I thought you liked these genres. Anyway, twenty minutes before you responded, an agency in New York sent me its response as quickly as you did. Here was their reply:

The idea sounds chilling. I'm interested to see where this all leads. I'd like to request the first three chapters of [title]. Please send it in a .doc attachment and hit "reply all" so we have an extra copy on file.

Just because we represent a genre doesn't mean all books within that genre are for us. We can only request what enchants and inspires us.

At any rate, it's rude and unprofessional to respond as you've done. I'm glad someone else has shown interest in your book, but it's unnecessary to lash back when I've politely told you your book isn't right for us. Please do not respond in such a way again.

My reply was not vitriolic. But let me understand this correctly...you've agented books that deal with zombies and vampires but [idea] are of no interest?!! You'll excuse me if I just shake my head at that. I think ten million people would shake their heads at that. It very much seems now that your comments leading off your reply to me are disingenuous in the extreme. At this point, I really don't know whether Jenny even saw my query. Perhaps you don't like [idea] stories no matter how well they may sell.

So, I guess that means that if Stephen King queried you per [title], you would've turned him down, too.

This is going to be the last time I reply to you. I'm not going to take the time again. I'm replying now because I don't want you to reply like this to other agents. They have enough to deal with.

Your previous response was rude. It's akin to asking someone on a date, and when they say no, you saying, "I'm a guy. Don't you like guys? Anyway, that girl over there already said she'd date me." Just because one person said yes doesn't mean everyone must. Tastes vary. Please take that into account when querying.

Yes, we've represented books about zombies and so on. We don't have anything against [idea]. In fact, I like that idea. However, the story, the execution, the premise, the characters -- all of that has to work for us in order for us to want to see more. Just because we like, say, vampires and romance doesn't mean we enjoy TWILIGHT.

As to your question of whether Jenny saw your query: No. That's my job. I read queries on her behalf. I'm paid to do this. I know her tastes, and I request what she would like.

If Stephen King had queried us with [title], I would have asked Jenny if she'd like to see it, the writer being Stephen King and all, and therefore a for sure sale. You are not Stephen King. You are not a for sure sale.

Again, this is my last reply to you. Further emails will be deleted. Please don't send emails to other agents like the ones you've sent me.

jimhines