So I have used Agent in the Box to contact 26 Agents. The process was pretty simple and you can save your progress at any time and come back to it when you have more time or have things more ready (i.e. you could log to work on your query letter).
First you enter basic details about your manuscript such as your name, title of the book, word count, short synopsis and genre 1 and 2.
The genre selection is important as this searches their database of Agents for you to contact. You then can view these agents profiles to see if you like them and if you do 'click add'. This brings up an e-mail form where you can paste the body of your 'query letter' but remember to consider editing it to make it specific to that agents line of work. This can take some time.
The next screen details the different submission requirement attachements:
2 agents = query only no attachment
4 agents = 5 page sample
7 agents = 10 page sample
4 agents = 25 page sample
2 agents = 30 page sample
3 agents = 50 page sample
3 agents = 1 chapter sample
1 agent = 3 chapters samples
So you paste in the required text for each sample and then WeBook make sure the agents get what they need. This is a little fiddley but a lot simpler to do it 8 times than 26 times.
Finally you are asked to complete an Authors Bio. They ask questions to gather information from you. This can be tricky if you haven't got a background as a published writer but concentrate on what you have got 'what are you best to write this novel' and 'what experience have you got, i.e. blogging, member of a writing group, participate in online writing communities, etc. How long have you been writing (I think most writers - it's as soon as they could pick up a pen).
The last page it for payment details. All your progress will be saved and you can pay at anytime but until you pay nothing goes out. Now I have paid, it has passed to a member of WeBook staff to do a 'Flight Check' where they check that your synopsis, letter and manuscript is at a suitable standard before sending it out. Last thing you want is a spelling mistake in your query letter.
Will let you know the outcome...
First you enter basic details about your manuscript such as your name, title of the book, word count, short synopsis and genre 1 and 2.
The genre selection is important as this searches their database of Agents for you to contact. You then can view these agents profiles to see if you like them and if you do 'click add'. This brings up an e-mail form where you can paste the body of your 'query letter' but remember to consider editing it to make it specific to that agents line of work. This can take some time.
The next screen details the different submission requirement attachements:
2 agents = query only no attachment
4 agents = 5 page sample
7 agents = 10 page sample
4 agents = 25 page sample
2 agents = 30 page sample
3 agents = 50 page sample
3 agents = 1 chapter sample
1 agent = 3 chapters samples
So you paste in the required text for each sample and then WeBook make sure the agents get what they need. This is a little fiddley but a lot simpler to do it 8 times than 26 times.
Finally you are asked to complete an Authors Bio. They ask questions to gather information from you. This can be tricky if you haven't got a background as a published writer but concentrate on what you have got 'what are you best to write this novel' and 'what experience have you got, i.e. blogging, member of a writing group, participate in online writing communities, etc. How long have you been writing (I think most writers - it's as soon as they could pick up a pen).
The last page it for payment details. All your progress will be saved and you can pay at anytime but until you pay nothing goes out. Now I have paid, it has passed to a member of WeBook staff to do a 'Flight Check' where they check that your synopsis, letter and manuscript is at a suitable standard before sending it out. Last thing you want is a spelling mistake in your query letter.
Will let you know the outcome...
Cost Estimate
This is a guess that 30 pages or 3 chapters would be a package and that all the rest except query would be a large letter, i have estimated the cost to 26 agents by post would have been:
First class: £19.58
Second class: £15.52
This would be if all the agents lived in the UK whereas most of them are in the USA (so it would be more with international costs). However, many of the agents I've subscribed to do accept email submissions so I could have mailed them for free.
I'm still on the fence as to whether Agent in the Box is worth it but will continue to keep you informed as my submission is now pending 'Flight Check'
This is a guess that 30 pages or 3 chapters would be a package and that all the rest except query would be a large letter, i have estimated the cost to 26 agents by post would have been:
First class: £19.58
Second class: £15.52
This would be if all the agents lived in the UK whereas most of them are in the USA (so it would be more with international costs). However, many of the agents I've subscribed to do accept email submissions so I could have mailed them for free.
I'm still on the fence as to whether Agent in the Box is worth it but will continue to keep you informed as my submission is now pending 'Flight Check'
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