The Agent Wars
/rant on
I’m not querying right now, but something happened on Twitter last night that has my panties in a twist. Not unlike when Colleen Lindsay did #queryfail, the backlash on Michelle Wolfson’s #queryquotes has started.
For those not in the know, #queryfail was a day when agents on Twitter live tweeted their queries. In 140 characters (less the tag), they told aspiring authors what made queries get the dreaded form rejection. Some people got pissy about it and whined and tried to make the agents into the bad guys.
Recently, with #queryquotes, agents have tried to do similar things. A made up example: “I just finished my first novel.” They then say don’t say that because it gives the impression that you just typed “the end” the night before and are querying without any editing or revisions. If the quote isn’t so general, the agents make a point of removing any blatant identifying words (title, character names, etc). The only way to know if it’s your query is if you recognize the wording — no one else needs to know unless you choose to tell.
Yesterday, a best-selling author tried to hijack the #queryquotes tag because he thought it belittled aspiring authors. He went on to talk smack to the agents who participated in it. When those aspiring authors he was standing up for (sic) argued that they LIKED #queryquotes, he went on to insult us, essentially saying that we were only sucking up to agents because we didn’t have one.
I am sick and tired of that attitude. Most of the agents I follow on Twitter do not follow me back. I still read their tweets because *gasp* they teach me things I might not know. They are a wealth of information about a business that I reside on the outskirts of. As for the agents who do follow me back. I actually like them. They are funny; they are nice. They are (heavens forbid) people I wouldn’t mind sitting down for a drink with at a convention sometime. Can I call them friends? Maybe, maybe not.
The point is when it comes time for me to query again, I won’t expect preferential treatment because I follow someone on Twitter or because they follow me (or even because at some point we might have had drinks together). Crazy as it sounds, I look at writing as a business. Yes, in the long run, agents work for the author. But aspiring authors need to remember that agents get job offers from hundreds of people a day. A day. They aren’t going to choose to work for someone who can’t write, can’t follow directions, is unwilling to learn, or is a rude and arrogant jerk.
I can’t speak for anyone else, but I’m going to keep following agents on Twitter, and I’m going to keep learning from them so that hopefully, next time I query, I do it right and several of them want to work for me. As for that bestselling author, I’m a big girl and can make decisions for myself. If I don’t like what agents have to say, I’ll stop following them. Dude, you don’t know me, and I sure don’t want your arrogant ass standing up for me. Thanks.
Long live #queryquotes and bring back #queryfail
/rant off
Posted: February 27th, 2010 under Uncategorized.
Comments
Comment from julie
Time February 27, 2010 at 1:40 pm
I TOLD you, when you’re ready to Twitter, I’ll walk you through it. It’s not as confusing as it seems at first 
Comment from An
Time February 27, 2010 at 2:06 pm
I don’t think any group should be painted with one big brush, for good or for ill. Watching the original queryfail in real time, I was appreciative for the information being giving as a newb who would eventually be sending my own queries; some of that info just isn’t available. I also felt sympathy for anyone finding out in real time, before the agents could even be bothered to send a form letter, that they were rejected. And while most agents were professional and informative, some were getting their snark on.
While the baby shouldn’t be thrown out with the bath water, I bristle whenever someone seems to suggest there should be no response.
Comment from Gareth
Time February 27, 2010 at 3:44 pm
To be honest its something that confuddles the thing out of me. People seem to treat Twitter as a Card list. The I’ll friend you if you friend me attitude.
For me it doesn’t work like that. I follow someone because I like what they have to say. Were I to follow agents, it would be to get good solid advice. Would I care if they followed me? No. It just seems stupid that a number of people don’t seem to have the sense most of us are born with.
Comment from Annarkie
Time February 27, 2010 at 4:32 pm
Great post! I was there during that brawl and one of those that defended the agent and #queryquotes. The so-called “bestselling” author was quick to bash on me and the other authors that appreciate the agent’s tweets. He even went so far in the end as to drop the innuendo that we were sock puppets. Did anyone else catch that?
The sad thing is that I used to follow that author and he seemed like a nice guy. But his immature and rude behavior last night left me apalled. Naturally I unfollowed him.
What was unbelievable was that this guy ended his argument with “I don’t need you!” to the agent, but did not take into consideration that while he may not need an agent, he needs readers, and his asinine attitude likely put off many prospective buyers of his work.
I hope #queryquotes stays and would love to see #queryfail. I heard a lot about that one and am sad to have missed it.
Comment from Angela Addams
Time February 27, 2010 at 5:41 pm
The whole queryfail situation made me a little nervous…not because I was worried about my own writing being ripped apart but because as one professional to another, I thought it was a little too much. I work in a profession that I could take advantage of and tweet some pretty funny stuff for all to see, but I don’t think making people feel bad about themselves is the way to teach valuable lessons.
I do agree that you can learn a lot from agents and what they tweet…as well as what they blog about…but making fun of others just to vent on a public forum is pushing it too far.
P.S. For some reason I can read this post, unlike last weeks! I don’t know why!
Comment from Danni
Time February 27, 2010 at 6:06 pm
Great job today, Sel! I’ve got a Twitter account, but never use it. I’ll have to change that.
Comment from DianeG
Time February 27, 2010 at 8:36 pm
I’m suprised agents have time to “tweet”
It does sound like the supposedly best-selling author was being more than a bit of a twit.
Well worth ignoring, I’d say.
Comment from Michelle
Time February 28, 2010 at 2:28 pm
I don’t use twitter much. I find it hard to believe anyone would find my tweets interesting.
Every now and then, I’ll read what an agent or pub house or other reviewer has to say, but I confess that’s it’s not that often. I’m afraid I’m the same with facebook.
With any tweet or post, it’s all opinion and as long as people handle what they tweet or post professionally, is fine with me.
Comment from Jess
Time March 2, 2010 at 2:01 am
Really reasonable rant. I was always curious when I saw the big huff that was raised at queryfail, when I saw it as just another way (like the blogs I follow) that agents are helping us stuggling aspiring authors out. Agents: good on you.
Comment from Firewolf
Time March 4, 2010 at 10:39 pm
I’m all for agents trying to help us out. It’s too bad that people have to get offended about agents trying to help aspiring authors. Not only do we need to know what to do, we need to know what not to do.
Thanks,
Julie
Comment from Ken
Time February 27, 2010 at 1:20 pm
My name is Ken McDaniel and I approve this message. Seriously, I’m thankful for agents taking the time to provide us insight into the business, and I’m thankful to writers who give back and provide advice to aspiring writers. Whether or not I succeed in this business ultimately depends on my efforts and talent (or lack of). However, I do need to figure this Twitter thing out.