Querying 101 - To E-query or Not to E-query

While trying to decide which agents to query for my outside-the-box protag (Busty Biggs), the question of e-queries spread a dark cloud overhead. I'm not good at filling in forms, and many of the agencies asked for submissions via e-mail form. Ugh!

Forms DO indicate what most interests the agency. BUT forms diminish our ability to control the way we present our manuscript to the agenting world. I dithered over that for a while. It's like a challenge: Here's a little white box, now tell me what makes you and your story any different than all those other word-filled boxes on all those other email queries that I'm slogging through, droopy eyelids and all.

And, if you're targeting one agent in particular, why in the world would anyone ever submit a query to the submissions box of the agency? Well, let me tell you...

Since I'm both a neophyte with equeries and a weenie, I was dubious about agency/internet protocol - Would I be violating modern etiquette by ignoring the agency's wishes and contacting one agent directly? - I finally opted for the more cooperative route. I went to the agency's submissions page and copied the form they wanted me to submit. I printed the form out and chewed my lip, trying to sound exotic-yet-fascinating, co-operative-yet-clever.

First off, they asked "How did you find our site?" Hoorah! From the get-go I knew I had a good hook - Stephanie Kip Rostan (one of their agents) was/is the agent for Stephanie Lehmann, author of THE ART OF UNDRESSING. Although that novel is not a mystery, it does have a prominently featured exotic dancer (retired) and includes frequent mention of sex toys and parties where toys are sold like Tupperware products. (She makes Busty seem prudish by contrast!) And, it's written with a great sense of humor.

Better yet, I had spoken with Stephanie Lehmann while getting her autograph on that book last year, at the Backspace Writer's Conference. She had mentioned having a great agent, whose name I promptly forgot. Luckily, she thanked the agent (Stephanie Kip Rostan) in her acknowledgements.The agency practically invited me to plug my meeting with Stephanie Lehmann, and then state my primary interest in getting through to Stephanie Kip Rostan. Stephanie Lehmann's name was my opening hook. And, I think that paid off.

How do I know? This is what was in the SUBJECT box: "RE: Slush from someone who met Steph Lehmann." SLUSH??? SLUSH??? Okay, so the queries to the agency went straight into a slush pile - now why did that surprise me? But, did you notice the rest of that subject box entry? "...from someone who met Steph Lehmann." STEPH Lehmann. Now THAT told me the hook had sunk in a bit. The note was from Rostan's assistant, Monika, who saved my query from the dreaded slush pile. WHEW! Lived to fight another day.

Since I sent that agency query, I've been advised by folks far wiser than myself that e-queries should be sent to the specific agents. And that's what I'm doing now, as I continue to query other agents - just in case Stephanie Kip Rostan doesn't turn out to be the agent for me. At least that's my plan until something better comes my way!

Any comment and/or advice is welcome!