Mistakes when approaching publishers and agents

Have been talking recently to one or two writers about the challenges of getting published. Here are some classic mistakes to avoid when approaching publishers and agents:
* Saying ‘Go to my website for a sample of my work”
* Writing a submission that lacks confidence
* Writing a submission that is over-confident or pompous
* Sending a submission that has clearly not been proof-read
* Queries addressed to "Dear Agent" (or anything similar)
* Vague letters.
* E-mailed submissions with more than one agent listed in the "To" field
* Submissions that have no clue what the publisher/agent deals in or that have no clue what their submission guidelines are.

Avoid these pitfalls and at least you give yourself an edge.

John Dean