Thread by @MissDahlELama

I know it's super raw and no one is expecting anyone to act immediately, but, for those who need it, a thread on mid-career querying you can bookmark and read when you're ready:

First off, here's a post on it: dailydahlia.wordpress.com/2019/07/07/mid… This post is really more for if you're querying with a new manuscript, though, and I know that's not everyone's situation, but I think it's worth a read anyway.

Second, here's the Mid-Career Querying edition of my blog series Perpetual WIPs, where you can get details on a bunch of people's different experiences and methods with it: dailydahlia.wordpress.com/blog-series/pe…

But now, let's talk about when you find yourself unagented and you're in the middle of your career and you need representation to handle your work ASAP but don't have a new manuscript to query. (And agents, please feel free to chime in with best practices and preferences!)

If you're in the middle of your career, you've probably got a bunch of things going on. Maybe you have options coming up. Maybe you have subrights that haven't been shopped yet. Maybe you have a proposal for something. Maybe you have a significant portion of your next work. +

My advice: gather it all up into a neat list. Send a normal query about how you're seeking *new* representation, be upfront about not having a completed new manuscript, and then succinctly write out what you have to offer.

Another thing I did is included a link to a spreadsheet that had all my plans - story ideas, statuses, etc. - so we could pick up and talk about right where I was and wanted to be.

Also, you know that bio paragraph in your query where you were probably like "WTF do I write here?" when you were new? You're gonna wanna make good use of that. And yes, I'm going to recommend you link your website and make sure it's updated. Sorry. I'm still me.

Excellent addition:

https://twitter.com/leonicka/status/1657575823979732992?s=20

Also I know it's cold comfort, but if you have a release coming up and are terrified of not having your agent for it:

AT MIDNIGHT is my very first book for which I was still with the agent who sold it.

It was my 11th book. I promise you will be fine <3