On Submitting Work to GK

Subject line:  Are editors still walking on broken glass to meet with you? * 


Dear AG,
Though you don't know me, I hope you are still liking me. I also hope that will not change as a result of this email.


I am nearing completion of the final draft and rewrite of my novel. The (terrifying) process of querying looms before me, and I have steeled myself to start come September. As I enjoy reading your blog and the advice you dispense there, I would like to send you a query letter. However, my novel, although I describe it as being coming-of-age, is not YA. Would I then automatically be part of the 33% that are not the right fit for you? If not, how would I find you, and find your submission guidelines?


Thanks and regards,
[Name]


PS: Do believe me,--I claim that I did my best to work in a comma-dash. Oh.

*

Not at all! I'm on a YA kick--but I'm also open to all sorts of fiction--and a lot of nonfiction, too.

Here's what I'm more likely to like:
Women's fiction, literary fiction, upmarket chick lit, coming of age novels, novels that are literary but with elements of surrealism and/or magical realism, thrillers with female protagonists and/or a lot of dark humor and/or a literary feel.


Here's what I'm less likely to like:
Thrillers that involve a lot of blood and gore (just for kicks), fantasy, sci fi (unless it's very literary)


Here's what I won't like:
Novels that are a series of bad/sad/horrific/violent events where nothing good ever happens (GK is somewhat squeamish unless the writing is truly excellent--though, for example, Fight Club suited me just fine), and novels involving aliens. So, the worst fit for me would be a sad story about aliens that kill each other in real original ways.**

*


Here's how you submit your work to GK:
See the upper-right hand corner? That's an email address that will forward to the appropriate account.

Please include your query in the body of the email, and--if it's fiction--the first ten pages, also in the body of the email.

___________________________
* This refers to this post, in which GK meets an editor for lunch--just after a case of vinegar goes down the stairs.

** This refers to the How Not to Communicate With Agents--A Game! post.