This query is part of the Be an Agent for a Day contest. Rules and Regulations here
Please post your rejection or manuscript request in the comment section!
Dear Agent for a Day:
When Grandpa Irv dies—only a few months after Gram’s unexpected death—and Aunt Ninian tries to keep Mom from attending the funeral, thirteen-year-old Emily Novak is far from prepared for the aftermath. Emotionally abandoned by her mother and thus reliant on the stability of her father, Emily spends her adolescence hiding behind a camera, unable to stand her ground and take the risks that will enable her to mature. Meanwhile her younger brother Zack, always a curious and independent kid, starts down a reckless path that turns him into a stranger in his family’s eyes.
Struggling before, during, and after college to find the courage to make her own choices rather than those of her parents, Emily observes that her brother’s adventures are bring him a confidence that she envies. Yet Emily is also continually aware of the rising cost of Zack’s decisions… as well as her own. My novel BECOMING EMILY NOVAK is the story of how we sift through our inheritance to disentangle our own truth from what our parents have told us is true, and what that sifting means for the shape of our adulthood.
I think of this novel as an example of the accessible literary fiction you so aptly named on your blog “book club fiction.” It has a sensibility similar to Curtis Sittenfeld’s Prep or Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Namesake, and I would expect a similar audience as well, with some extra niche marketing avenues in the Jewish and queer communities.
I received my MFA in Creative Writing from XXX and have been teaching adult education courses in novel development and memoir at YYY for the past four years. The short story that spawned BECOMING EMILY NOVAK won second place in ZZZ national short story contest, and I have been published in AAA, BBB, and CCC, among others. A complete list of my publications can be found on my website at DDD.com.
You have often repeated, “when in doubt, query me,” and so I have, and I hope you’ll be interested in representing me and this novel. Thank you for your time. Please feel free to contact me by phone, mail, or email. I look forward to hearing from you at your convenience.
Sincerely,
Author
STATS: 7% request rate
Gryph says
Dear Author,
Thank you very much for your query. While I appreciate the time and effort you’ve put into your work, I don’t believe this is a good fit for me.
Please remember that what doesn’t fit one agent may well fit another! I encourage you to not give up. In the future, if you have other manuscripts to query, I hope that you’ll think of me again.
Sincerely,
Agent Gryph
Dorothy says
Dear Author:
Given your credentials I gave this a second and third look. I still cannot commit to representation of your book. Its length is unknown. How it transcends common YA coming of age themes is unclear to me.
I have other agent questions which remain unanswered in your query. What’s the story with Zack? Is it relevant to Emily’s struggle or a distraction that dilutes the focus? And why did Aunt Ninian try to keep Mom away from the funeral. A reader may be teased by these unknowns to buy the book. An agent needs to know the whys and wherefores to do the same.
That’s my take on it. Another agent may feel differently. Clearly your idea has merit.
Sincerely
Honesty Is the Best Policy
Kate H says
Dear Author,
Thank you for your query. I’m afraid I’m not the right agent to represent you, but I wish you the best of luck.
Kate H
Reba says
Dear Author,
Thank you for your query. Unfortunately, it is not the right fit for me.
Best,
Reba
s.koncilja says
Dear Author,
I received and read your query. Unfortunately it is not something that I’m looking for at the moment.
Keep me informed about your future work and good luck!
Agent S.K.
Anonymous says
Dear Author,
I regret to inform you that I am not interested in representing your story. I hope you have better luck in the future.
Best of luck,
Arkham
Nifaerie Noven says
Hi,
Thanks for querying. I’m afraid that I can not represent your work at this time because I could not get a sense of your voice or Emily’s character in your query.
superwench83 says
Dear Author,
Thank you for your submission. Unfortunately, your manuscript isn’t right for me. Best wishes in your search for an agent.
Sincerely,
Agent for a Day
publishingcareer says
Dear Author
Thank you for your interest in our agency and submitting your query for your novel Becoming Emily Novak.
I read it with interest but unfortunately it is not what I am looking for.
Best of luck and kind regards.
Yours faithfully
Robert Sullivan AFAD
SuzieQ Agent4U says
Dear Author,
Thank you for your query. Unfortunately, I don’t feel this is right for me. Good luck with your search.
Best,
S
Melissa says
Form rejection:
Dear Author,
Thank you for your query. Unfortunately it doesn’t meet my needs at this time.
Thank you and best of luck,
Melissa (Ximera)
Dave says
Sorry, but I’m going to have to pass. Don’t give up though!
Dave says
Sorry, but I’m going to have to pass. Don’t give up though!
Rebecca Knight says
Dear Becoming,
Thank you for your query, and for thinking of my agency. Unfortunately, I feel that I’m not the best fit for your project. This industry is highly subjective, so I’m sure others will feel differently. Best of luck to you in all your endeavors.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Knight
Just_Me says
Dear Author,
While I think there is a market for this work and you are well qualified, I feel like I’ve read this story before. Despite discussion with colleagues I am unable to place where I have read this before.
Yet, I remain reluctant.
At this time I am choosing to pass on this manuscript. My hesitation might be something I regret, and I hope it is. I think you’re going to go far.
Sincerely,
Agent
vicariousrising says
Thank you for your submission. I regret that I don’t feel this project isn’t right for me.
I wish you the best in your writing endeavors.
Kendra says
Dear Author,
Thank you for submitting your work. Concidering my current workload, I can only take on projects I feel truly passionate about. While the work shows promise, I didn’t find myself truly drawn to the idea. I have to pass. Good luck in your writing.
Kendra
Hildegarde512 says
Thank you for submitting however [If I were a real agent, a GENTLE FORM REJECTION would exist here].
Jada says
Form rejection.
Reason: The query was fine but it didn’t grab me.
The Spidermonkey says
Thank you for your query, which I have considered carefully. I’m sorry to say I can’t represent you at this time.
Your credentials are impressive, but I’m afraid your story just doesn’t grab me.
This is a subjective opinion of course, and others may see it differently. Good luck!
Anonymous says
Dear Author,
Thank you for considering me. Unfortunately I have to pass. Reason for rejection – personal taste. I liked the title.
Best of Luck!
Agent X-9
Heather says
Dear Author,
Thank you very much for taking the time to query our agency. I have given your project thoughtful consideration; unfortunately, it is not a good fit for us at this time because, although the project is built on an interesting premise, the story does not feel unique or compelling at this time. However, after a revision of your query letter and manuscript, please feel free to resubmit to my attention.
Sincerely,
Heather
abouttothunder says
Dear Author,
Thank you for the opportunity to represent your work. Unfortunately, it isn’t a good fit for me. Since you deserve an agent who will fully support you project, I will have to pass.
I wish you the best of luck in finding representation.
Sincerely,
Agent-for-a-day Sara
Rik says
Thank you for submitting your book – Becoming Emily Novak – for my consideration.
May I say that I enjoyed reading your query, and would be very interested in seeing the first five chapters. If you are still interested in my services, then please send the partial to [email address] as a [preferred format] document or, if you prefer, send the pages to me at [postal address].
Please be aware that this email is not an offer of representation. Please also note that given the volume of work, it might take me a while to consider your submission – if you haven’t heard back from me three weeks after sending me the requested text, feel free to send me a reminder at [email address].
I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.
Agent Rik.
Crystal says
Dear Author,
Thank you for your submission. However, currently, I am sorry to say I must turn down your manuscript. Good luck with other submission endeavors.
Sincerely,
Lit Agent
AgentforDay says
Dear author,
Thank you for your query, but BECOMING EMILY NOVAK is not what I am looking for at this time. I could not give it the necessary attention.
Good luck with your search for representation, and please feel free to submit future endeavors.
Sincerely,
Agent for the Day
Generally, this was a well written query. However, I thought sticking, ’and thus reliant on the stability of her father‘ in the middle of that sentence seemed disjointed.
Plus, I have now asked for a dozen partials or full manuscripts, and I have to be really wowed to ask for any more.
The more tired I become – the more subjective I become.
Leis says
Dear Author,
Thank you for your query. While I think your story has potential, it is not something I feel confident taking on at this time.
Sincerely,
Agent for a Day
KareFree Kennels says
Becoming Emily Novak
Sorry, not for me.
Best of luck,
Sheryl
L.C. Gant says
Dear Author,
Thank you for your submission, but I’m afraid your story isn’t right for me. Good luck in your continued search for literary representation.
Best wishes,
L.C. Gant (Agent for a Day)
(Reasoning: Although the query was well written, the premise didn’t stand out enough for me to want to request more.)
Sarah says
Dear Author # 40,
I regret that I cannot offer representation- and that my other obligations necessitate using this form letter.
Tastes and opinions vary, so I encourage you to query widely. I wish you the best of luck as you continue to pursue publication.
Warmly,
Sarah, Literary Agent for a Day
Reasons:
The query told me about Emily rather than giving me a sense of who she was. Because I didn’t connect with that character, it was hard to be interested in a novel that doesn’t seem to have a very clear conflict.
Hilabeans says
Dear Author –
Thank you for your submission and for reading my blog.
I appreciate the opportunity to consider your work. Regrettably, I don’t feel that I’m the most appropriate agent for this project.
Best wishes,
HHS
Dawn says
Dear Author,
Thank you for contacting Dawn Ink. Unfortunately, BECOMING EMILY NOVAK is not what we’re looking for right now.
Best of luck in finding representation.
Sincerely,
Dawn
Owl Sprite says
Dear Author,
Thank you for sending me your query for “Becoming Emily Novak.” It was one of my finalists for the contest. Unfortunately, I have decided to pass on this one.
Congratulations on your great entry, and best of wishes in your search for (actual) representation,
Owl Sprite
Anonymous says
Dear Author,
Thank you for taking the time to submit your query to me.
At this moment in time, however, I choose to pass on your project. This does not automatically mean your query is not good enough. It simply means that I am not the right agent for this project. This can be for a number of reasons.
If you would like to know why, you can send a reply to this mail. Please change the subject line to: FEEDBACK / BECOMING EMILY NOVAK / YOUR NAME. I will respond to your request within two weeks.
Good luck with finding representation and keep on writing!
Kind regards,
Nicole34
2readornot says
I’m afraid I couldn’t quite connect with your main character. Good luck!
Kathy says
Thank you for your query. I appreciate your thinking of me but I’m going to pass on this project.
Sincerely,
Kathy
Anahita says
Dear Author:
Thanks for sharing your query. Sorry I can’t represent your work. Good luck!
Anahita
GuyStewart/DISCOVERCHURCH says
Dear Author,
Thank you for your query. Notes like this are the hardest for me to write because while you came close, I can ultimately only represent those manuscripts I feel passionately about. Thank you for thinking of me. Good luck in placing this elsewhere.
Sincerely, Guy Stewart
Saint_Fool says
Dear Author,
After reading your query, I would like to request that you e-mail me the first 30 pages of Becoming Emily Novak.
My usual response time is three to four weeks. If you have not heard from me in that time, feel free to e-mail me.
Sincerely
Saint Fool
Enusan says
Thank you for your query. It’s very strong, but this is a case where I simply do not have enough interest in the premise to be able to represent it with the intensity that the story deserves. I’m passing, but suspect that there is an agent out there looking for something just like this.
That Girl says
Dear Author,
Thank you for your query. Unfortunately, I will have to pass at this time.
Best of luck,
That Agent Girl
Anonymous says
Thank you for your submission. Unfortunately, this project is not a good fit for me. I appreciate your time and consideration, and wish you luck in finding representation.
Best,
Agent M
Jenn S. says
Dear Author,
Thank you for your query. It’s not right for me, but please keep me in mind for future submissions.
Regards,
Jenn S.
(Reason: The theme of the book is good, but the query Just didn’t work for me. What’s up with the family drama? On what issues is Emily unable to stand her ground or take risks? Is there a moment in which Emily must make a major choice, or is the whole book about an extremely slow realization of independence?)
R. Markiam says
Dear Author,
Thank you for your query letter and for thinking of me for representation of BECOMING EMILY NOVAK. While your novel sounds intriguing, I’m sorry to say I won’t be able to pursue it further with you. I wish you all the best in securing other representation.
Regards,
R. Markiam
ludwig snarf says
i regret that we cannot help you
MonkBoy says
Thank you for your query submission, but I’m afraid we’re not interested in your material at this time.
Best of luck,
Placebo Publications
Laura Martone says
Dear Author:
Thank you for submitting your query for consideration. I appreciate the time, energy, and passion that it required to complete “Becoming Emily Novak”.
Unfortunately, given the thousands of queries that I receive annually, I can only request a small percentage of manuscripts for possible representation. While I find the subject matter of your novel intriguing, it does not meet my editorial needs at this time.
I am grateful for the opportunity to consider your work and wish you much luck in your future endeavors.
Sincerely,
Laura Martone
Linta says
Dear Author
Thank you for your submission. Unfortunately I’m not the right agent for you. Best of luck in finding your novel a home.
Regards
Agent for a day
[reasoning: a nicely written query, but there was nothing to make this stand out from all the other coming of age stories. Lack of conflict or story arc.]
Livia says
Thank you for your query, but it is not a good fit for me. Best wishes.
Livia