The Dreaded Query
Last week I sent out 7 queries, to test the waters so to speak: 4 required query letter only, 2, the first 10 pages (in my case that's the entire first chapter), and 1, the first few pages. I haven't heard back from most, other than the standard we received it and will get to it as soon as we can. I actually think that's nice because the agencies I didn't hear that from I will be paranoid about (what if it's lost in web space?) until I do.
So, I get the whole form rejection on the basic query thing. Kind of a bummer since it would be nice to know if it was the query or just not their cuppa tea. However, I can't imagine how long it would take to personally respond to over 100 queries each week. That wouldn't leave a whole lot of room to actually represent any clients, certainly not something I'd look for in an agent.
I did get a response to one this morning. And, I'd love to mention her name since it was so sweet, but I won't. It was the one that only requested a couple pages -- which was also the one I worried most about. How can you tell in 1000ish words? Of course, I know the simple answer to that: the first 1000 words need to be good enough to tell. Simple for the agent at least ;)
My first issue is this: it appeared to be a personal response, but I'm not positive. It could just as easily have been her standard form rejection. I would like to know (but I will not ask -- I've read enough agents opinions on this to know better than to reply in any form to a rejection) so I can have a basis of comparison with any others that respond.
My second issue is in direct relation to the first: If this was personal then I may need to rework the entire first section. And that's where the hard part comes in. I struggled for so long with those first pages. I even added a new beginning of which, admittedly, I was unsure . Now I am wondering if I should have just stuck with the original.
Well no one said this was going to be easy. In fact, I'm pretty sure mostly everyone said it would be hard. Harder than hard -- near impossible. Good thing I don't give up easily.
Unfortunately, out of the 7, this is the one I had hoped would show interest. And after her so nice response, I'm even more sorry it didn't work. But, life goes on, and I will hope for better reactions from others. Not like these are the only 7 agents out there that do genre romance, right? So, I'll keep plugging along.
For those of you that have queried, have you received mostly form rejections, or personal responses? Or could you not tell the difference either?
So, I get the whole form rejection on the basic query thing. Kind of a bummer since it would be nice to know if it was the query or just not their cuppa tea. However, I can't imagine how long it would take to personally respond to over 100 queries each week. That wouldn't leave a whole lot of room to actually represent any clients, certainly not something I'd look for in an agent.
I did get a response to one this morning. And, I'd love to mention her name since it was so sweet, but I won't. It was the one that only requested a couple pages -- which was also the one I worried most about. How can you tell in 1000ish words? Of course, I know the simple answer to that: the first 1000 words need to be good enough to tell. Simple for the agent at least ;)
My first issue is this: it appeared to be a personal response, but I'm not positive. It could just as easily have been her standard form rejection. I would like to know (but I will not ask -- I've read enough agents opinions on this to know better than to reply in any form to a rejection) so I can have a basis of comparison with any others that respond.
My second issue is in direct relation to the first: If this was personal then I may need to rework the entire first section. And that's where the hard part comes in. I struggled for so long with those first pages. I even added a new beginning of which, admittedly, I was unsure . Now I am wondering if I should have just stuck with the original.
Well no one said this was going to be easy. In fact, I'm pretty sure mostly everyone said it would be hard. Harder than hard -- near impossible. Good thing I don't give up easily.
Unfortunately, out of the 7, this is the one I had hoped would show interest. And after her so nice response, I'm even more sorry it didn't work. But, life goes on, and I will hope for better reactions from others. Not like these are the only 7 agents out there that do genre romance, right? So, I'll keep plugging along.
For those of you that have queried, have you received mostly form rejections, or personal responses? Or could you not tell the difference either?
Comments
I wish I was smarter with querying in the beginning, but it took me until I got that partial rejection to realize why I was being rejected. I definitely value any rejection that can give me a push in the right direction in terms of editing and fixing the book.
Best of luck with it all, sweetie!
((hugs)) Nicole
Nicole - Thanks so much. You are always so kind and encouraging :)
Roxy - And that's the thing, I wish I had gotten something more solid like incompatible voice. Perhaps a nice multiple choice at the end of each query letter would work to save time for agents:
A = The writing sucks.
B = Good, but I don't read this.
C = Not a good enough opening hook.
LOL.
I've done my agent homework pretty well this go round, and have plenty more on the list. I'm just waiting to hear back from more of this batch before I go forward. And, a 3x3 paper, really? Wow.
As a querier, you really do have to do your homework on which agents rep what you write. It takes a long time navigating the waters of AgentTracker and other websites where they have agents. (I'm sorry I'm having a headachey day today and so can't think but you know what I mean.) I write Regency and there are barely 26 agents out of how many that will even LOOK at it.
So take heart, you have a pool of hundreds to choose from. If I may, however, I will tell you to compile a list of A) the agents you would give your unborn child to work with B) the ones you would invite to dinner and c) the ones who you might call if you got stuck on the side of the road. Query the B's) and C's) first, that way you get to save the A's) for last. IF you're lucky you'll get enough feedback to tell you what you're doing wrong to fix whatever it is and then you'll still have the A's) to query. If you get a request from a partial off the B's & C's, then you might want to send out a few to the A's. Groups of 7-10 is best.
Good Luck! Keep us posted. We're all in this together.
If you're still unsure about the opening and it doesn't feel absolutely right, get some more eyes on your manuscript. That's what I'd advise. You should feel total confidence that "this is my very best".
In an unrelated topic...When you get a moment, could you pop by my blog and let me know where you heard about the Whoops! Blogfest? I'd promised a prize to my best shout-out helper, but I can't figure out who to thank. Gracias!
Laurel, I must have at least 7-8 versions of ch 1!
Anne, that's pretty much the formula I'm following :)
Later down the line I rewrote the book. I'm actually sending out letters now as well. I got one response that the agent has received my query, but it was not personal in any way other than the title of my book being included in the paragraph.
I'm hoping to get at least a few rejections back, because I plan to publish them, along with the queries that inspired them, in an episodic blog topic on the process, ie; what Not to do.
Good luck with your queries! If that letter was indeed a personal one, then I'd say you're at least on the right track toward getting accepted.
Love to read other other author's posts on queries...
I've only sent out one. Got a form rejection. I totally know what you mean by wanting to have some sort of clue as to why you were rejected. I tend to be paranoid.
Was it my query? My first 10 pages? My writing? Already have something like that? I just suck?? :)
Good luck with the rest that are out there...
Thank you, Michael. I'm sure hoping things are moving the right direction. Time will tell.