# of queries read this week: 84
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 0
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: N/A


A regular reader of this blog may have noticed there were no query wars last week. That's because I was on vacation. I nearly had to blow dust off the keyboard when I got back. It's just not used to being abandoned that long. On the other hand, I read books from my looming TBR pile, which is probably more accustomed to neglect. I very much enjoyed Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book with its fairytale-like sensibilities. Chelsea Cain's Heartsick was great fun (I've been on a serial killer binge ever since Criminal Minds snagged me). I got to revisit an old favorite, Edgar Rice Burroughs' The Chessmen of Mars, which may be my top pick from that series -- this was especially nice as I so rarely get to re-read books these days. I usually pick a book that I know I won't otherwise have enough free time to read, and this year I hauled myself through The Historian, which I must admit I didn't end up especially fond of, though perhaps it would have helped if all that vampire lore and history were new to me but having read a lot of vampire fiction and non-fiction over the years trumped that.

That vacation is also to blame for the small number of queries read this week. (This translates partially to blaming non-query work, since oddly it still piles up while one is not here to watch it do so.) I've been averaging around 200 a week lately, though my overall average for the last 26 weeks is closer to 155 according to the tracking stats. This still seems much higher than the number from last year and I have crossed the 4000 mark with nearly 500 queries still left in my inbox. Taking time off has pushed me right up against that 4 week response time for queries listed on our website. Since it's exactly the half-way point of the year at 26 weeks of queries, here's a few more stats. Of the 4054 queries read so far this year, 25 have resulted in a request for a partial, and 5 have resulted in requests for fulls. 2 of the 25 partials requested were afterwards upgraded to fulls. I've so far signed up 4 new clients this year; 2 of them are debut authors with no previous credits. The genres they cover include urban fantasy, gothic, paranormal romance, mystery, thriller, and YA.

And now we have a long weekend here in the U.S. -- if you celebrate July 4th, may your grilling weather be grand and your fireworks be bright.

# of queries read this week: 192
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 2
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: fantasy (1), young adult (1)

This week's fun fact:
Angel queries significantly outnumber vampire queries in this week's paranormal and/or urban fantasy pitches.

Dear Authors:

It's often recommended to personalize a query and one of the most frequent methods is to mention a book from the agent's list that you have read and liked, which may lead a person to believe that there's enough similarity in taste for a connection. Or, even more specifically, a book on the agent's list that is close enough in style and type to the novel that is the subject of the query that it would be a good match.

It can be interesting to see what books get chosen. Naturally, the more popular and best-selling the client, the more their name seems to appear. I certainly appreciate hearing that someone has enjoyed one of the books by my clients.

I advise a person to research carefully --

* Be sure the book/author actually is represented by the agent, or there could be egg on your face.

* If the book hasn't been published yet, it might not be a good choice to cite it as there is a reasonable doubt that there has been an opportunity to read it. This has already happened to me this year and made me feel that the person just went to my website and picked the first thing they saw rather than it being a genuine comment. If you do have the opportunity to read something early, for example as an ARC, perhaps a phrase indicating the source of admiration for the book might help.

* If you're comparing the novel in the query to a novel on the agent's list, at least be sure they have something in common. Sometimes these comparisons come across as quite a stretch of the imagination.

Patricia Bray with a perspective on people giving away her books for free on the internet. Oh, she's okay with you loaning a book to a friend to get them hooked, but she does still want to make a living.

Mike Shevdon going on about his agent (hey - that's me!) and editor doing things other than just making the sale happen. Plus he has great news to share over on the Angry Robot site. [Note: Mike is a debut author who queried me as per the submission guidelines with the 5 pages; truly debut, not even a short story credit to be seen.]

Laura Anne Gilman with a few comments on the so-called Secret Push (cousin to the Secret Handshake). Interesting thoughts in post and comments on just getting the book done.

C.E. Murphy has joined the ranks of those ransoming work -- you can pledge and get a new Janx and Daisani story: Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight.

Alison Kent reacting to a comment on a post on RTB about that recent hot-topic of reader entitlement. As she says, there's no crying in reading.

Ken Scholes is having a writing contest to give away ARCs of Canticle, the 2nd book in the Psalms of Isaak. Deadline this Friday 6/19.

I can never resist when my clients cook -- here's Ekaterina Sedia's Crepes recipe and filling recommendations.

Bonus link: Jay Lake on tor.com discussing faith in your writing. "Writers and critics and fans talk a lot about suspension of disbelief, but it seems to me that belief is far more important than disbelief."

# of queries read this week: 241
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 1
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: women's fiction


Dear Authors:

A note from the trenches....

Despite the fact that some of the basics can feel repetitive to me, I was encouraged last week to occasionally revisit them either for new entrants to the query wars or even as reminders.

So, wordcount....

This year's record submission stands at 475,000 words, which would be 1900 pages at the 250 words/page standard. It was the first volume of a series. I think that might be a wee bit on the long side.... This week's record came in at a mere 215,000 words.

Ideally a person would write the story in however many words it takes to tell the story. But with economic considerations which require the art to fit the business, consider lengths from 80,000-120,000 for single title romance (leaving aside category romance which has very specific wordcounts), women's fiction, thrillers, suspense, non-cosy mystery, some YA (upper ranges, not middle grade), settling towards the 100,000 mark if at all possible. Cosy mysteries tend to be shorter with some even as tight as 60,000 words. There's a little room to maneuver here and certainly in science fiction and fantasy lengths may tend to sometimes run longer, but even there 150,000 seems to be the upper range considered comfortable, with indications that 125,000 is really more reasonable, and 100,000 still more ideal. [Special note: more what you'd call guidelines than actual rules. YMMV to some degree.]

Now, often when this topic is raised, someone brings up exceptions. But, as they say, the exception proves the rule. (Hey, I read Anathem last summer and plan to read The Historian this summer, so I know they're out there.) And this will also be something that is unlikely to apply to certain break-out bestsellers or well-established authors that can afford some wiggle room. Evenso, I had a client this year asked to reduce a novel by a significant amount due to the economic necessities of casting off the book (glossary: "casting off" - when the publisher uses arcane equations to determine how many pages the book will be and what cover price they will need to have). Debut authors may find this an even more substantial issue as they have no trackrecord to use as leverage. Longer and longer manuscripts will continue to raise the physical price of the book until price resistance may be too high to attract a sufficient number of buyers. Therefore, in a very competitive market, this could actually come into play in the determination of buying a book.

The other potential issue in a book of great length is the need to keep the attention of your readers and have them return for the next book and the next and the next... It might be suggested that lengths of this sort could indicate the possibility of a narrative that is too padded with scenes that don't adequately develop the story, or, if that's not the case and the author can't find anywhere to tighten the pace up, perhaps something that needs to be split into multiple volumes. (Though in the case of the 475,000 word opus, which would more comfortably be divided into 4 books, one wonders if the sequel is equally hefty and how many books are planned.) Also, consider whether the story begins at the right time -- so many submissions that come through have a sort of "warming up" section while the story finds its way. While establishing certain plot, character, or setting details may be necessary, keep in mind when to start telling the story.

If your work is exceptional, of course, none of these rules will apply. As for me, I would still read the query and the first five pages before I respond as the brilliant story may still snare me, and revisions may be possible. But it might still prove a challenge to many.... So, just something to keep in mind as you type "The End."

Today is the official release day for Jay Lake's Green

She was born in poverty, in a dusty village under the equatorial sun. She does not remember her mother, she does not remember her own name—her earliest clear memory is of the day her father sold her to the tall pale man. In the Court of the Pomegranate Tree, where she was taught the ways of a courtesan…and the skills of an assassin…she was named Emerald, the precious jewel of the Undying Duke’s collection of beauties.

She calls herself Green.

The world she inhabits is one of political power and magic, where Gods meddle in the affairs of mortals. At the center of it is the immortal Duke’s city of Copper Downs, which controls all the trade on the Storm Sea. Green has made many enemies, and some secret friends, and she has become a very dangerous woman indeed.

"Lake (Escapement) makes a shift from steampunk to lush fantasy filled with exotic locales and exquisite descriptions... the story is nicely powered by strong mythic undertones and a fresh take on the relationship between gods and mortals." --Publishers Weekly

# of queries read this week: 205
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 3
genre(s) of partials/manuscripts requested: urban fantasy (1), historical fantasy (1), mystery (1)


I've spent this week celebrating my years as an agent -- as an advocate for my clients -- by giving away books.

Many, many, many of those clients came to me via the initial contact of a query letter. That letter was where my journey with these authors began. Not everyone can afford to go to conferences and meet agents face-to-face. Few can obtain the rare referral. In that respect, queries level the playing field. They present an opportunity.

The query wars belie their name by attempting to clarify, to assist, to improve, to demystify the process. If they are to continue to attempt that pursuit, in what ways have they been most helpful in the past? What kinds of entries are the most illuminating? What new ground could they cover?

Thanks to everyone who commented on the sweet sixteen post and helped me celebrate. Here's to the new stories that will be discovered in the next year....

Friday's book goes to stevenagy -- congratulations! Please contact me at jjackson [at] maassagency [dot] com and let me know which of the books listed you'd like me to send and where to send it.

Thursday's book goes to empress_maeuve -- congratulations! Please contact me at jjackson [at] maassagency [dot] com and let me know which of the books listed you'd like me to send and where to send it.

Still accepting new entries until Friday (that's today), 5 PM EST. Details here. I will post Friday's winner at the end of business today, either right before or right after query wars.

Wednesday's book goes to rsdevin -- congratulations! Please contact me at jjackson [at] maassagency [dot] com and let me know which of the books listed you'd like me to send and where to send it.

Still accepting new entries until Friday, 5 PM EST. Details here.

Tuesday's book goes to ruford42 -- congratulations! Please contact me at jjackson [at] maassagency [dot] com and let me know which of the books listed you'd like me to send and where to send it.

Still accepting new entries until Friday, 5 PM EST. Details here.

Today is the offiical release day for....

The mass market edition of Elizabeth Bear's Ink and Steel: A Novel of the Promethean Age.

"[A] sensitive and sensual look at the two supreme playwrights of the English Renaissance.” --Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Bear takes a period that is famously a maze of intrigue and treachery, adds more of each to the mix, and comes up with a fine story that even a mere mortal may follow. Her take on the apparent inconsistencies in the lives of  Marlowe and Shakespeare is certainly no less far-fetched than some that purport to be scholarly. A damn fine reimagining of history and legend." --Booklist


* * *
Also, the graphic novel edition of Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files: Storm Front (Volume 1) is on sale today. Adapted by Mark Powers. Illustrated by Ardian Syaf.

BONUS: Includes Jim Butcher's short story "Restoration" now in comics form.

Alternately, this new graphic novel is also available in an exclusive limited edition through the Random House Signed Editions Program. This edition is a first printing of the first edition of the book, signed by Jim Butcher, and comes with a letter authenticating the purchase. Check it out here!

Congratulations to yesterday's winner -- peanut13171! Please contact me at jjackson [at] maassagency [dot] com and let me know which of the books listed you'd like me to send and where to send it.

It's a pleasure reading through these comments and hearing about my authors and their books. Keep 'em coming! New entries will be added to the ongoing drawing and I'll pick another winner each day this week.

Details here.

In other news, this is also mizkit's birthday -- go here to wish her a happy one.

Also, the first three books in her Walker Papers series are now available in mass market, officially starting today:

Book 1: Urban Shaman
Book 2: Thunderbird Falls
Book 3: Coyote Dreams
Book 4: Walking Dead (coming this September)

Seattle police mechanic Joanne Walker has no use for the mystical, but it has a use for her. When a near-death experience awakens shamanic magic within her, she finds herself up against old Celtic gods and a murderer whose magic is greater than her own....

Read the first chapter of Book 1....

We could call this a surprise party because it sure surprises me to realize it: Today I've been an agent for 16 years! So virtual cupcakes all around. With some balloons and streamers thrown in.



In celebration... I will be giving away one ARC or book per day this week in a random drawing. All you have to do to enter is to comment on this entry (between now and Friday, 5pm EST) and tell me, in 20 words or more, about a book by one of my clients that you've read and whether you liked it or (fate forfend) not, and why. One entry per person, please. For a list of clients you can look at the sidebar of http://www.jenniferjackson.org/

Please be sure to leave your name in your comment if you are commenting anonymously, so I can announce the winner and get contact information.

Available ARCs/books:

Donna Ball, A Year on Ladybug Farm (trade edition)
Elizabeth Bear, Blood and Iron / Whiskey and Water (set of 2 paperbacks)
Anne Bishop, The Black Jewels Trilogy (omnibus trade edition)
Amanda Downum, The Drowning City (ARC)
Laura Anne Gilman, Flesh and Fire (ARC) - Tuesday winner: ruford42
Alison Kent, No Limits (paperback) - Thursday winner: empress_maeuve
Chris Knopf, Hard Stop (hardcover)
Jay Lake, Green (ARC) - Monday winner: peanut13171
Cherie Priest, Fathom (hardcover)
Laura E. Reeve, Peacekeeper (paperback)
Ken Scholes, Lamentation (hardcover)
Ekaterina Sedia, The Alchemy Of Stone (trade paperback)
Loreth Anne White, Manhunter (paperback)


FAQ:

#1 : Yes, as it happens, I was quite precocious and was an agent prodigy at a young age, say 12 or so.

#2 : Yes, I will mail the prizes internationally. Anyone is welcome to enter.

#3 : Yes, one prize per person.

#4 : Yes, if your comment has excessive spoilers, it will be screened. But it will still count as an entry.

#5 : Yes, I will add to this FAQ list if you have another question about the contest.

# of queries read this week: 57
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 0
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: N/A


No, that's not an error. I really did only manage to read that many queries this week. Not counting the week I was away for the London Book Fair (during which I read no queries at all), this week is now this year's lowest for the number of queries read and responded to. And the incoming pace didn't slow in the slightest (it might even have gone up again over the last couple weeks, I think). I had been gaining on response times but this week wiped that out.

This incredibly busy week also means I haven't had much time to think about an idea for a query wars entry. But, after last week's post about the first five pages and Agent Kristin's post last night about "the number one thing" opening pages lacked at the workshop she did at the Backspace conference (preceding BEA), I wanted to say this:

What do I think is the purpose of the first five pages?

To get me to want to read page six (and hopefully 7, 8, 9, etc.).

They don't need to be perfect. In fact, watch out for over-editing because that can make them seem stale. They do need to be exceptional.

These pages don't need to have bombs going off or start with a big action scene. Though starting in media res can be helpful -- watch out for backstory that can bog down your opening. Someone recently repeated to me this advice: "Start the story as late as you can."

Obviously, the whole story is greater than the sum of its parts. I'm not expecting to know everything about the book in just five pages. That's not why I'm reading them. I'm looking for a sense of things. The writer's style or voice, perhaps. A compelling character. A strong plot hook or concept. A taste that makes me want more.

All they have to do is get me to turn the page (or hit page-down in my email) and want more when there isn't any more.

Pick up the nearest novel you have at hand and read the first page. What makes you want to keep reading? Or what makes you want to skip it for something else?

Bidding is still open for Brenda Novak's Auction to raise money for Diabetes Research. But tomorrow is the ending date.

I am offering a critique of a fiction proposal -- first three chapters (up to 50 pages) of your unpublished manuscript, plus synopsis (up to 5 pages). The official listing is here.

* Amanda Downum's first chapter of her debut novel, The Drowning City (The Necromancer Chronicles), is now available on her website. The book will be available August 25th.

* In other online reads, Sharon Lee notes that Baen has posted the first nine chapters of Fledgling, the new Liaden novel.

* Elizabeth Bear discusses what her job is not. Interesting comment threads on this one too.

* C.E. Murphy reports: If both her Brenda Novak auction items (a gift basket and a Tuckerization (your name as a character)) go over $100 by the end of the auction on Sunday, she will do a special give-away on her blog.

As an aside, you can still bid on the proposal critique I'm offering, too.

# of queries read this week: 158
# of partials/manuscripts requested: 0
genre of partials/manuscripts requested: n/a


It seems like every week someone responds to a rejection by arguing that if I only read their book, I would see I was making the wrong decision. Frequently, it seems this person has not taken advantage of the fact that our submission guidelines allow for the first five pages to be sent with the query (note: pasted into the email, no attachments). But on the occasion that they have, their contention seems to fall into either "five pages isn't enough" or "those aren't the best five pages."

I'm a reader. I was a reader long before I was an agent. So please believe me when I say that it's one of my favorite aspects of being an agent. However, there are only so many hours in the day and, though it pains me greatly, many of them are taken up by other unavoidable tasks. This year I've already responded to over 3200 queries. Naturally, I couldn't ask for a submission on each and every one. I'd have to read around 35 books per business day, and not just casually but with a critical eye. And that doesn't even include manuscripts from clients I already have. How many books do you read a day? A week? I'm sure some of you will make me envious if you answer that question....

It might not actually feel like five pages are enough to make an assessment. But isn't that the same thing that happens with readers/consumers? They walk into the bookstore, pick up the book and read the back-cover which has a pitch (like a query has) and then flip it open and read the first couple pages to decide if they want to take it home.

As for the five pages... A couple things go through my mind when I get a query that doesn't include the five pages. First, that the submitter didn't take even a few minutes to see if they could find out anything more about me or the agency. Both our official site and my own site mention the query letter, synopsis and first five pages guideline. I find it particularly peculiar when they mention reading the website (or this blog), but still don't include the five pages. Then I wonder if possibly they just aren't that confident about the five pages and think it will be a detriment to getting a request. Of course, since I would end up reading those first five pages if that were the case, that theory doesn't seem to hold water. I'm stumped. Since so many writers seem to be campaigning to be able to submit more materials to hook the agents, I just can't figure out why someone wouldn't take advantage of it. What do you think?

Happy long weekend. May you read something good!

* Alison Kent has a thought-provoking article over on Genreality about learning to let go of manuscripts that won't sell, and when she can't. How *do* you know when it's time to tell a beloved project goodbye?

* Over at Random Fresh Ink, Shannon wants someone to explain the Twilight phenomena to her. I saw the movie on the flight en route home from the London Book Fair and have still to figure out how to articulate my thoughts on it. Of course, I was also jet-lagged and I'm not sure if that helped or hindered it. Meanwhile, Kameron Hurley reviews Last King of Scotland (which I saw some time back and also recommend). In other movie news, suricattus weighs in on the new Star Trek (and, no, I still haven't seen it). Me? This weekend I got to see Arsenic and Old Lace again (which reminded me that watching this as a child probably contributed to my interest in crime fiction, serial killers, profiling, etc.)

* Donna Ball reports that it's strawberry season and she is making strawberry pie. Readers of her Ladybug Farm books may find this makes their mouths water... Can't wait for strawberry season to get started here. Last year I made Strawberry Champagne Jam so I could enjoy that summer flavor all year 'round.

* C.E. Murphy has created an Ireland 2010 calendar with photos from her own collection.

* New Shadow Unit!