Thanks for your advice. The thing is, I’m not in the UK, so phoning will be a) very expensive (postage already is) and b) I’m actually kinda scared that I will sound stupid, lol.

But I might do so, yeah. Checking the address is probably a wise thing anyway.

so thanks very much, I’ll think about it some more. (Is anyone else scared to take that last step? I’m pretty freaked out about it, truth be told. It all gets to be so real now. )

I asked you another question earlier about getting an agent in the UK if you’re not from the UK. Thanks for your answer on that, by the way.

I have another question for you: I’ve finally finished my synopsis. My covering letter is as good as it’s going to be. My sample chapters are polished and edited. I’ve made a longlist and a shortlist of agencies that I feel are best suited for my work. In short, I am ready to go out there and bag myself an agent.

But now, the big question: I’ve done the research on all submissions guidelines. But who do you address your submission to, if the agency states just a general address for submissions? Like for instance when it says: “submission department” .

Is it okay to just write to a dear Sir, dear Madam?

Thanks again!

iran – Agents do a lot for authors – I’m sure we’ll have a blog post soon on what services they offer. In relation to unsolicited submissions, if a publisher receives a submission from an agent, they will know that someone within the industry has assessed the quality of the work.

Cressida