Query Q&A with Guest Blogger Chuck Sambuchino...

I recently received a question about including credentials in a query letter. I tossed this question to Guide to Literary Agents editor and blogger Chuck Sambuchino. Here's the question and his advice. (And that's Chuck over there.)


QUESTION: I can't decide what constitutes a legitimate credential when I get to the infamous Author Information paragraph of the query. I'm unpublished, so unfortunately I can't amaze a publisher/agent with that kind of info.

Here are some examples of things that I could mention:

• I have an English degree from Vanderbilt University. Would a publisher/agent care?
• I'm the mother of four avid young readers. Would a publisher/agent care?
• I've done proofreading for a number of other authors' books. (Not Children's Lit, though.) Would a publisher/agent care?

Obviously those "credentials" are specific to me, and I'd love your input. But I'm sure there are a lot of other readers out there who aren't sure where the line exists between valid credential and irrelevant information that would annoy a publisher/agent.


ANSWER: Ah ... what and what not to mention in the “bio” paragraph of your query letter. This is always a hot topic at the writers’ conferences I attend because it’s always a case-by-case thing. Let’s look over your questions.

• I have an English degree from Vanderbilt University. Would a publisher/agent care?

Sure, mention it. It would be more effective to list any published clips or short stories, but an English degree (or better yet--MFA) is never a bad thing to see. Mention it quickly and humbly like you did above.

• I'm the mother of four avid young readers. Would a publisher/agent care?

No--skip it. The fact that you have four avid readers probably helps you write and compose. But too often, agents see parents who think they have what it takes to write a children’s book, for example, simply because they have kids. It’s kind of a cliché thing to say. Nix it.

• I've done proofreading for a number of other authors' books. (Not Children's Lit, though.) Would a publisher/agent care?

If you were paid to edit people’s work, say so. You would be, by definition, a freelance editor. If you did it for peers, perhaps are you part of a writing group? SCBWI? RWA? MWA? If you are, say so briefly. All that said, if you simply reviewed friends’ books, that will not carry much weight in a query so I say skip it.

Don’t be afraid to be brief and wrap up the query. The most important part in a query is the pitch, and a writer should hope that an agent is so hooked by the pitch that they want to see sample pages then and there. Sure, an agent cares about who you are. But more so, they care about if you can write.

• If you have more questions on queries, there's still time to sign up for today's WD 1 p.m. (eatern) webinar, Extreme Makover: The Query Letter. Click here for details.
• To read Chuck's blog including a recent interview with editor-turned-agent Brenda Bowen, click here.
• To learn more about Guide to Literary Agents, click here.
  

On the GLA Blog: Agent Kelly Sonnack...

Guide to Literary Agents editor Chuck Sambuchino posted an interview with agent Kelly Sonnack who recently joined Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Here's a snippet:

I’d love to see more well-written and clever middle grade fiction. There’s a need for it right now and I see a lot of potential in this market. I’d also love to see more memoir for kids – especially cultural memoir about growing up in different countries, identity, and living across cultures. We are a colorful world, and I’m not sure that’s reflected adequately in children’s lit quite yet.

Click here to read the full interview.

Enter Chuck's 'Worst Storyline Ever' Contest...

My editor pal Chuck Sambuchino just posted the first-ever contest on his Guide to Literary Agent's Blog.

If you think you've got what it takes to enter the "Worst Storyline Ever" contest, visit Chuck's blog for contest rules.

Here's the scoop on the prizes to get you interested:

First prize (the grand prize) consists of a query letter critique from Chuck, a follow-up phone call to discuss the query critique, and a plan of action for seeing your work published, along with copies of both the 2009 Guide to Literary Agents and the 2009 Writer's Market (and public praise from Chuck on his blog).

Two runners-up will win their choice of a free copy of either the 2009 Guide to Literary Agents or the 2009 Writer's Market.

Agent Interview on GLA Blog...

Visit the Guide to Literary Agents blog for editor Chuck Sambuchino's interview with Lilly Ghahremani of Full Circle Literary. Ghahremani is interested in children's, YA, or middle-grade books about the middle east, as well as graphic novels.

Chuck does lots of agent interviews and always offers useful advice on all things agent. (And note that the 2009 edition of Guide to Literary Agents is now available--notice how well it coordinates with CWIM.)

Guide to Literary Agents Blog New Agent Alert...

Editor Chuck Sambuchino (who is currently in Austin and had a birthday yesterday--Happy Birthday Chuck!) offers news on new agents whenever he finds it. Check out this recent post by GLA blog contributor Kristen Howe on Eddie Schneider of JABberwocky Literary--he's interested in YA books. (Be sure to bookmark Chuck's blog if you're in the market for an agent. It's chock full of agent-related news including lots of conference info.)

Check Out Chuck's Blog...

Guide to Literary Agents editor Chuck Sambuchino recently posted notes from a conference session he attended with agent Jennifer Laughran of Andrea Brown Literary and author Wendy Lichtman. They offered tips and advice for writing for tweens and teens.

Click here's to check it out.

Agent Info...

If you haven't visited Chuck's Guide to Literary Agents blog in a while, check out his recent post with info on an agent interested in picture books, middle grade and young adult work.

You should also click here and sign up for my monthly CWIM e-newsletter (just promise to ignore all the old info about the 2007 CWIM--I'm a little behind with updating this landing page). The February edition will mail at the end of the week (a late Valentine of sorts from yours truly) and will feature an interview with an brand new children's book agent about her brand new agency (!) as well as a Debut Author of the Month interview, market updates, and other things I feel like talking about. There will be newsletter-related content here on my blog as well.

Agent News I Swiped from Chuck...

If you haven't visited Chuck Sambuchino's Guide to Literary Agents blog lately, you've missed some children's book agents news. I've stolen a few pieces of news from his blog that might interest you. (He said it was OK. I wouldn't borrow from someone's blog without asking. Plus he's my co-worker and I'm his boss, so it's all good.) If you're looking for an agent, I encourage you to bookmark the GLA blog and visit it regularly. Chuck is really on top of things and continually offers useful, up-to-date info.


Stimola Literary Studios, LLC, has a new e-mail and Web site. The new site includes information on submissions, clients, previous sales and everything in between. It will definitely help if you want to submit to them. According to their submission page, they handle nonfiction and fiction, adult and children's, but they do have a big interest in children's work--middle grade, young adult, graphic novels, etc. The new submission e-mail is info@stimolaliterarystudio.com.




Prospect Agency, LLC, has some new agents. Reminder: Newer agencies are golden opportunities for new writers because they're likely building their client list; however, always make sure your work is as perfect as it can be before submitting, and only query agencies that are a great fit for your work. Otherwise, you're just wasting time and postage. Finding one new agent building her client list is a nice treat. But what if you had two at the same agency? That's exactly what's happened at the Prospect Agency. Here's the down-low on these two new(er) agents. Visit the agency's official submissions page!

"Rachel Orr (rko@prospectagency.com) joined Prospect Agency in 2007, after eight rewarding years editing children's books for HarperCollins. She enjoys the challenge of tackling a wide variety of projects—both fiction and nonfiction—particularly picture books, beginning readers, chapter books, middle-grade/YA novels, and works of nonfiction. Rachel is currently taking on new clients."

"Becca Stumpf, (becca@prospectagency.com) junior agent, joined Prospect Agency in 2006 after working as an assistant at Writers House Literary Agency. As a reader, Becca falls hard for sentences that are beautifully crafted, for humor in unexpected places, and for characters that come to life and follow you around for a while. Becca is looking for adult and YA literary and mainstream fiction that surprises. She's also interested in select nonfiction, including narrative nonfiction, journalistic perspectives, fashion, film studies, travel, art, and informed analysis of cultural phenomena. She has a special interest in aging in America and environmental issues. Becca is currently taking on new clients."

Looking for an Agent?...

Visit Chuck Sambuchino's GLA blog to read about budding agent Jennifer Laughran of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency who is looking for clients writing middle grade and YA.

Agent Jessica Regel Interviewed on GLA Blog...

Guide to Literary Agents Editor Chuck Sambuchino recently posted an interview with agent Jessica Regel of the Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency. Jessica agents books for young readers and adults, but the interview focuses on children's books.

(A Non-conference Post) Check out the GLA Blog Today...

Guide to Literary Agents editor Chuck Sambuchino just posted a great interview on his blog with agent Michelle Andelman of Andrea Brown Literary. Check it out.

Chuck's Newsletter on All Things Agent...

Guide to Literary Agents Editor Chuck Sambuchino will kick off his GLA e-newsletter tomorrow. "The purpose of this is newsletter," Chuck says, "is to keep readers updated on news, tips and great resources around the Web, regarding literary agents, screenwriting agents, writers' conferences and writing opportunities in general." To sign up visit the GLA page. If you'd like to see sample, click here. The newsletter will be biweekly.

I'll be launching a CWIM newsletter in the near future myself. Feel free to sign up now, but be patient, friends. Gotta get the 2008 CWIM to the printer first. (And go to BEA.)