We will not be accepting any new manuscripts at this time.
Welcome to WriteHigh! Because our client list is large for such a small, boutique agency, chances are that we are currently knee-deep in manuscripts, galleys, and press kits for our own writers and authors. Here’s what to do—and NOT to do!— to get our attention on your project:
- Email a Query to Monique High or Susan Chin. Please do not query Peter Cauthorn Jaeger directly: Monique and Susan will send him queries for ultimate decision only.
- In a succinct query, please list:
- How and where you found us (Was it online? If so, where online? Or was it from a personal recommendation?);
- Why you chose our agency, specifically;
- What genre of book your project is, how long it is, and which specific audience you are targeting;
- Finally, tell us a little bit about yourself. We always want to know about our prospective writers.
- We also need to know whether you are a seasoned author jumping ship from a previous agent and publisher, in which case, we have to learn, up front, what your "issues" were with the aforementioned.
- If, on the other hand, you are a "newbie," we need to know whether you are a "virgin," as in, someone who has never presented material to any other agent before. If you had an agent who has tried, and failed, to get you published, we need to know this history.
- Does your previous agent—or publisher— know you're ready to jump ship? We don't want a mess. We don't play in other people's back yards. This makes us look bad.
- Don't lie to us about previous rejections. That makes us look especially foolish to editors to whom we might innocently present your project... a second time!
- Do not begin your query to us impersonally. And don't make us part of a general query to a dozen agents. In return, even if we don't take you on, we'll help you in some form or other.
…Speaking of impersonal Queries, here’s the worst Query Letter Monique ever received:
“Seeking an Agent
If you're getting this email a second time, please over look it or notify me and I can remove your name from my list of agents. I’m sending this inquiry by email as it is the fastest and most cost affective method of contacting you, the agent. I respect your time as being a valuable commodity, and therefore am casting a wide net in hopes of locating an agent. Currently I'm working with an editor on one project, while listing several small works on my website.
Currently I have the following manuscripts available …
[He followed with list of ten book projects, mentioned by title, but no description of the books.]
Look forward to your positive reply,
Sincerely, etc.”
Monique answered with this email:
“Dear Sir,
Honestly, Susan and I have never been so shocked by a query letter as by yours. Susan just deleted hers at once. It is, purely and simply, offensive.
You cannot, no way, no how, approach a slew of agents and expect them to become excited about your work. You need to let us know how you found us, why you are choosing us, in particular, and try—yes, try!!!—to make us feel special. If you want us to have an orgasm over your work, sir, please go through the proper foreplay to convince us you remember which lover we are—and not that we’re just anybody at all, the call girl or call boy the hotel just sent up. Because, guess what…? Agents don’t need you; you need us. And we need originality, charm, and personability in clients.
Okay. I think I’ve made my points. I can see from my colleagues that you have gotten our names off the Gerard Jones listing. We like Gerard very much. How many other agents and agencies have you contacted off his list, blindly, without even a name heading?
Now, as to your books: I am not going to go searching for your books on lulu.com. I need for you to summarize these books!!!!
However, I can see that some of these books seem quite original, and appear to be coffee-table, gift-type books, and, as such, although not fitting to our stable, would fit that of my close friend Deborah X. She is listed on no website yet, but you may contact her, in proper fashion, at XX@aol.com (not real email address). Her company is the XX (not real name) Agency.
I wish you much good luck!
Monique Raphel High”
The would-be author replied in this fashion:
“Sir (*interesting: is “Monique” ever a masculine name? Not in any language we speak!),
I'm a professional and haven't the time or need to play games in locating an agent.
The Internet has changed many things, one of them is direct inquiries, I am the owner of several large companies, work for the government, as well as own and operate an art gallery, therefore, I don't have the time for playing games or making someone who is supposed to represent me feel special, its a job. As a gallery owner, I respect the artists I represent, without them, there would be no point of having a gallery, I represent them, not the other way around.
To date I have had several very positive replies and an (sic) seeking the one that would best represent me.
Thank you for your reply.”
Well, we wish him well. Gerard Jones, by the way, is a writer who has a wonderful listing for publishing figures named “Everyone Who’s Anyone in Trade Publishing.” We never did learn whether this gentleman found WriteHigh from Gerard’s list or somewhere else. But wherever he came from, he did not impress us.
We know you will do better!