To Whom It May Concern
When writing a query letter, how much should one personalize it for the recipient?
I've read that many Agents like it when authors research them first and demonstrate that they aren't simply sending our letters to everyone. A list of clients, a mention of that time they saw them at that thing they went to, goes a long way to ensuring the letter is deliberate. But I have seen other agents and sources indicate that they prefer the author get right to the letter and allow the letter to present the work and concept.
Both arguments make sense. No one wants to waste their time, so knowing that someone has researched them increases the chance that what they are about to pore over is potentially of interest. Conversely, agents get a lot of letters and I imagine that at some point they begin to feel like "Uh-hun, let's get to the good part." Thus having to read through lines of commentary and flattery regarding that agent's clients may at least delay the agent and at worst detract from the rest of the letter.
Many agents will tell you what they prefer but it seems like many more will not. Perhaps that is an indication in itself, but what do you do when you don't know?
Faking it doesn't seem like a good idea as this is a person whom you will have a working relationship with for potentially years. Yet, submitting a Query Letter with less personalization feels like you are selling yourself short. So you keep it polite and to the point. Meanwhile, some other writer has packed their 250-300 words with platitudes and generic praise that reads like an astrology fortune, and you feel pretty good on the high road, until you overhear in Art Class that Becky is going to the movies with the popular kids while you'll be at home eating cake frosting with your fingers.
What was I talking about? Oh, right: what sort of feedback have you heard from your agent interactions? What worked for you? And what didn't work?
I've read that many Agents like it when authors research them first and demonstrate that they aren't simply sending our letters to everyone. A list of clients, a mention of that time they saw them at that thing they went to, goes a long way to ensuring the letter is deliberate. But I have seen other agents and sources indicate that they prefer the author get right to the letter and allow the letter to present the work and concept.
Both arguments make sense. No one wants to waste their time, so knowing that someone has researched them increases the chance that what they are about to pore over is potentially of interest. Conversely, agents get a lot of letters and I imagine that at some point they begin to feel like "Uh-hun, let's get to the good part." Thus having to read through lines of commentary and flattery regarding that agent's clients may at least delay the agent and at worst detract from the rest of the letter.Many agents will tell you what they prefer but it seems like many more will not. Perhaps that is an indication in itself, but what do you do when you don't know?
Faking it doesn't seem like a good idea as this is a person whom you will have a working relationship with for potentially years. Yet, submitting a Query Letter with less personalization feels like you are selling yourself short. So you keep it polite and to the point. Meanwhile, some other writer has packed their 250-300 words with platitudes and generic praise that reads like an astrology fortune, and you feel pretty good on the high road, until you overhear in Art Class that Becky is going to the movies with the popular kids while you'll be at home eating cake frosting with your fingers.
What was I talking about? Oh, right: what sort of feedback have you heard from your agent interactions? What worked for you? And what didn't work?
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