An agent publishes her 10 pet hates

[Ayo Akinfe]

10 PET HATES
Single spaced manuscripts in tiddly or faded type or fancy fonts (always double space)
Lacklustre submission letters with little information
Proposals for fictional novels (what other sort are there?)
Non-consecutive chapters e.g. 1, 13 and 26 (always send the first three; if you’re not confident in them you shouldn’t be sending them out)
Invitations to peruse a manuscript—surely you want your manuscript read with more passion than a mere perusal
Humorous submissions that aren’t funny
String, rusty paperclips, treasury tags, too much Sellotape and the like
Undersize envelopes, unstamped envelopes, international reply coupons
Absence of contact information and undated letters
Submission letters that say your mum loved it

[Wonky]

Sez who? Just wondering where you got this list.

[Kitty Foyle]

Rusty paperclips?

*_*

[Jim T]

I guess I'm safe. My mom hates my book.

[Greg Kosson]

--Query letters that don't cause the agent to "fall in love" instantly

--Manuscripts that don't cause the agent to "fall in love" at all

--Writers who don't cause the agent to "fall in love"

[Amanda Brenner]

If we're going to talk about gripes, I believe the list from the other side would be longer and a lot more relevant.

AB

[Savannah Thorne]

This agent hates international reply coupons? Is she overseas? If so, at least the querant is paying the return postage.

[Robert Brown]

Can I get in on this? I can think of at least twenty--but I don't know about the relevant part.

Yes, the IRC thing would be on the list--especially when you only get one to send an MS back.

Another would be sending unsolicited packages that are over a pound which forces a trip to the post office.

Many, many more if you want to hear from the dark side.

[Rick Walker]

LOL

[Savannah Thorne]

I read one about an agent who had just had a baby daughter. She got a card saying she had to go to the post office to sign for something; presuming it was a gift for the new arrival, she happily tromped down there, only to be presented with....an unsolicited ms. Oh, joy.