Tuesday, April 20, 2010

The End Of The Introduction

When WEbook first came on the scene, it was touted as a free service for authors in search of literary agents. Turns out it was only an introduction. The party is officially over.

The service does the submitting for you, and all you need do is compose a query letter and select from WEbook's list of cooperating agents. It's nothing that you couldn't do on your own, of course.

The search function at AgentQuery.com couldn't be simpler. You want an agent who represents historical fiction? Click on the check box and you'll get a list that you can filter to eliminate those agents who are closed to new queries. It's completely free.

Need a place to keep tabs on your submissions? Both Querytracker.net and AuthorAdvance offer free services, although Querytracker has some premium features that require a paying membership. You sign up for an account on either site, log in your submissions and then tabulate the results. You can even view statistics to let you know how many queries have garnered interest, what the agent is looking for, and it won't cost you a thing.

Or you can shell out $39.95 for a six month run at WEbook.

What's the benefit?

There are plenty of forums around that will help you whip your query letter into shape. You can create your own list of targeted agents and you can send your own e-mail submissions.

The only thing you won't get is the little memo in your WEbook submission screen that tells you if the agent has opened your submission or not.

A lot of money to pay for discovering what you've long suspected when literary agents don't get back to you with a rejection or an acknowledgement or anything.

How can WEbook offer their services for free, authors were asking. Turns out that they can't and as of the beginning of May, they won't.

Save your money. Do it yourself.

4 comments:

Aeneas said...

After reading about this site on your blog, I opened an account which I promptly failed to visit, or fill out the profile, etc. I was very un-motivated.

Another disappointment I could do without.

Sooner or later, you will get what you need. I have confidence. :)

O hAnnrachainn said...

The WEbook thing was entertaining but I can't see how they'll attract a large, paying clientele when authors don't have a dime to spare. Convenience costs money and we've learned to live without all the luxuries in life.

I need a cup of coffee right now, and that's something I definitely can get. And will.

Aeneas said...

When you ask for money in this business, it's like a scam.

O hAnnrachainn said...

For some reason, I picture rich people who want to climb Everest so they hire a Sherpa to carry them up. Sure they could do it themselves if they put in the effort, but if you can pay someone else to do it for you, why strain yourself?