This query is part of the Be an Agent for a Day contest. Rules and Regulations here
Please post your rejection or manuscript request in the comment section!
Dear Agent for a Day,
A hard-driving VP at OmniGlobe Entertainment comes up with a bold strategy to form the most lucrative band in the world—a children’s band. For rock and roll talent scout Chandra West, that means auditioning hopefuls for the reality show “Children’s Superstar,” and promising to revive her childhood idol’s career after the VP muscles him out. But first she has to manage the new band, whose handsome lead singer is surprisingly talented. Unfortunately, one of his talents is rebellion.
From L.A. boardrooms to Asia and ValueVille, Missouri, THE KNOCK-OFFS (commercial fiction, 103,000 words) is a satiric riff on children’s music, greedy corporations, and the challenge of earning a living without selling your soul.
When I was a journalist, my work appeared over 200 times in newspapers and magazines such as Portland Monthly and Forbes ASAP. I’m also the co-author of an academic book, Super-Patriots in America: A Century of Growing Influence (Hollowbrook Press, 1995).
Thanks for considering this project, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Author
STATS: 24% request rate
jnantz says
Dear Author:
I appreciate the opportunity to consider your work. After a lot of thought, I’m afraid I’m going to have to pass. I just don’t feel I can represent this project with the kind of enthusiasm it would require. However, this business is very subjective, and I encourage you to query widely. Many agents may feel differently than I do.
Thank you again,
Jnantz
[reason: The voice is good, and there is probably a market for this, but it just didn’t grab me. I’m betting it will grab someone, though, so keep at it!]
Leis says
Dear Author,
Thank you for querying me. I’m afraid I have to pass on this one.
Good luck with your work.
Kind regards,
Leis
Jenn says
form rejection letter.
gypsyscarlett says
Dear Author,
Thank you for your query.
Unfortunately, your story is not right for me.
I wish you much luck finding a suitable agent.
rantonson17 says
Dear Author,
Thank your for your story. You have an interesting premise. Unfortunately, I am unable to represent your work at this time.
Best of luck,
Rebekka
TecZ aka Dalton C Teczon - Writer says
Dear Author:
Thank you for your query and for allowing me to consider your work.
While your novel, “The Knock-Offs,” sounds exciting, I feel I’m not the right fit for your project. Therefore, I must decline on this project right now. But I do want to encourage you to continue submitting. Just because a project isn’t quite right for me, doesn’t mean the right agent isn’t just around the corner.
I wish you the best of luck with all your writing endeavors and in the querying and submission process. Persistence pays off, so don’t give up!
Best regards,
Dalton C. Teczon – Agent
Anonymous says
Thank you for your query. Unfortunately, I do not feel I am the right agent for your project. I encourage you to query other agents and wish you the best of luck.
Thank you,
Agent C
cwsherwoodedits says
Thank you for your query. I’m going to have to pass.
NotJana says
Dear Author,
Thank you for your query. However, I’m afraid that at this time I am unable to offer representation for your project.
All the best,
Agent For A Day (Or Two)
Perle_Rare says
Dear Author,
Thank you for your submission but this isn’t right for me at this time.
Best wishes,
Perle_Rare
Reason:
– I can’t quite see where this story is going.
H. Zilionis says
Dear Author,
Thank you so much for sending me your query and offering me the chance to consider your work. Unfortunately, I am not the right agent for your project.
Good luck and keep writing!
Holly Z – Agent for a Day
Sharon aka Sapphire says
Dear Author,
Thank you for your submission. Unfortunately, I do not feel it is right for me. Remember that my opinion is just one. I urge you to continue to seek out representation with your manuscript.
Best wishes,
Sharon
Aimless Writer says
This would be a maybe. I’d have to research the YA market more to see if this would sell. So I’d have to pass for now.
Just_Me says
Dear Author,
Thank you for your query. Your novel sounds intriguing but at this time does not suit our list. We wish you the best of luck placing it with another agency.
Sincerely,
Agent
Note: I’m being subjective and not connecting. But I’m not sure what the market is either. Or the genre. Sorry.
Maria A says
Thank you for thinking of our agency, but not for us at this moment.
Best of luck,
Agent
Davien says
Dear Author,
You have an intriguing idea, but I just don’t quite feel the hook. As satire, I would expect a query to introduce me to more about the concepts that make it ironic, amusing, or satirical. At this time, I have chosen to pursue other works, but I encourage you to continue to submit.
I have no doubt that you will find a market and representation. I truly do wish you the best of luck.
Sincerely,
Janine says
Dear Author,
This is a close one. I can't quite follow the plot enough to request it, but it is almost there. If there were sample pages here, I'd read them & maybe that would make all the difference. Good luck finding another agent.
AgentforDay says
Dear Author,
Thank you for submitting KNOCK-OFFS for my consideration. I am interested in reading more.
Though you do not specify the specific target market (e.g. age group,romance), with today’s market for reality television and idol making, there could be a large market for an appropriately targeted, well written novel.
Please send a brief synopsis and the first three chapters for further consideration.
Sincerely,
AgentforDay
Rebecca Knight says
Dear Knock-Offs,
Thank you for your query, and for thinking of my agency. Unfortunately, I feel that I’m not the best fit for your project. This industry is highly subjective, so I’m sure others will feel differently. Best of luck to you in all your endeavors.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Knight
Nora Coon says
Dear Author,
Please send me the full manuscript of “The Knock-Offs” at your earliest convenience.
***
Tightly written, intriguing premise. Theo only thing I had trouble with was describing the lead singer as “handsome” – he’s a kid, right? And Chandra is an adult? Or am I missing something?
Getabo Publishing says
I like the premise and you obviously have excellent writing credentials. I think it’s an excellent query, and this made my Top 10.
Just didn’t really hook me enough to make my top 5.
But I did really like it.
***
Thank you for your query. Unfortunately we do not think that your book would be a likely prospect for our list.
We regret that the large number of submissions we receive makes it impossible to offer individual comment. We believe it is more important to read and evaluate every query / submission we receive with due consideration.
We appreciate you thinking of Getabo Creative Publishing, and wish you the best of luck with your manuscript and future writing endeavors.
Sincerely.
The Editors
Getabo Creative Publishing
Alisa says
No, thank you.
Alisa.
Shannon says
Dear Author,
Thank you for submitting your query for THE KNOCK-OFFS for review. Unfortunately, I am not the right person to represent this story. This is a subjective business so another agent may feel differently. Good luck.
Sincerely,
Shannon
lilianamama says
Dear Author:
I thought your query very strong but for one confusing sentence segment: and promising to revive her childhood idol’s career after the VP muscles him out.
I can’t go there. I don’t understand what you’re saying, so my interest wains each time I read it. I liked the suggestion of rebellion in that paragraph, but it’s like you tell me something exciting is going to happen and that I’ll just have to trust you on it. As an agent, you have to convince me on it.
Since this was otherwise very strong, I’d like to see your query after a re-write.
Annie Reynolds says
Dear author
Thank you for taking the time to submit your query to the A.F. A.D. agency. Unfortunately I do not believe your novel is a good fit at this time, but please remember that this is a very subjective industry, so keep trying.
Good luck with your career.
Yours truly,
Annie Reynolds.
drat says
Dear Author,
Thank you for sending me your query. I gave it careful consideration, but ultimately I concluded I’m not the right agent for the book. Good luck with your manuscript, and query widely!
Thanks,
SDC
Asherose says
Dear Author,
Thank you for your submission. I would like to request the first three chapters at this time.
Thank you,
Agent
Reasoning: Good query. Blurb is well written and holds my attention. No nonsense, straight to the point.
Aisling says
Dear Author,
Your query was very intriguing to me! I would love for you to send me the first few pages of your book. I am extremely interested in your work and I look forward to receiving the first bit of your book!
Aisling
Anonymous says
Dear writer,
I appreciate the query but your book is not what I am looking for at the moment. However, I wish you luck in getting this book published.
best regards,
Nathaniel Orange
Anonymous says
Dear Author,
Not my cup of tea.
Agent Edgar Leroy 3rd
Anonymous says
Dear Author,
I appreciate your time and efforts, but I am sorry to say that I do not wish to represent your story. If you have another story idea, please send it to me in the future, and I would be happy to look at it.
Best Wishes,
Quintus Blackburn
Anonymous says
Dear writer,
I enjoyed your query, but I’m afraid I’m not the right agent to represent this work. I’d love to see more of your writing.
Gloria Valentine
Anonymous says
Thank you for your query, though I don’t think I’m interested in taking your story idea. Keep on writing.
-Thanks,
Suzuki Volkeswagon
Katalina Marie says
Dear Author,
I’m sorry but I don’t think that this book is the one for me.
Regards,
Katalina Marie
Anonymous says
Dear Writer,
Thanks so much for the query, but this is just not right for us at this time. Feel free to send me any others you might come up with, and best of luck in other endeavors.
Agent R.
Anonymous says
Dear Author,
I think your novel has real potential, please send me a full manuscript for further review.
Arkham says
Dear Author,
I regret to inform you that I am not interested in representing your story. I hope you have better luck in the future.
Best of luck,
Arkham
Anonymous says
Dear Author,
I think that your story seems like it has publishing potential, and I would like to have the full manuscript.
Keep Writing,
Agent Jackie Moon
Anonymous says
Dear Author,
I think that you have a very interesting book and I would like to read view more. Please send me the full manuscript.
Thank You,
Happy Gilmore
Anonymous says
Dear author,
I appreciate your query and found your concept interesting; however, it is just not what I am looking for. I look forward to future queries from you!
Thank you, Scarlett Cyrus
Anonymous says
Dear Author,
I have decided not to take up your offer on publishing this book. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to view your material.
Thank You,
Happy Gilmore
Anonymous says
Dear Author,
I would very much like to thank you for submitting your query, unfortunately it’s not right for me.
Sincerely,
Agent Sunshine
Megan says
Dear Author,
Thank you for your query, but I will have to decline.
Best of luck,
Meg Spencer
LateInTheGame says
Dear Author,
Thank you for your query. Unfortunately, I am not the best representative for your work.
Good luck in your search for representation.
All the best,
Agent LateInTheGame
Reba says
Dear Author,
Please send the first 3 chapters via email.
Best,
Reba
Kate H says
Dear Author,
Thank you for your query. I’m afraid I’m not the right agent to represent you, but I wish you the best of luck.
Kate H
Meggrs says
Form rejection with encouragement to submit future projects.
Query doesn’t hook me.
s.koncilja says
Dear Author,
I received and read your query. Unfortunately it is not something that I’m looking for at the moment.
Keep me informed about your future work and good luck!
Agent S.K.
superwench83 says
Dear Author,
Thank you for your submission. Unfortunately, your manuscript isn’t right for me. Best wishes in your search for an agent.
Sincerely,
Agent for a Day
publishingcareer says
Dear Author
Thank you for expressing your interest in our agency and submitting your query for your novel The Knock-Offs.
I read it with interest but unfortunately it is not what I am looking for.
Best of luck and kind regards.
Yours faithfully
Robert Sullivan AFAD