Another cocksure query letter received by the book agent at SlushPile Hell includes the line: “The writing is final, and I do not want it changed.” Okay, then. This is part of a complete episode.
Transcript of “The Writing is Final”
Grant, here’s another letter to an agent that appears on the website SlushpileHell.
It goes, I am looking for a literary agent. I have attached the book. The writing is final, and I do not want it changed. Let me know if you want to take it on. It’s a very good book. Very well written. Please advise.
The utter confidence approach doesn’t work. It doesn’t work in query letters or resumes that people are not persuaded. You have to give them the evidence that it’s a good book. And telling people that your work cannot be edited, I mean, that’s guaranteed file 13. That’s right. It does not play well with others.
Yeah. I mean, there are great writers out there who will never be published because they don’t work well with editors. Sure. They’re unwilling to accept advice or collaboration.
Yeah, which is a shame, right? Because a good editor is worth his or her weight in gold. But is it a shame? Aren’t there enough books published every year? More competition out there.
