This is just for interest really.

I've sent to four so far - two have sent me the 'thanks but no thanks' standard letter, one has told me I'll have to wait four months and I haven't heard anything from the other one. I did the typical thing - sent off a letter, synopsis and appropriate number of chapters.

A friend of mine rang a few agents before work one morning. Mostly he got to speak to receptionists informing him of the usual submission process. He got to speak to one agent who didn't sound bored and sent his three chapters and synopsis. The agent requested the whole manuscript within days and the contract was signed within a week. My friend hasn't sent to any other agents (sob!)

That brings up an interesting point. Do people think it is better to phone first or just mail out stuff?

Brian.

I've tried phoning, but I always wuddle my mords and sound like a total idiot. Chuck in a geordie accent and that seals my fate.

Colin M

I must admit, I didn't think I'd get to speak to an agent by phone. Maybe my friend was just lucky and in the right place at the right time? The agent did ask about his novel and took his name.

Last year I had a brief flirtation with approaching agents, I tried the recommended method and rang first for a name to address the letter to. In every case I got the same response, “just send it to the submissions department dummy.” It was very frustrating.

Grinder

I'll second that, Grinder; I've tried quite a few and they always just say send it to the subs dept.

One woman said 'What's it about then?' so I told her. She said 'Oh that sounds interesting, hang on a minute' and went off to ask someone, but she came back and said 'No Thanks'. So she was obviously only the oily rag.

At the London Book Fair thing, Johnny Gellar made a point of saying 'Address your submission to an agent' and this very point was made to him. He said, 'Find out agent's names by searching on the net for the agents of authors in your genre, or contact publishers of those authors and ask for the agent's name. I haven't tried that, though.

Sharon

The agent's name isn't always the best option. Lots of agencies use readers; alternatively, they have someone who looks after submissions, leaving the agents to work with their current clients. For example, Gregory and Company insist you address everything to Mary Jones. With Christopher little, it's Julia Davies.

Personally, I usually address everything to The Reader, unless I've had something back from a particular person.

Although it would be nice to know who you're submitting to, in reality, I don't think getting the right name scores so many brownie points that it will tip the balance.

Colin M

Colin,

I’ve a feeling you may be right. I’ll try “dear reader” next time and not fret so much.

Grinder

One positive aspect of calling first that my friend found was that one of them had actually advertised fiction, but when he described his novel, they informed him that they don't do thrillers. If he hadn't spoken with them, he might have sent it, so at least he didn't have a wasted attempt there.

Colin-M - you made me chuckle out loud, thanks :-) Just stick to approaching these guys by writing, (assuming you dont write Geordie too!).

But seriously, LuckyStar's friend was really the lucky one here - that's a spectacular result, but I dont think anyone should read anything into it. There's no wider resonance to the story. Agents reject over 98% of MSs sent their way, so whilst I find it's sometimes worthwhile phoning to get an actual name, there's no point in nervously pitching your life's work to a tetchy receptionist. Just follow their submission guidlines to-the-letter, and keep your fingers crossed...

I have the worlds largest blind spot about contacting these people. Almost as large as the one that obscures my desire to contact publishers, a thing that I do from a sense of grim duty about once a year!
I hate the entire process.
I don't altogether see why it should be that forceful 'go getter' personalities with good office skils are thought to write the best novels...
I should actually like to operate or see operated an 'outreach' publishers that actively went out looking for talent rather than just remaining seated behind the barbed wire muttering,
"Here come those dreadful writer types again, just because I tout myself as a publisher they keep bothering me for some reason!" LOL

I agree that contacting agents and publishers is the hardest part of the attempt to 'be a writer'. It's also the most expensive part since precisely zero of them will accept our weighty three chapters etc by email, and insist we continue to deforest the planet and waste postage with our (usually fruitless) submissions. It's not, however, those with 'office skills' who win contracts. I've got 'office skills'. I've spent most of my working life speaking to people on the phone, BUT I would never, ever have the guts to phone an agent and try to pitch my novels. That's selling, which is a totally different 'skill' - and one I haven't got. Not verbally, anyway. Bloody hell, it takes enough courage to write 'em a letter and stick it in the post with sample chapters of my life's work attached. I agree that it would be easier for us shy and retiring types if agents/publishers actually advertised for work to be sent to them - but some do, and we all know what they want, don't we? Our money. So.... it's back to mindlessly browsing the internet when I should be composing that killer cover letter to send to agents....


Julie

Now Julie this isn't very uplifting for those of us also mindlessly browsing the internet when we should be composing that killer cover letter to send to agents....

Brian.

After a while a picture starts to frm, of sucessful writers all being couragous killers! That is my point, and maybe explains the tendencies of literature come to think of it. The 'artistic personality'is not usualy typified by gregarious forcful types is it?

It's worse than that, Brian. I'm supposed to be re-painting the stair-rails (the fiddly, spindly things) and the door-frames. Being currently on long-term sick-leave and practically on house-arrest as I'm still not considered fit enough to drive, I really thought this was my big chance to throw out some more submissions, but no. The cover letter is only half-written and the synopsis is still not a thing of great beauty. So it's fair to say that right now, Writewords is not only keeping me from a job I hate (painting), it's also preventing me from pursuing my only ambition - getting published.

First things first. Better paint those stairs. But I'd better have a brew first/eat lunch/feed cats/clean litter trays.... Procrastination. It's my middle name...

Julie