PSA: questions about the query process

I’ve been getting random questions posted on entries over the last couple weeks that aren’t responses to those posts (an online practice that I must admit I find a tad peculiar). In nearly every case, those questions could be answered by reviewing our submission guidelines on the official DMLA site: http://www.maassagency.com/submissions.html

If you have question that isn’t covered there, your best bet is to place a comment on one of the query wars posts which I try to do every Friday. Or wait for me to have time to run the Agent Manners column again. I apologize for not answering these comments individually but currently it seems a more efficient use of my time to answer the query letters that I am regretfully still behind on due to so much travel during the month of August. Thanks for your patience and understanding on those. I know it’s so hard to wait and I really appreciate it.

5 responses to “PSA: questions about the query process

  1. Unrelated comment posts really stand out since they don’t seem to follow any topic. When I get them, I usually have to pause for a moment; one thing that PM’s (through LJ or emails) sometimes is more appropriate medium to ask, but for some, it just seems like a place to interject with the question du jour.

  2. Dear Ms. Manners,
    Why is it that my pasta is too mushy? Is it something to do with the fact that I boil it for an hour in apple juice?
    Signed,
    Clueless in the Kitchen and On the Wrong Blog
    😉

  3. Those pesky non-readers of submission guidelines
    Out of curiosity, and because I know people who work in small presses who occasionally get authors who haven’t read the submission guidelines attempting to come to the office and pester them about whether or not they’ve read their work yet, how do you get people to be professional in those situations? If an author is calling and/or dropping by and spamming your inbox, what is your response? Just a question on the biz.
    Nancy D’Inzillo
    http://www.mightypenediting.com

    • Re: Those pesky non-readers of submission guidelines
      Hi Nancy,
      I am fortunate enough to be insulated from those that might show up unannounced at the physical office. If someone repeatedly breaks protocol, I must admit that I simply stop returning their calls or answering their emails. I am certain that there are people who do it initially because they are unaware and I hope I am kind, or even helpful, in those circumstances. But there are always people who don’t understand that no means no, and I feel my obligation to them ends after the first response.

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