Hmm, well, that's food for thought (I love analogies, what does that mean anyway?--no one need answer that because it will probably just make me look dumb).
I probably shouldn't have used all that space to post all ten tips, since it looks like 'Spriggan' found Savage's blog. You probably could have find it all there. Oh well. Get smarter I guess. Sorry, guys.
BUT I really like Savage's scrapper attitude. Sure, Gortcheetsa is right, we are limited to our knowledge of how WE found success, and every situation is different, though THIS is the way Savage found his national agent for his sci-fi books (intended for a broader audience than just LDS genre).
It's definitely different than the way that I've been trying it. I'll tell you that, but maybe that's why I like it...because as far as sci-fi goes, I haven't found success with my query letters...and I do feel like I need to try something different.
The SASE?--well, if you use that to track your rejections, do what you want to do. But if you're sending out simultaneous queries JUST to find out who's interested, and like Eric says there is nothing unethical with doing that, then who cares? The publisher? The agents? You'd think they'd be happy they didn't have to send out all those form letters.
Of course, if they throw the whole thing out without reading it because you don't seem professional enough to send a SASE, that's the only reason I wouldn't want to do it? Does that happen Stacer? It's so cool to have someone on the other end of this who is in the know.
It's funny though that a thing like a SASE would be so controversial. I had no idea.
Stacer, what's your take?--IS IT unethical to send multiple 'queries' (not ms) from a publisher's standpoint?--or do you just have to mention in the query that that's what you're doing?
You don't just talk to one publisher/ agent at these con things, right? I'm sure you have to drop your card everywhere...to find someone?--of course, I don't have any experience there.
My only worry, which I really shouldn't HAVE to worry about (since I can't even get one taker at this point) is what would I do if more than one publisher wants to look at it? Obviously you'd have to tell them, but does that make a difference in the way they view your ms? Has this happened to any of you?
So, Stacer...what are some of the eye catching things that catch your interest with query letters? It's apparent that you like when they follow directions and give you what you ask for, BUT has there ever been a time when you were blown away by a query letter? You probably have to read tons of those things daily. Can you think of any that have stood out? Why? What did they do? It would have to be something good.
Hmm, just my thoughts...too many!