Please Note: WordServe Literary is closed to queries from December 15 to January 14. Please do not submit during this time. We re-open to queries on January 15. Thanks!
Submission Policy
We value those who have taken the time to open this link and read our policies on queries. We can assure you that we read and consider each query sent.
Due to the high volume of queries and submissions, we have altered some of our submission guidelines. When you send a query according to the guidelines below, you will receive an automatic response, within 3 to 4 days, saying that we received your query. If your project is something we’d like to see more of, we will be in contact within 60 days. If you do not hear from us within 60 days, please assume we won’t be able to help. (If you don’t receive an auto-reply, you may send your query again.)
We try to respond to all queries, but we’ve put this system in place so that you do not have to wait indefinitely for an answer. While we aren’t happy about not being able to respond to every single query (in fact, it pains us terribly), the sheer volume of submissions has overwhelmed us.
Please address queries to: admin@wordserveliterary.com. In the subject line, include the word QUERY.
All queries should include the following three elements:
1. A pitch for the book;
2. Information about you and your platform (for nonfiction) or writing background (for fiction);
3. The first 5 (or so) pages of the manuscript pasted into the email.
All information must be in the email, as we do NOT open attachments and we do NOT click on links. (Attachments and links are only for when we've requested more information from you.)
HOW TO SUBMIT
· With FICTION, you must have a completed manuscript before contacting us, unless you are a multi-published novelist (this does not include self published).
· With NON-FICTION, you can query when you have a completed book proposal and three sample chapters.
· The query letter is a short pitch (equivalent to one page, about three to six paragraphs).
· For NON-FICTION, include the felt need, your approach and main ideas, your expertise, and how much material you can send if we request it. Make sure you tell us a little about yourself, enough to let us know why YOU are the person to write this book.
· For FICTION, don't give a synopsis of the whole book—just tell us enough to make us jump out of our seats and yell "I must read this book!" Also, include some information about yourself, your writing and publishing background, and what you've already done to ensure your work is of publishable quality.
· Important: Please also include the first five to ten (or so) pages of your manuscript pasted in to the body of the email. Don’t include any attachments to the email—we won't open them. Please also refrain from asking us to click on a link to find out more. If you have a link to your website in your signature line, and we are interested in your query, we might click on it.
· Please remember this is your first writing sample and it may be your only chance to WOW us... so write your query accordingly. There are numerous books, websites, and blogs on how to write great queries.
· We respond to queries by either no response, or by requesting a proposal and sample chapters (known as a PARTIAL). We will let you know if we want you to send it via email or snail mail. With all correspondence, make sure your email address and phone number are clearly visible!
· RESPONSE TIME FOR REQUESTED PARTIALS: Allow three months for a response before following up.
· We DO accept simultaneous submissions and we ask that you notify us if you are simultaneously submitting to multiple agents.
• For a detailed listing of the kinds of books Rachelle is looking for please click HERE.
GUIDELINES & PROTOCOL
· Our policy is to read all queries that are properly addressed and follow the submission guidelines. We may delete a query without responding in the following circumstances: If it is not addressed to us personally, if it is clearly a mass submission, or if it simply contains a synopsis with no salutation and without the other elements we ask for in a query.
· The only way to guarantee your email doesn't get caught in our spam filter is to make sure your subject line includes the word "query."
· If you don't get an email acknowledgment within 3 or 4 days, it means we didn't get your query. Resend using a slightly different subject line, or from a different email address. Still no response? You may query by snail mail.
· Please DO NOT CALL unless: (1) You are a client of WordServe; (2) You are already personally acquainted with Greg or Rachelle; or (3) You are a multi-published author (with a commercial, widely distributed, royalty-paying publisher) seeking new representation.
· Always make sure your e-mail address and phone number are clearly visible no matter what you are sending.
· If you send something in the mail, we don't require a stamped #10 envelope. Your email address will suffice. Only include an SASE if you want your entire submission returned, and in that case, be sure your envelope is big enough and you include enough postage.
· When you send your proposal or manuscript in response to a request from us, please include a dated cover letter, reminding us of your project and the email correspondence we've already had.
· When you send email attachments in response to our request, please consolidate into ONE attachment, or two at the most. Don't have separate chapters in separate files.
· If we have not responded to your query, and you have an offer of representation from another agent, it is courteous to send us an email letting us know of your offer and giving us the opportunity to respond before you make your final decision. It’s okay to ask us for a response date, e.g. “I hope to make a decision by June 20th so I would appreciate hearing from you before then.”
