5 THINGS I’VE
LEARNED IN
SIX MONTHS OF QUERYING
by PJ Switzer
They say never
start with a disclaimer but I like to break the rules ... so I’m going to start
with, you guessed it, a disclaimer.
Here it is: I
don’t have an agent yet. I’m working hard to get one but as of the writing of
this article, I am agentless. This means you are free to ignore or discount today’s
post. But don’t. There really is good stuff in here.
 |
| No, no, too hard for you. |
5. Querying is like having children. Before you start everyone tells you how hard it is.
Conversation 1 –
The Warning
You: I’m going
to query. (I’m going to have a baby.)
Friend: It’s
going to be hard. It’s the hardest thing you’ll ever do.
You: I know.
Friend: No,
it’s, like super hard. Like Wonder Woman could barely do it and she’s, you know,
Wonder Woman.
You: Got it.
Friend: I don’t
think you do.
Then you start
the querying process or have the baby and all of a sudden you get it.
You: OH MY GOSH,
this is sooooooo hard!
Conversation 2 –
The Horror Story
Friend: Are you
aware this process can take forever and people have died in the process? I
almost died. Did you know that? It was terrifying. Are you sure you really want
to do this?
You: I was until
I started talking with you.
4. Agents, agents everywhere
 |
| Will you be my agent? |
I had no idea
what I was doing when I started looking for an agent. However, in a previous
life (my early 20s) I developed some wicked research skills in the pursuit of
an advanced degree and I put them to work.
Here’s what I
did. (I don’t know if it was the best or fastest way but it’s what I did):
- Checked out the
most recent edition of Guide to Literary
Agents. (Why buy a book that’s out of date almost as soon as it’s
published?)
- Read through the
articles in the beginning.
- Found the index
in the back where agencies were listed by what genres they accepted.
- Created an excel
spreadsheet listing all the agencies.
- Went to every
agency website to learn more about them and individual agents, submission
requirements, etc.
- Filled in the
information on my spreadsheet.
There are
websites that can help with all of this and I’ll list them in the Resources
section but I still recommend making your own record. As I went along I discovered
a number of agents who weren’t listed on some of the major sites.
Now, as I send
out queries I track them on both my personal spreadsheet and Query Tracker.
RESOURCES:
Websites
Books
- Writer’s Market series
- Guide to Literary Agents series
3. There’s no such thing as “the right”
query letter.
 |
| Despite what everyone tells you. |
Query letters
are instruments of torture designed by the Devil of literature. The worst part
is there really is no one right way to write one, despite what you’ll hear from
well-meaning friends.
Conversation 3 –
The Absolute
You: I’m working
on my query letter.
Friend: Okay,
you HAVE to write it like this or an agent will never look at it.
(Two weeks
later)
You: I think I
finally have my query letter ready to go.
Different
friend: Oh no, this is all wrong. You HAVE to do it like this or agents will
just delete it.
Yes, the letter
must contain certain pieces of information but, in my experience, you’re going
to wind up rearranging that information a number of times in a number of ways not only to improve the letter but because different agents want different
things.
"Must have" elements:
- Agent’s name:
Dear Ms. Jones or Dear Mr. Brown
- Genre: Middle
Grade, Romance, YA, etc.
- Word count:
27,343 words would be listed as 27,000 words for simplicity’s sake.
- Title: This one
should be obvious but just in case it isn’t.
- Synopsis: BE
BRIEF.
- Credentials: If
you have any, make sure you list them. If not, list any writing organizations
you belong to. Hint: ANWA is one, SCBWI is another. Don’t list anything
unrelated to writing.
The formula is
simple:
Who + Circumstance
+ Conflict + Hook
Using Pride & Prejudice as our sample the
query might look something like this:
In Regency England marriage is a lady’s
only means of securing her future. This is especially true for Elizabeth
Bennett and her four sisters. However, Elizabeth is determined to marry for
love even if it means losing her home and her place in society.
Her resolve is put to the test by a
string of suitors: dashing Mr. Wickham, groveling Mr. Collins, and wealthy Mr.
Darcy. Each has his advantages and his flaws. How is Elizabeth to choose?
When disaster strikes the Bennett family,
Elizabeth quickly discovers whose affections are sincere and whose are
fleeting. But can she accept the man who offers assistance?
Well, you get
the idea.
The most
important thing I’ve learned about the letter is that it needs to represent you.
Be professional, but be yourself.
2. Rejection is no fun.
 |
| It just sucks so much! |
That sentence
should win the “Well, duh!” statement of the year. But it’s true and it’s
something you have to deal with if you’re going to try the traditional
publishing route.
Two things have
helped me deal with the painful parts of this process, prayer and a fantastic
support network.
Pray constantly
and about everything.
- Who should I
query?
- Is it time to
revise the letter AGAIN?
- Should I hang it
up and put my manuscript away for a while?
- EVERYTHING
Turn to friends
and family for encouragement.
In six months of
querying I’ve wanted to quit more times than I can count. In fact, I’ve given
up a number of times but one or more of my peeps has told me to put on my big
girl panties and get back out there. So, I have. It helps to know that others
believe in me and my writing even when I don’t. Especially when I don’t.
Conversation 4 - The Pep Talk
You: I got another rejection today. Nobody is EVER going to want my book.
Friend: I don't know what's wrong with that guy. You're book is brilliant.
You: He was kinda mean, too.
Friend: You want me to take a hit out on the agent?
You: Hmm ... let me think about it.
Rejection will
never feel good but the Spirit and loved ones can certainly take some of the
sting out of it.
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| All things are possible. |
1. Do not give up.
No matter how
hard the process gets, do not let it derail you. Start another book, and
another, and another. Revise the current letter or manuscript. Look at
self-publishing.
Whatever happens keep moving forward.
