Heather writes, “I realize that many agents use portable electronic devices to review manuscripts they are considering. Is there any benefit for an author seeking representation to offer their manuscript in formats compatible with these devices? I recently discovered how to use Palm Markup Language to format my manuscript for ereader (.pdb file), so I can keep it on my palm pilot. Is it worth mentioning to an agent that this format is available if they prefer or does that seem geeky and/or overly ingratiating? I’m technologically inclined, so I could probably learn to convert my manuscript into any desired format.”
For the moment, at least. I have read and responded to any and all queries I’ve received as of 3:20 Mountain Time today. If you sent me something and haven’t received a response, please check your spam filter before following up, and be sure your email address accepts messages sent via gmail. Now onto my partials, where I’m working my way through — let’s see — 37 partials and 4 fulls.
Rose shoes for Susan, who writes, “I’m trying to find an agent to represent my memoir about my time in China, specifically when I was married to a man from rural, central China. My query letter seems to be working: I’ve had half a dozen requests for my proposal or sample chapters after sending out only 20 letters. Of those requests, I’ve already received three rejections. Some agents think I need to broaden the scope of my readership and that a memoir about failed marriage to a guy from a completely different world won’t sell. One suggested that I pitch it as a look into Chinese culture from the perspective of an American woman who becomes part of a Chinese family. Do you have any thoughts about that? Would a women-focused memoir sell? Or should I open it up to entice men to read it, too?”
Like many agents, I regularly get email links to sites that mention my authors, my agency, or myself. Today I found this nice mention of SAVING ZOE by Alyson Noel, from author Amanda Ashby, and this review of DEVILISH by Maureen Johnson from Trashionista. But I also love to follow the references and see where they lead, hoping to find something great to post about.
Today, Bill writes, “Have you ever heard of an author finding a publisher or agent by posting on the Publishers Marketplace right board? Do you ever search them or glance at them? I’m trying to decide if that’s worth doing.”
