If You Want to be Taken Seriously, You Need to be Savvy with Your Queries
One of the biggest mistakes we can make as new writers is not being savvy about how the industry works. I recently came across an old article from 2015 about the use of non- disclosure agreements, otherwise known as NDAs.
Some of you may be familiar with NDA’s and how they’re used but what you might not know is that there’s a proper place for them and there’s an improper place for them. As an author you really have no need to have an NDA. I know you may say, “Well, how do I protect my intellectual property, AKA; my written work?’” And we’ll get to that. But first I’m going to tell you why an NDA is a bad idea for you as a writer.
To put it simply, they make you look like you don’t know what you’re doing. Don’t just take it from me, Jane Friedman, who also has 20 years in the publishing industry, states in her article, “ Why Your Non- Disclosure Agreement is Probably a Bad Idea”, says that it makes you look unprofessional and most people including editors, agents and publicists will see you as someone who is not familiar with industry standards if you ask for one. In other words, you look unprofessional and not very savvy. Which isn’t a good look. Those in the know understand that an NDA is not standard practice in the publishing industry. Friedman even goes as far as to say sending an NDA with your query is a red flag. It makes you look like someone that could be trouble as a client. It also makes you seem kind of desperate like you’re projecting the one and only good idea you have or will have in the future. It can also spell trouble down the line in the form of legal complications. The analogy I like to use when potential clients ask about NDAs is this: If your book has a dog in it, and then another of my client’s has a dog in their book, you could potentially sue me for stealing your “idea.”
More importantly, your work is already protected by copyright. The minute you put words to paper, your work is copyrighted. And, when you write, everything is stored on something. Whether it’s the cloud or your hard drive, all the data is already there, proving it’s your original work. If you don’t feel like that’s enough, you can register your copyright through the eCO, or the electric copyright system, and your work will be protected if, by chance, someone should try to steal your ideas or your written work. To be clear, a registered copyright is your defense in a court of law, but either way, you still own the copyright—it’s just a matter of whether or not you find yourself protecting that copyright.
Besides, if you are a good writer who is confident in their concepts and skills, you’ll know that ideas are a dime a dozen. It’s what you do with those ideas that is valuable. Publishers and agents are looking for more than just ideas from a query. Millions of people have good ideas but very few of them take action. What publishers are looking for is your unique treatment of an idea or story. They are also looking for good writing, as well as a sellable product and brand.
So, as a new writer, don’t make rookie mistakes that make it obvious that you are a rookie. Act confident, do your research, and know where to submit. And already having a strong brand is a huge bonus. You’ve accomplished a giant undertaking by writing a book! Good job! So, don’t give yourself any setbacks that you don’t need. Make wise decisions, be aware, and be prepared.
Do the research on the publishing process and go over the details of writing a good query, and you’ll have that polish and savvy that publishers are looking for. Add to that your good content, and your work is far less likely to end up in the slush pile.
Let me know what you think. I’d love to hear from you.
