SASE

[Mike]

I attended a forum with writers, agents and publishers on the panel in NY and someone said not to include a SASE with query letters to agents because if one is interested enough, he/she will contact the author with or without it, but if they're not, why would we need to spend an extra 34 cents to receive a rejection letter? And they suggested that publishers consider a SASE the mark of an amateur. Anyone else ever hear this? I've also noticed that some agents don't even bother to respond to e-mailed query letters at all either way. Has anyone else noticed this?

[Bailey]

I queried six agents by e-mail. I was politely turned down by three, haven't heard from one and asked by two for some chapters of my manuscript. However, I only queried the agents that said they would take an e-mail query.
Hope this helps..Bailey

[Bailey]

I queried six agents by e-mail. I was politely turned down by three, haven't heard from one and asked by two for some chapters of my manuscript. However, I only queried the agents that said they would take an e-mail query.
Hope this helps..Bailey

[I Am a Great Writer]

It's true that you need to hear back only from that agent who is going to represent you.

But reading all the rejections can be interesting. You can have a good laugh at how buffoonish, unprofessional, and ungrammatical a lot of agents can be.

Most agents are just plain DUMB--that's why they fall in love with genre books. Reading the rejection letters is a good way to enjoy the weeding out of such agents.

If you are one of the few writers worth talking about--that is, if you are one of the handful alive today, including me, who are operating on the genius-level on every page--then most agents will be inappropriate for you. Writers like me deal ONLY with those agents and editors who can recognize greatness.

[Gary Kessler]

Mike: As with your query above on publishers accepting unagented submissions, the annual reference guides to agents and publishers and submission guideline sections on websites will tell you whether specific agents and publishers want you to include SASEs with your submissions. The general guidance you received on this from the NY panel discussion doesn't really mean squat--you will be querying specific agents/publishers, and they usually give clear guidance on how they want you to submit to them. Find it and follow it.

[Jeff]

The first request I had for an entire manuscript came in a SASE enclosed with a query.

[Bob Kellogg]

I only found out a few days ago that the postal rates are going up on June 1. Where was I? That means if you send an SASE, put 37 cents postage on it (unless for some reason you think they'll reply before then. Doubtful.)

Of course you should include an SASE if the agent specifies it.

Here's some Bardish wisdom I think is appropriate for this thread:

"The fool doth think he is wise,
but the wise man knows himself to be a fool."
...Wm. Shakespeare, "As You Like It", 5:1

Bob K.

[Pauline M. Grocki]

I, too, queried 8 agents by e-mail and received one request for the complete mss. from a Laura Gross in Newton, MA, but I can't find out anything about her except a brief paragraph in LMP. I've asked on the net but no one seems to know anything aboput the laura Gross Agency. I'm curious to know if she's the agent who asked you for your mss. According to LMP she does not charge a reading fee but I'm wary of spending the money on printing and mailing only to get back one of those replies saying "Great potential but first you need to send me 6 billion dollars to edit this crap"
BTW I did get one answer that I know is legit for 3 chaps and a synopsis which I'm working on. Thanks, Pauline

[Gary Kessler]

Pauline: It sounds like you've put the cart before the horse. It's far more productive and cost effective if you know what you need to know about the agent before you send a query letter to them.

[Gil]

I always wonder about agents who request the whole manuscript after receiving a query letter rather than just a few chapters. Seems like they could save us some money by looking first at sample chapters, which should give them an idea if they want to pursue a project any further. Would save both money and trees.