plot is sound.
And Jodie, I always tell people to try not to think about telling the story in the query. Tell me the inciting event–the central conflict that kicks off the plot–and tell me who is involved in a way that highlights what makes them different, exciting, and intriguing (and, free gift for stopping by today…the answer to that question is never how they look! :mrgreen
Comment by Holly R — February 2, 2008 @ 1:38 pm
Thanks Amie, Janelle! And everyone should listen to Amie–her query was soo good I basically threw myself at her from word one. (And then borrowed liberally from it for my pitch letter.
)
Comment by Holly R — February 2, 2008 @ 1:41 pm
Hi Holly! Thanks for being here and thanks for the great advice. It seems daunting to me to put so much into so little (hope that made sense) when writing a query letter. I understand what should go in it, but it’s tough when in the back of my mind I know this one letter can make or break a request. You’ve given me some new insight, however. I’ll take the idea of attitude to heart when I’m ready to query agents. Thanks!!
And Julie~ yay on finishing!
Comment by Robin — February 2, 2008 @ 1:59 pm
Thank you for posting this! It was so good to read. I was especially heartened when you said that the number one reason you pass on queries is because it’s obvious that the author is not ready to be serious, and/or the manuscript is not ready. It’s daunting to hear how many queries agents receive and how few clients they take on, so it’s nice to know that there are some easy things to avoid so as not to be tossed into the auto-reject pile.
Comment by Caryn — February 2, 2008 @ 2:15 pm
Thank you Ms. Root for your answers. I asked about e-publishing because even though first 5 books are e-published I want to move away from e-publishing and try to get into print. I wasn’t sure if agents had a negative view of authors who have been e-pubbed and are wanting to move into print.
YAY JULIE!!!
Comment by Cher — February 2, 2008 @ 3:37 pm
Thank you Ms. Root for your answers.
I asked about e-publishing because even though my first 5 books are e-published I am trying to move away from e-publishing to try to get into print.
I wasn’t sure if agents had a negative view of authors who have been e-pubbed and are wanting to move into print.
In other words, do agents feel that e-published authors are published by a “lesser” publishing god?
Do you think there is a kind of stigma attached to it when an e-pubbed author queries an agent?
YAY JULIE!!! WOO HOO!! YOU FINISHED AND THAT’S GREAT!!
Celebrate, celebrate, dance to the music…
Cher
Comment by Cher — February 2, 2008 @ 3:43 pm
Very informarive post!
Comment by Estella — February 2, 2008 @ 5:11 pm
Hi, Holly! I love agent interviews. It’s like a sneak peek inside their head.
I liked your response about letting your voice come out in the actual query. That’s one thing I always struggle with–how much of ‘myself’ I can allow in a query or reply. I think I end up hitting delete/backspace a little more than I need to! *Grin* But it’s good to know I can loosen up…maybe just a little. 
Comment by Shelli Stevens — February 2, 2008 @ 9:35 pm
Sorry, I am so late….I wanted to Welcome Holly to the jungle…thank you for taking the time to share your expertise with us…your points will come in handy if I ever decide to write a full length novel…After these Saturday lessons…I convince myself that I am going to start, but once time goes by, I put it off and lose my confidence…
I like the point about being honesty as well as the one that says a writer should be ruthless by slashing and burning information that gives too much away…I think that the latter would be one of the hardest things to do as a writer…I guess that is what separates the good writers from the bad, huh?
Jules, I see that you are done…yippee…
CONGRATULATIONS…. 
I can’t wait until the summer gets here…Carly, I hope that you are feeling better…
Talk to you all later…
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Comment by Paula R. — February 2, 2008 @ 9:44 pm
What a great interview! Thanks!
Comment by December Quinn/Stacia Kane — February 3, 2008 @ 6:47 am
Thank you, Holly! Glad to know that we shouldn’t really use the web form. I used that to send a query to you, but never heard back, so I wasn’t sure what the response policy was.
Comment by Angelle — February 3, 2008 @ 7:16 am
Holly, thank you so much for joining us! I know you gav ehelp and inspiration to so many people!
Comment by Carly — February 3, 2008 @ 10:00 am
Holly Root rocks!
Comment by John E — February 3, 2008 @ 12:24 pm