A few readers recently wrote in with some great questions. I want to answer them on the blog just in case others were wondering about similar topics.

When sending a query to a literary agency, how do I choose which member agent to address when there are no specified genres for each agent, or multiple agents that represent the same genre?

Personally, I would not submit until I knew who exactly to send it to. Call the agency and politely ask whoever picks up the phone to tell you which agent handles "science fiction," for example. If you send the query with no agent in mind, will it be passed around to the correct person and read? Probably. But - the fact that you targeted an individual agent because you knew their "likes" should be a bonus for you. If you encounter a situation where three agents at the same agency all handle sci-fi, I still advise querying the one who will be the best fit for you. You only get one shot. Writers House, for example, is a huge agency and lots of agents there consider the same subjects, but you are only allowed to query one agent with each submission.

Do literary agents prefer a sample or manuscript to be formatted in a certain software program?  Is Microsoft Word too juvenile?

I use Word. Just about everyone I know uses Word. There are specific ways to format everything, from a query letter to a synopsis to a book proposal. But no, you don't need special software to be successful.

If an agency accepts both snail mail queries and e-queries, would one gain you more personal attention over another?

I suppose it really doesn't matter, but always check their Web site (if they have one) to confirm that no one particular method of submission is preferred. Lately, the newest preferred submission method is through a form on the agent's Web site. You see it more and more.
      Personally, I like e-queries because they are simple, free to send, and tend to get responses faster. Some people have told me that they submitted both print and electronic queries at the same time to the same agent (to absolutely make sure it arrived). That seems like a pretty good idea, but you never know - it may come off the wrong way to the agent.

During the first phase of submissions, I never heard from several agencies after the initial contact. I had to put a Spam Blocker on my author e-mail address (which means emails bounce back to the sender and they have to "prove" their existence). This could possibly account for the "no response" factor. Would it be all right to submit to these agencies again?

Thank you for submitting this question, because I should have mentioned this a long time ago. Man oh man, I hate these spam blocker things that request me to prove my existence. It seems likely that agents do, too. I see this a lot with Earthlink e-mails. Editors and agents get a lot of e-mails, and don't like any silly hassles like this.
      My best advice to is to completely turn off that feature or get a new e-mail address and query using that one. After you do that, yes, send a polite follow-up note, and include the original query letter.

News from the wire:

Paraview Literary Agency, based in Virginia, is currently closed to submissions. When I here more, I'll let you know.

Previously, I posted some info on a new literary agency, Plainsmart Publishing Agency. Below you can find complete and updated information that was sent to me today.

PlainSmart Publishing Agency

520 Kerr St., #20033, Oakville ON L6K 3C7, Canada. E-mail: query@plainsmart.com; info@plainsmart.com. Web site: www.plainsmart.com/contactinfo.html. Contact: Curtis Russell. Seeking new and established writers. Established: 2005. Represents 8 clients. 25% of clients are new/unpublished writers. Specializes in: "We take on a very small number of clients per year in order to provide focused, hands-on representation. We pride ourselves in providing industry leading client service." Currently Handles: 50% Nonfiction Books; 50% Novels.

Nonfiction areas of interest: Biography, Business, Child Guidance, Cooking, Current Affairs, Government, Health, How-to, Humor, Memoirs, Military, Money, Nature, Popular Culture, Science, Self-Help, Sports, True Crime, Women's Issues/Studies. Fiction areas of interest: Action/Adventure, Detective/Police, Erotica, Ethnic, Family Saga, Historical, Horror, Humor, Juvenile, Literary, Mainstream, Mystery/Suspense, Picture Books, Romance, Sports, Thriller, Young Adult, Women's.

How to Contact: Query with SASE. Submit: Synopsis (for fiction) and Author Bio. Accepts e-mail queries. No fax queries. Accepts simultaneous submissions. Responds in 6 weeks to queries; 6 weeks to manuscripts. Does not return submissions. Does not want: poetry or screenplays. Recent Sales: World Famous, by David Tyreman (AMACOM); What Burns Within and The Frailty of Flesh, by Sandra Ruttan; The Road to a Nuclear al-qaeda, by Al J. Venter (Potomac). Terms: Agent receives 15% commission on domestic sales; 25% commission on foreign sales. Offers written contract. Termination notice: 30-day This agency charges for postage/messenger services only if a project is sold. Tips: "Please review our Web site for the most up-to-date submission guidelines."

I spoke today with literary agent Michelle Humphrey, who joined Sterling Lord Literistic in October. Michelle was previously with Anderson Literary Management. Take note if she's on your list of agents to query.

She's seeking literary fiction, young adult work, multicultural fiction, and the following nonfiction subjects: history, science, autobiography / biography, women's issues/studies, cultural, and current affairs.

Submission information:

Sterling Lord Literistic
65 Bleecker Street
New York, NY 10012
michelle@sll.com (e-queries preferred)

Info Hat Tip: Special thanks to Kristen Howe.

Reminder: Newer agencies are golden opportunities for new writers because they're likely building their client list; however, always make sure your work is as perfect as it can be before submitting, and only query agencies that are a great fit for your work. Otherwise, you're just wasting time and postage.

Ellen Pepus Literary Agency

4200 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, #106-233, Washington DC 20016. Phone: (301)896-0185. Fax: (301)896-0185. E-mail: ellen@epliterary.com. Web site: www.epliterary.com. Contact: Ellen Pepus. New agency actively seeking clients. Prior to her current position, Ms. Pepus was employed at Graybill & English Literary Agency. She worked in foreign rights as well. Adheres to AAR canon of ethics. Represents 9 clients. 90% of clients are new/unpublished writers. Writer's Guidelines: www.epliterary.com/submission%20guidelines.html. Specializes in: fiction - both genre and literary. Narrative nonfiction is sought out, though Ms. Pepus will consider other nonfiction. Currently Handles: 30% nonfiction; 70% novels.

Nonfiction areas of interest: Animals, Anthropology/Archaeology, Art/Architecture, Biography, Parenting, Cooking/Foods, Crafts, Current Affairs, Ethnic/Cultural, Gay/Lesbian, Government, Health, History, How-to, Humor, Interior design, Language, Memoirs, Military, Money, Music, Nature, New Age, Photography, Popular Culture, Psychology, Science, Self-Help, Sociology, Translation, True Crime, Women's Issues. Fiction areas of interest: Action/Adventure, Police/Crime, Erotica, Ethnic, Family Saga, Fantasy, Feminist, Gay/Lesbian, Historical, Literary, Mainstream, Mystery, Psychic/Supernatural, Romance, Thriller, Women's. Actively seeking: Actively seeking literary and commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction. Does not want: Does not want to receive children's, young adult, poetry, short stories, screenplays, science fiction or horror.

How to Contact: Query with SASE. Submit book proposal or first 5 pages (if fiction). E-queries are preferred. No fax queries. Accepts simultaneous submissions. Responds in 2 weeks to queries; 8 weeks to mss. Returns materials only with SASE. Terms: Agent receives 15% commission on domestic sales; 20% commission on foreign sales. Offers written contract. Termination notice: 30 days. Writer's Conferences: Washington Independent Writers, Society of Southwestern Authors, North Carolina Writers Network, Southern California Writers Conference, Space Coast Writers Guild Conference.

The Maria Carvainis Agency, Inc. recently changed its mailing address. The agency is still located on the Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan, but the address is ever so slightly different:

New address:

Maria Carvainis Agency, Inc.
1270 Avenue of the Americas
Suite 2320
New York, NY 10020

Snail mail is the advised method to query this agency, which is comprised of several agents. Good luck!