Queries Again

I guess I am on a roll with query writing this week. Well, here goes another one.

As I stated yesterday, I have had a huge number of authors submitting YA's (yes this was before I closed the submissions... stay with me on this one). In the majority of the cases, the stories were rejected almost immediately simply because the author did not pay attention to what I am acquiring.

If a writer reviews the style of YA that I accept, he or she will notice that it has to fit the Harlequin Teen line. Nothing else. Let me explain by first showing what the specific guidelines are from the Harlequin site:


Length: 50,000–100,000 words
Senior Editor: Natashya Wilson
Editorial Office: New York

Harlequin Teen is…
Fresh, authentic teen fiction featuring extraordinary characters and extraordinary stories set in contemporary, paranormal, fantasy, science-fiction and historical worlds.

We’re looking for commercial, high-concept stories that capture the teen experience and will speak to readers with power and authenticity. All subgenres are welcome, so long as the book delivers a relevant reading experience that will resonate long after the book’s covers are closed. We expect that many of our stories will include a compelling romantic element.

Harlequin Teen is a single-title program dedicated to building authors and publishing unique, memorable young-adult fiction. Stories with the unforgettable romance, characters and atmosphere of Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight saga, the witty humor of Meg Cabot’s Princess Diaries novels, the edgy emotion of Jay Asher’s Th1rteen Reasons Why, the thrilling danger of Suzanne Collins’s Hunger Games, the futuristic world-building of Scott Westerfeld’s Uglies, and the power of Marcus Zusak’s The Book Thief are examples of the range and depth of projects that we’re seeking.

Now I post this for one reason. These stories state in two places that there will be a "compelling romantic element." Sending me any story about simply teens is not going to cut it. Sending me picture books and children's book isn't going to work either.

In this case, this is really one of those times when an author needs to do his or her homework. First. to make sure you fully understand and have read the stories the publisher is putting out there. And secondly, make sure that you are meeting the needs of the agent and following their guidelines.

Scott

Targeting Your Work To Publishers - An Agent's Perspective

When I read submissions that come across my desk, along with deciding if the project is something I am interested in, or if the writer is someone that I would want to work with, I also think about product placement. As a writer, it is also important that you begin to think about your work and decide where you really see that writing going. I've talked about this before, but I want to give you the view I see from my side.

When I send projects to editors, they know that the project is really something that is designed for them. I am not an agent that sends out projects to every editor out there. There are several reasons for this one.

First of all, there really is no reason to send it to a publisher that I already know the story is not right for. As we have talked, the voice of each publisher is unique and if your story isn't that voice, it is a certainty we will be seeing a rejection. Just the process of having the editor take the time to read a project and then write the rejection letter back to me is a "time suck."

Second of all, there is an issue of reputation. As an agent, I believe it is important to have editors know that I will only send them projects that I believe fit. When they see a Greyhaus Literary Agency submission, they will know the project is targeting their house for a reason.

Now what does this have to do with you as a writer. If you sign with Greyhaus (or any other agent) and they see your writing fitting at a particular house, you should listen. Sure, in your head you might see something else but they are the expert on this one. They are the ones talking to the editors to hear what they are looking for.

I should also add that for some writers, this is the reason they receive a lot of rejection letters. Their stories may be too focused and simply fit only at one house. Writing category romances is a great example of this. Your story fits there and only there. If you as a writer know that your writing is that focused, it should make you take extra care to make sure your writing fits that line perfectly.

Have a great weekend!

Scott