More Advice!

Another helpful (I hope!) hint from an agent:

There's a fine line between persistence and annoyance.

This should be pretty obvious, but just in case... Following up on an emailed submission at the end of an agent's posted range for response = persistence. Calling a week after you've sent a complete 75,000 word manuscript = annoyance. Calling in general = annoyance. Even worse is dropping a manuscript off in person.

Reading an agent's client's blog and commenting on something posted there in a query to said agent = persistence. Using the name of an agent's client or employee or coworker as the victim of a horrible crime in your novel = annoyance. Also, creepy.

Meeting an agent at a conference or cocktail party and mentioning your book, then following up in the next few days with a written query = persistence. Meeting an agent at a conference or cocktail party, mentioning your book, trying to give her a copy of your book, cornering her in the corner of said conference or cocktail party and describing (at length) the plot of your novel = annoyance. Especially if you're keeping her from the booze. Unlike Miss Snark, I don't have a weakness for gin, but I do enjoy a nice cold beer. (Like this one. Yummy!)