For the past several years (7, 8, who’s counting?), the WNBA’s Query Roulette (QR) program has offered members and non-members a chance to meet with literary agents and get feedback on their query letters and manuscripts. This past June, over 40 beginners and seasoned, published authors alike, met with 1 to as many as 10 pre-selected agents; they had ten minutes with each. Styles varied — some agents red penciled queries line-by-line, while others asked authors to simply talk about their project.
Sessions were not for pitching, but for getting honest, helpful responses from experts.We queried many of you about your preparation before—and experiences after—Query Roulette. Here are a few notes of value.
On Preparing for Query Roulette Beforehand:
Terry Weiss did her research about each agent and agency, ahead of time; that helped her have a “great” experience. She suggested the importance of “preparing a query carefully, and following the rules…Be professional and respectful. Be prepared to talk about your book in one sentence! Leave inspired!” The agents always appreciate enthusiasm like Terry’s, and upon leaving, they noted the collegiate nature of the event.
Suzan Flamm, new to the WNBA, used her lawyer’s training to research how to write a query, and she thought hard about the “main events and emotional high points” in her novel. That evening, she learned what “upmarket” meant and left with new goals and insights.
Nadine L. found the event exciting, but lamented that she didn’t register early enough. So although she worked hard on her manuscript, she wished that she had time to do more. Consequently, Nadine advised “be prepared and register early.”
Experiences During Query Roulette:
Are you here yet? #QueryRoulette with @WNBANYC pic.twitter.com/MJlKDyMfsM
— Gabbie Piraino (@nerdplusdog) June 5, 2018
Patricia Kay Williams chose agents specifically interested in memoir. She said “It’s best to meet face-to-face…rather than emailing a file. Give it a try-you might hit the bulls-eye!”
Catherine Stine, who is published traditionally and self-published in YA, Romance, and Speculative fiction, said that she finds it valuable to leave all her options open. Even the successfully published, “can always benefit from feedback, and you just might save a lot of work with the right agent.” Others shared Catherine’s sentiments as to why they came back for more, even after being agented and published in the past.
As for me, this was my fifth (or sixth, but who’s counting) QR. I attend each year to learn from new agents and get the pulse on what’s happening in the book industry. In 2018 I edited and helped self-publish a relative’s memoir, and although I have a “traditional” publication (booklet and card deck) coming out in September, each of the three agents I met with offered ingredients that will nourish me through the ups and downs of writing: encouragement, inspiration, excellent tips on grammar, and everything in between. And this is all without “pitching.”
Join us next year! You still have several months to think, write, and prepare so that you can get your query letter just right.
You can see a list of last year’s participating agents here.
Sheila Lewis — WNBA-NYC member since 2010, blogger, and co-recording Secretary.Sheila’s recent projects include editing and project managing the memoir: Joe’s Violin: A Survivor Remembers, (Rachen Press, on Amazon), and co-authoring with Andrea Adler, “Spanda Cards for the Entrepreneurial Spirit: Bridging ancient wisdom and business acumen,” (Beyond Words Publishing, due out 9-25-’18). In her spare time, Sheila teaches meditation, coaches writers, and reads too many children’s books].
