tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post5316994717216040886..comments2023-10-30T03:57:36.471-07:00Comments on Creepy Query Girl: If It Doesn't Happen Fast- It's Not Gonna HappenCreepy Query Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115161057496086972noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-69205676903174153092011-09-26T02:38:48.058-07:002011-09-26T02:38:48.058-07:00Don't give up! At least you are querying and w...Don't give up! At least you are querying and writing. I am barely doing either one. <br /><br />I have awarded you with the versatile blog award, come to www.christylasheasmith.com and check out Sunday 9/25 post to claim your prize!Christy LaSheahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00032336838120917451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-81782608574963132652011-09-25T11:25:50.326-07:002011-09-25T11:25:50.326-07:00It certainly sounds harder than ever to get a nove...It certainly sounds harder than ever to get a novel accepted, but is this not why so many people are following the ebook option first.LindyLouMachttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12282788551449445133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-76222076983106058682011-09-25T03:33:26.421-07:002011-09-25T03:33:26.421-07:00Hang in there and don't give up!!!
Kathryn Sto...Hang in there and don't give up!!!<br />Kathryn Stockett's book 'The Help' was turned down 60 times ... then ...<br />http://shine.yahoo.com/event/poweryourfuture/kathryn-stocketts-the-help-turned-down-60-times-before-becoming-a-best-seller-2523496/<br />It does get hard though. We are only human.Royce A Rattermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03081151126997369515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-64887362599270702572011-09-22T19:29:59.044-07:002011-09-22T19:29:59.044-07:00I haven't quite got to the query part yet, so ...I haven't quite got to the query part yet, so I'm living vicariously through all of you. I have to admit...I'm terrified. <br /><br />I think that just because it doesn't happen fast, doesn't mean it won't happen.<br /><br />Yet, at some point...you've gotta keep writing, even if that means new material.<br /><br />Thanks for this!Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17244475646807937843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-16773588250457287442011-09-22T13:57:00.698-07:002011-09-22T13:57:00.698-07:00I think it's totally worthwhile to keep queryi...I think it's totally worthwhile to keep querying, especially if you feel your project is the best it can be. I regret querying my novel before it was ready. I racked up so many rejections, and then the MS went through some major revisions. The only reason I'm setting my novel aside now is because I've queried almost 100 agents. I say, get to that number and then you can quit! But never stop writing. I totally believe you can do this :)Merhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17551001843052453593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-72873710816918511832011-09-22T13:49:15.986-07:002011-09-22T13:49:15.986-07:00I agree with most of the commenters: Keep going, b...I agree with most of the commenters: Keep going, because some books take a special kind of agenty mind to fall in love. But in the meantime, definitely start a new novel. It makes the process so much less stressful, because your brain is happily occupied with something creative.Gail Shepherdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16998497900316232330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-7098672470482321752011-09-22T11:46:33.467-07:002011-09-22T11:46:33.467-07:00When I finally signed with an agent, I was on the ...When I finally signed with an agent, I was on the verge of giving up. Said agent (and several others) had had my ms for MONTHS. All the success stories I'd heard were of mailing off the ms and getting "the call" the next day. Or something like that. I was sure an agent who was going to love my work would not take MONTHS. But then-- voila! It happened. It took me completely by surprise. With this book, I was determined to query 100 agents before I quit. I usually use that as a measurement rather than length of time querying. <br /><br />Yes, it definitely is frustrating. I understand! I have other shelved books to prove it. I think you know in your gut when it's time to stop and move on to the next thing.<br /><br />Whatever you do, don't give up!<br /><br />AmyA.L. Sonnichsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11358456786727534289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-91475128859508850922011-09-22T11:02:48.496-07:002011-09-22T11:02:48.496-07:00querying sux the big one. I'd usually query a ...querying sux the big one. I'd usually query a MS for a while til I was convinced it wasn't going to happen, then I'd write a new MS and start all over again. Four completed MSs later, I have an agent---LOL! So I don't know if that answers your question. <br /><br />But for the one that landed me an agent, I hadn't started querying it yet. Blog contest. Blogging wins! ;p <3LTMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05239077455322030275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-57069109093768028312011-09-22T09:52:17.847-07:002011-09-22T09:52:17.847-07:00my first book i queried for 6 months, had 35 reque...my first book i queried for 6 months, had 35 requests and 35 rejections. it came down to one word: voice.<br /><br />my second book i queried for a YEAR. nearly signed with an agent...then nearly signed with another...then decided to go straight to small presses. i've had much better luck that way! (but i'm not making an announcement...yet)Amie Borsthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06303337229388844182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-26343979757688484992011-09-22T08:27:28.836-07:002011-09-22T08:27:28.836-07:00I joined a writer's group earlier this year, a...I joined a writer's group earlier this year, and what I found most refreshing was that the majority of the group had no interest in getting published. Many of them are retired and writing because they enjoy it. There are a few published authors in the group, and one guy who went to school for publishing but now works in a different industry. It made me reflect more on writing as a craft and an enjoyable artistic outlet rather than a goal to achieve publication.<br /><br />That is more of a side note I know, but sometimes it helps to have perspective. I think the longer you keep writing and the more fun and dedication you have to the craft, you will find success. I'm a glass half full kind of girl!Stephscohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06328839483008086049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-29787056895471752302011-09-22T01:57:28.727-07:002011-09-22T01:57:28.727-07:00I would love to be able to say that I would have c...I would love to be able to say that I would have continued querying forever if I hadn't gotten an agent, but really, I don't know what I would have done. Querying is painful and soul-sucking and I was honestly pretty miserable the entire time I was doing it. I'm sending you massive good vibes! You have a great attitude!Jennifer Hillierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15783975547643539868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-35608585499023486302011-09-21T22:25:50.280-07:002011-09-21T22:25:50.280-07:00It all gets totally frustrating. I'm not read...It all gets totally frustrating. I'm not ready to query...yet, but I'm glad to read these types of post that get me thinking about what I would do if this scenario played out for me. Would I give up and move on to a new project? Would I self pub? Would I just keep plugging along? I don't know but now it is in my mind and I definitely hope the best for you and all the other writers out there!!!Amy Bealshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16862842105682261457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-35556264737255132432011-09-21T21:37:24.452-07:002011-09-21T21:37:24.452-07:00Wow, that's tough to think about. Just keep go...Wow, that's tough to think about. Just keep going. That's what all my agented friends say. Just keep on writing. :)Carolyn Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03780443388339294502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-84284684765814550492011-09-21T19:25:39.780-07:002011-09-21T19:25:39.780-07:00Hi!
Thanks for dropping by my blog today and signi...Hi!<br />Thanks for dropping by my blog today and signing up to follow. I'll join yours as well -- along with those 800+ other people!!Lisa Shaferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08141316010311729143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-54174434951530735132011-09-21T18:17:45.146-07:002011-09-21T18:17:45.146-07:00I think Connie hit the nail on the head - so much ...I think Connie hit the nail on the head - so much is timing, what's in vogue and so on. I knew a gal who sent her ms to an agent but the assistant tossed it on the TBR pile. The agent came in from lunch, bumped the pile, picked up the ms that had fallen and said, "Guess I'll read this." It was the gal's ms. She got a contract.Kittie Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07756250649095903317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-55689843258871217672011-09-21T16:46:42.333-07:002011-09-21T16:46:42.333-07:00You had better NOT be giving up on the book I read...You had better NOT be giving up on the book I read a year ago. I loved that one. <br /><br />I stopped querying my last book because I realized I could make it better. I just needed time and more writing-craft smarts before I could tackle it again.Stinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11415189347501942340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-27399164570006491862011-09-21T16:03:01.694-07:002011-09-21T16:03:01.694-07:001. Keep querying.
2. And while you query, keep rev...1. Keep querying.<br />2. And while you query, keep revising that work based on the feedback you get.<br />3. In between revising, keep writing that new project until it's ready to query, too.<br />4. Apply #1 to the second project, and keep going from there. Don't stop till you find your agent.Dianne K. Salernihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16459839567235304842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-19120664356030539162011-09-21T15:18:36.217-07:002011-09-21T15:18:36.217-07:00Oh gawd I'm so there this week. I had to repe...Oh gawd I'm so there this week. I had to repeatedly remind myself it's too soon to give up, TOO SOON!Sophia Changhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10946233873722107937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-84945525315891086332011-09-21T15:16:42.958-07:002011-09-21T15:16:42.958-07:00I move on - for a while - but I keep coming back, ...I move on - for a while - but I keep coming back, because I really do still believe in my project. So I revisit querying in doses.Ruth Schiffmannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02625363295823548969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-72970385242378783912011-09-21T15:11:32.875-07:002011-09-21T15:11:32.875-07:00This whole agent is entirely subjective. If an age...This whole agent is entirely subjective. If an agent is what you want and you know you have a good book, keep at it. Eventually, you'll find one who loves it as much as you.Maria Zanninihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01604862636922299273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-57497112442545733822011-09-21T14:45:12.402-07:002011-09-21T14:45:12.402-07:00I think it's hard to let a query go, especiall...I think it's hard to let a query go, especially after rejection after rejection after rejection. Maybe you need a little break from querying it. Step back from it, wait a few weeks, and then go back to your query letter and start sending it out like mad. Because if I felt like I had written something that truly needed to be out there, I don't know if I could let it go very easily.<br /><br />Also, I've passed on a few blog awards to you today!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12146136846875431598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-43669122556390561162011-09-21T14:39:10.076-07:002011-09-21T14:39:10.076-07:00I'm in the same boat you are, CQG. It's ha...I'm in the same boat you are, CQG. It's hard to let a query fly and then wait, and wait, and wait, and nothing, and you're not sure if the e-mail went through the first time, so you're contemplating sending a little check-up e-mail. It's a little maddening. <br /><br />If you believe in the book, and your beta readers feel it's at a good stage, I don't think it would be right to let it sit where other people can't read and enjoy it. After a while, it might be time to think about finding a good editor, some cool artists, and putting together an e-book for Amazon. It's working more and more for people these days, so it should only grow as a viable alternative to agents and traditional publishers.<br /><br />Best of luck!REINHARDT!https://www.blogger.com/profile/01809613551100700183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-29315148001168194802011-09-21T13:55:30.051-07:002011-09-21T13:55:30.051-07:00Honestly, I do the same... but usually it's be...Honestly, I do the same... but usually it's because after six months I've started working on something else, and my enthusiasm goes down for the previous book... then I reread it and think "THIS IS CRAP" and that just ruins any motivation to continue querying. :/Charlie N. Holmberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13546802577363686054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-2480617643880555682011-09-21T12:42:02.515-07:002011-09-21T12:42:02.515-07:00I guess it's a gut thing--you know when you wa...I guess it's a gut thing--you know when you want to keep going, and when you want to stop. But hold out as long as you can! You never know.Meredithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00462382909938737612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-6748131685582339312011-09-21T12:39:57.667-07:002011-09-21T12:39:57.667-07:00I queried for awhile then went to a conference and...I queried for awhile then went to a conference and signed an agent. I think it helped to meet in person. Then parted ways with said agent and signed with another, who shut her doors. Then I said, okay, done. Sent to small presses and took offers. :) Now my books are coming out and I'm happy. That being said, I'm considering the entire process all over again. LOL I NEVER give up and neither should anyone else. It doesn't mean you have to make a traditional choice, either. IMHOCiarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15628488753277495111noreply@blogger.com