So we send it out.
And get smacked down.
I can’t speak for every other writer out there, but I can share what I’ve learned from the experience.
You’ve only got one shot.* Once an agent turns your query down, you can’t rewrite it and query them again. Your chance with them is blown, at least until you have a new book written. Make sure your query is the best it can be. Make sure your novel is the best it can be.
Agents are busy. Even though you’re giddy with excitement because you met them at a conference and you want to get the story to them right away before they forget who you are, take a deep breath and slow down. Chances are they’re going to be inundated when they get back from a conference and that doesn’t even take into account all the queries, partials and fulls that were in their inbox before they left. It will likely be weeks before they read your submission.
Take your time and make sure what you’re sending out is the best. How? Here are a few tips:
Let your story sit. At least a week, preferably two or three weeks. I’d heard this one but I didn’t have the patience. I figured it was one of the rules I could break. Turns out it’s a good one, even for seasoned writers. Never underestimate the power of distance. Being away from your story helps you spot issues or clunky prose more clearly.
Print it out. If you’ve only been looking at the story on screen, you’re not getting the full impact of your words. Just like taking time away, seeing the words on a piece of paper will give you a completely different perspective on your novel.
The truth hurts. Even if there’s only one person telling you something in your story sucks, don’t completely discount what they’re saying. That one critique could be all that’s standing between making your story good and making it great.
Perfect your query. You’ve spent a long time working on your novel. Spend at least a proportional amount of time working on your query. It should have the tone of your story, include a strong hook and leave the reader wanting more. Get as many people as possible to read that query and give you feedback. (Query Queen Elana Johnson is giving away copies of her book From the Query to the Call on her website. Her blog has plenty of fantastic advice on querying.)
Query slowly. Don’t query everyone on your list all at once. Send a few out and gauge the responses. If agents are asking to see pages, then your query is doing its job. If you’re getting rejects without requests, then you need to work on harder on your query.
Every situation is different, but you owe it to yourself to give your story the best shot. Most importantly, don't get discouraged. Even bestsellers get rejected. (And if you'd like to read some of the rejections received by a recent bestseller, check out this post from Kimberly Derting, author of THE BODYFINDER.)
*I did email an agent to ask if I could resubmit after I made drastic changes based on her earlier rejection. She was gracious enough to say yes. And then she rejected me again :) But don't count on this. Many agents specifically state that they will not accept re-queries on the same project.
21 comments:
It's hard not to want to send things out early, but I don't anymore. Okay maybe to one or two agents. My current wip will now sit for 6 weeks until I'll read it again in August. It works for me b/c I like to be working on something when i start querying. It's much much easier when getting the Rs.
Excellent advice here, Sherrie. It's hard to stay calm, but so important to remember.
Oh the query wars. I'm so glad when all mine will be over. (12 left to hear from - 1 partial left from an earlier ms.) I wish they'd hurry up so I can move on already.
hahah. Yes spongbob. So true!
Great tips! I think writers (including myself) rush through querying b/c we feel we've spent so long being patient with our writing process, and goshdarnit can't SOMETHING in this biz just go quickly for once? But lol no, it really can't. Not if we want it done right. Sigh...
So true. Patience is a virtue we writers have to cultivate. :)
Such a wise post, Sherrie, especially for those of us for whom PATIENCE is a mega-challenge. I have to consciously make myself go slow on all of those tips. I think I may print this post and hang it next to my computer! LOL. :-)
Yup, querying is hell. Make sure you're as ready as you can be. ;)
So true. It's almost like an addiction to keep sending them out! But you must wait!!!
All great advice. My favorite is letting a manuscript sit, which I do now for a month or more. And then another month or more, if I can stand it.
I hate querying, but you can definitely try to make it easier on yourself. These are all great tips, Sherrie!
These are all great things to keep in mind, especially when you're experiencing the rush of having finished something. Thanks for the tips!
After what I talked about in my post today, I'm definitely not going to be in a big rush to query my wip. ;)
I used to do so many writerly things prematurely in the past. I'm still a teensy bit hasty, but now I really think hard before I hit send. I'm also more patient and allow manuscripts to sit between revisions.
Slowly... yes, the wisdom of s l o w l y .
The only thing I would add is that while your book is out there doing the rounds, sit down and get on with writing another, better one, putting into action all the things you've learned from writing the first.
And persevere.
Another great article, Sherrie. And so true!! (sigh)
This is A+ advice! Too many writers query to soon! We just get so darn excited! ;)
Really great post!
yep yep yep--so hard, but SO true!
Brilliant advice, my dear. I don't think you can go wrong if you follow these rules. I think the problem comes when writers are too anxious to just get in the game, you know? It's hard to be patient, especially if your peers are already in the game. Sometimes you get lucky, and you can score by just jumping in there, but most of the time, it's just asking for pain.
Love your insight, Sherrie! :o) It's so hard to wait and let a manuscript sit (even harder to revise it properly) but it is what makes the difference for sure. I've had to learn this the hard way too! :o)
Have a great weekend!
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