Monday, August 31, 2009

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.

25 comments:

  1. LOL x1000!

    People on craigslist never fail to amuse me. I've been casually searching for a new place to live come Nov and almost die from fits of laughter when I see people's posts. And they're trying to rent a house!

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  2. Hell, it makes me want to become an agent.

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  3. Yikes! Not to mention, if I were an agent, and somebody sent me a query including the words, "if we dialogue," I would throw up all over said query.

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  4. What? Query on Craigslist? How silly.

    I prefer to find representation for my work by selling the rights on eBay.

    ;-)

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  5. There was a guy a few weeks back trying to auction of a screenplay on Ebay. I think the starting price was $20,000. Compared to him these Craigslist folks seem half-sane (which also means they are half-crazy.)

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  6. Yeah, agents definitely need to check out Craigslist for stalkers, I mean clients. Best seller material, come and get it! :)

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  7. Hmmmmmmm... maybe I can sell my book concept and my lawn mower at the same time. Maybe even a package deal?

    Any agents looking for a blockbuster novel and a John Deere riding mower (both need a little work).

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  8. I've seen this same thing on Linked In. It just baffles me.

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  9. Wow, a writer who actually KNOWS what happens when you die and go to heaven...AND can tell it with pictures! Why is this not on the bestseller list already?

    Also, I hate when people use dialogue as a verb. *ptooey*

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  10. Ah-ha! So Craigslist IS the new Twitter/email/query! I knew it!!

    *off to post ad for new bestseller sitting on my computer that has been just a-waiting. Don't have time for stuff like queries, or stuff like research to figure out that Craigslist may not suffice as query!*

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  11. I hung my pic and first chapter of my MG book *BED TIME STORIES WHEN THE LOCK GOES CLANK* on the local Post Office Most Wanted cork board.

    I plan going national soon!

    Haste yee back ;-)

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  12. Ah Ha Ha Ha!!!! Sorry. I just couldn't help myself. Seriously? Craigslist? Wow!

    Thanks for sharing.

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  13. can't speak; jaw locked in dropped position

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  14. There is no end to the hilarity of desperate people.

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  15. Wow - the Craigslist idea is so much more high-tech than my method of yelling my blurb on the streetcorner with a megaphone. And I wouldn't have to compete with the "Jesus Saves!" guy!

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  16. Sounds like a fertile playground for scammers who call themselves "agents."

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  17. As long as this post included a nude photo of the author, we would totally sign this person.

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  18. Elance is currently jam-packed with mouth watering editing opportunities.

    For example...

    i need a experenced writer to profread my 130,000 word scinece ficton novel. Experence and gramar essentiel.

    Great — but for Under $500???

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  19. Sounds like she's just plain lazy. The rest of have to "...wade through the normal publishing channels..."

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  20. Hm . . . Unpublished book or this old couch . . .

    :D
    G.

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  21. Wicked funny! What did they list it under? women seeking book deal or scammers commence spamming

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  22. hey they say you should post a link to your blogs under community :) maybe that's where they put this funny query

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