craigslist: the hot new place to query

INTERN was, er, investing time on craigslist this morning when she found this post:

"I have written three non-fiction books which have best seller potential. Yes, you've heard that before, but if we dialogue I think you will agree. However, I am not a writer, but simply had something important to say. Therefore, I am not familiar with the usual query/submision proceedure and the books are time critical enough, that it doesn't seem prudent to wade through the normal publishing channels."

No, it is certainly not prudent to wade through the normal publishing channels when your idea is so critical you have to...post it on craiglist and...hope an agent will want to schedule a "random encounter" with you?

As if that one wasn't cool enough, craigslist querying is apparently becoming a trend (or the same person is doing it over and over again) (or the INTERN just didn't know about it until now):

"Compelling children's picture book dealing with death needs a good literary agent to represent it and get it published. This is a story that provides a thoughtful, meaningful explanation about what happens when a child dies and goes to heaven, using words that are reassuring, loving and helpful to small children struggling with the idea of death. I want to get this book published and the topic is sensitive such that many publishers won't touch it. Thanks."

Dear Agent: Nobody wants to touch my book. So clearly you will want to take it on as a project. Thanks.

Come on, agents! Who's going to step up to the plate? Huh?

That is all.