Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Query Later

Q. When do you think would be a good time to start sending query letters to agents? I don't know whether to email queries now and risk getting lost in the the "back to work" frenzy, or send them out in a couple of weeks and risk bumping myself out of a possibly (probably) truncated TV staffing season.
I would wait at least a month for the post-strike frenzy to subside. I doubt any agents are reading potential new clients right now. They're trying to get their current clients back to work.

Generally you need to get your stuff to agents three months before you need representation. During staffing season you cannot get an agent, for example. You need to have your agent in place prior to staffing season so she's working on staffing you.

8 comments:

Muffin MacGuffin said...

Does the same one-month rule apply to people I know in the industry? If I know a writer, how early can I start asking them if they know of any openings?

Thanks!

Brian said...

Thanks for answering my question so quickly. I really appreciate it.

Alex Epstein said...

I guess you can pester your writer friends whenever you see them. (Which may not be for a while.)

ronpone said...

Looking for a writer and agent for TV show query, any advice for how to find a good one?
Also anyone know where I could see a TV show query sample? Have seen dozens for books, but not TV.

Thank you,

ronpone said...

forgot to click the follow up box

Alex Epstein said...

Um, could you be more specific? What do you mean, "a writer and an agent"?

ronpone said...

sorry about that...

a writer or website (ie:elancedotcom) to find someone to create the query letter and an agent to sent it to, so they can pitch it.

I could try and fumble thru the query myself, but I want it to be read and taken seriously.

Alex Epstein said...

I've blogged about how to find agents. If you want your query critiqued, see http://www.craftyscreenwriting.com/screenplay.html.