Phrasing a First Impression

When you’re submitting a query to an agent or a publisher, you already know that making a good first impression is key.

Remember that agents represent and publishers publish. It’s in your best interest to request a result appropriate to the venue you’re querying. It sounds obvious, but as a submissions editor I receive a lot of queries “seeking representation” or “requesting review.”

I don’t represent novels, and… review? Does that mean you want me to look it over, or that you want me to write a review?

A “Dear Submissions Editor” will make a better impression than an incorrect name or gender address. A “Dear Sir” query won’t automatically send someone’s letter to my trash folder, but it’ll definitely set me on edge. Especially if it’s from someone who got my submissions address from some avenue where they could have, with one extra click, easily determined my name and/or gender (and learned that I’m not a sir!).

Even worse, a letter addressed to another editor at another publisher, showing me that an author is sending out a big batch of submissions and forgetting to update the name field on the form letter.

I’ve never rejected a submission just for these things — the queries that show this degree of inattention to detail usually have other problems as well — but it makes a poor impression and it’s a simple matter to check for it before you send out your letter.

The tone you set when you ask someone to look at your manuscript is just as important as a proper, businesslike address and a request for the appropriate sort of result.

Remember that you’re submitting to people who see lots and lots of potential books cross their desks. With the current state of our market and publishers feeling the strain of the economy, it’s a good bet that they’re not hurting for potential books.

Especially if your manuscript is unsolicited, you’re asking the favor of a very busy person’s time and attention; they’re not asking for the favor of publishing your book. It’s important to keep in mind, and it’s important to reflect it in your tone.

Compare “I am seeking a publisher for my novel” with “I would like to submit my novel for consideration.”

The former makes it sound like you’re auditioning publishing houses, testing them to see if they’ll be an adequate fit for your needs. Perhaps you’ll do them a favor and let them have a glimpse of your genius. You’re seeking a publisher? Good for you. Hope you find one.

Apply some humility and try the second approach. You’re requesting a few minutes of a busy person’s time. By asking them to consider you, you show a much more polite acknowledgment of that time than if you inform them that you’re considering them. Unless you have multiple offers pouring in, the decision isn’t yours to make. It’s theirs.

That’s not to say you should bow and scrape, either. Melodrama usually won’t make a favorable impression. Just remember which way the power dynamic is flowing, and be respectful in your request for a publisher or an agent’s time.