Head-Scratcher

[Elaine Margarett]

Um, gee. I thought I WAS doing my research. lol Looked at LMP, Writers' Marketplace as well as doing a name search over the internet. Just looking for some personal feedback, you know...networking.

Great site BTW.

EM

[Gary Kessler]

Elaine: As, I said in at the beginning of my posting, my posting wasn't directed at anyone specifically--I didn't even read today's postings before putting mine up. Trust, though, that you do now know (assuming you hadn't already done that) that a check of agent names with such watchdog sites as Writer Beware and Preditors & Editors would best be done before you put these agents' names on "to query" lists. Again, where I scratch my head is on posters who ask the questions on this board after having queried rather than before--I mean, if they know enough to come here and ask us what we think away, why don't they know enough to do that earlier rather than later? One answer, of course, is that they don't learn about WritersNet earlier, but it seems there's a whole lot of people jumping the gun because more come here with the basic questions late in the game rather than early.

[Ralph Van Doren]

This also makes me wonder about their writing. If they are reluctant to do their own advance work, and properly formatting and submitting a manuscript takes time and care, then how much work are they investing in the writing itself? Seems like such deluded creatures are setting themselves up to fail.

[Mary M.]

This has been an interesting discussion about a topic I have often pondered when reading posts concerning the agent search. While I'm no longer surprised to find writers looking for miracle answers here, I'm still disappointed to know writers expect other writers -- well, to do their work. Researching agents is as much a part of a writing project as is researching facts. Thanks, Gary, for bringing the subject up for discussion here.

[Hamish (WritersNet)]

The FAQ page is coming, I promise.

I have been very busy with the billable work that makes WritersNet possible and keeps it free. You will understand that the stuff that pays the bills has to come first.

Having said that, I am compiling questions and answers as I follow discussion and will get something up as soon as humanly possible. Better to do a halfway decent job rather than put something inadequate and rushed up in my opinion.

Hamish
WritersNet

[Lisel]

Gary, I've noticed the same thing. I suspect that most of the people who post these questions after the query has gone out are so new to the whole agent/publishing game that they jumped in the water before they were ready. We get their questions when they've looked around just a little and realize there are sharks out there.

I love FrankieB's comment. Mass submissions are making it harder for all of us. Just recently I heard of someone who sent out 50 mystery queries on one day. Another sent her mystery query to every agent on the AAR list! Aargh.

In fact, I recently had a request for my manuscript but the agent qualified her request very politely - only if the manuscript hasn't been seen by editors or widely distributed to agents. Can't say I blame her.

Lisel

[Allycat]

I agree with Elaine - it's networking. You query an agent, they are interested, so you want to know - "hey, has anyone had any experiences that they could share?" There probably are those who don't wish to do the work themselves, but experience is the best teacher. This is a great place, because we can all learn from the experiences of others

[Aspire]

Hamish:

I have decided - after living on this planet for 35+ years - that I really like the name Hamish a lot better than my given name. In fact, I'm considering changing my name to Hamish. If I were to do that, does this mean I would have to choose another name - other than Hamish - as my posting name on this site? Your answer will be factored into my decision.

[Pat Cooper]

Gary:

Thanks for posting a question that has perplexed me for some time.

The other thing that puzzles me almost daily when I log on to WritersNet, is why so many new posters never work through previous threads to see if anyone else has asked the same question they are posting.

patC

[A.S. King]

I can only speak for myself here, but I think that people make mistakes sometimes. I mean, of the many agents I've queried, only one of them has ended up a bad apple. (Well, two, if you count the one I queried way back before the internet was around or I had any sense in my head at all. ALthough, I had enough sense to balk at a reading fee on that occasion and have never paid anyone a penny.)I know for myself, I spend most of my time writing and writing well. Just becasue I might make a mistake doesn't mean that all my hard work is reflected by that mistake.

Sites like Writers net are invaluable. But some people don't use them until it's too late. Then they post their problem on the board - often times to receive a bunch of witty unsympathetic letters in return.

People do make mistakes, in fact, I bet everyone makes mistakes sometimes. I don't think they have to be stupid or dim to do so. I don't think it always means they don't do proper research either. I think it's just one of those unfortunate things that happens.
I also don't think people come here and post letters because they only want answers. I think that people come to Writers net to be able to vent what they're feeling and experiencing to other writers.
That's what makes a site like Writers net so special - it's a research tool, a place to find advice, AND a place to be with other writers.