Beta feedback is slowly seeping in and I’m revising my MS accordingly. My query letter is set and ready to go. I assume in another week or two, I should be almost ready to query.
So why am I not excited?
In the past, I couldn’t wait to get to the part of the process where I could finally start querying. I’d be all pumped about my book and in a rush to get it out there.
But this time I feel kind of like Linus in It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. I’ll mail my letter to The Great Agent, like I do every year and sit out in the middle of a field, waiting for him to pick my pumpkin patch as being the most sincere. Family and friends don't understand why I haven't given up already. If it hasn't happened yet, it's not going to. I’ve done all this before. And every year my pumpkin patch gets passed over. But I can't get over the hope that The Great Agent really does exist.
Unlike Linus, I guess you could say I’m having trouble getting excited about the experience this time around. And yet, no matter how much I’m not looking forward to the night spent out in the cold, just waiting and hoping- I know I’ll write that letter and sit out anyway. Because you just never know…this year could be the year!
42 comments:
I really really urge you to go the small press route if this one doesn't pan out. Agents will pay more attention if you have something already out there with a reputable press :o) Good luck, honey! :o)
You always have me for support!!! I have a few others who have been through the query trenches so much that they feel the same way you do!
I've only been in them once and realized not only was my story too unique but I also knew nothing about querying!!!! Now I've got a much more detailed listing of who is matching my genre and things should go a lot smoother!!!
Like Jess said, a small press is also nice. I don't know how much more they look at you - I know it comes down to sales - so I'd be careful on that end. However there is a home for everyone.
I'm so glad you're still pushing!!!
You GO girl!!!!!! Go, go, go! Never give up, never surrender!! Yay!!! I have everything crossed for you, everything!! Good luck!! Take care
x
Yup. This could be the year.
We all know it can sometimes take awhile to land an agent, but I know that doesn't make the wait any easier. Your other commenters are correct in stating that there are so many options available to writers today, and not just one road to success. You're in the driver's seat, so you get to choose how you pursue your writing career--but it would be sad to see you lose your enthusiasm and joy, so whatever you choose, I hope it enables you to keep that passion!
It's hard to be excited when you've felt the sting of rejection, repeatedly, like we all have. I found myself making excuses NOT to query... but I finally did it this weekend. Keeping my fingers crossed for both of us.
Jess- I've querried a couple small presses with a past ms but no bites:( I'm def not giving up on my last MS- because I think its a story that deserves to be shared so I'm going to look into self publishing it in an ebook format. SO that's my next project while I query this MS traditionally. Thanks for your comments guys!
Good luck Katie. The querying process is so hard, but remember it just takes one to fall in love with your MS:)
You are probably way ahead of me, but there is also NO SUBSTITUTE for some test readers on those queries and first chapter--there are people who are really darned good at writing queries and can totally whip it into nearly foolproof... then if the first pages are ALSO that sparkly, then the RIGHT agent will want it (even though there are still a bunch who are the WRONG agents--it's too subjective to please everyone)
Good luck!!!
:hugs: I have so been there. Heck, I am there. I've got my fingers crossed for you, and when I finally get the courage up to sit in the patch again this fall, maybe we can both have a visit before the end of the year.
I know how you feel. Keep at it.
Family and friends who are not writers really don't understand the persistence needed to make forward progress in this field. And the path to publication isn't straight. It's a wickedly winding course that sometimes seems like it's headed in the wrong direction.
Personally, I admire the way you've produced wonderful stories in a variety of genres. You are a flexible writer with a multitude of talents. One of your queries is going to hit the right person at the right time who will see that -- and all the waiting will be worth it!
Plus, you can then stick your tongue out at family and friends.
I'll be sending good luck vibes your way and keeping fingers tightly crossed. And I'd also second Jessica's comment. If you don't have success with this one maybe try looking at some small presses in your genre.
I totally hear you. I mean, you already know that it's going to be an emotional rollercoaster, so I totally understand the feeling. I'm on it right now! But it's true, there are a lot more options for writers now. Agents aren't the only legitimate way to get published anymore.
Can't wait for the day when we'll have to call you CreepyPublishedGirl!
Definitely don't give up, and DO stay excited. Sometimes it gets SO hard. You can get lower than you thought possible. Waiting is a killer and rejections aren't fun, but you have to keep trying and you're right, you don't ever know! It all starts over again once you land an agent, so you have to get used to it. Good luck!
Don't give up! Keep in mind the love of your story. That's why we tread these waters and go down that road. No one understands better than a writer. Good luck!
Do NOT give up. The absolute best stories about writers getting published are the one about the writers who really worked for it...the ones who tried and tried and never gave up and then, ONE DAY, it happens.
You deserve your day!!
Shelley
Keep at it. You never know what will happen if you don't try. You know? Crossing my fingers for you! :D
Keep going. Each book you write will be better than the last - eventually one will stick and then you'll be able to revisit some of the older ones :-)
This is a perfect analogy. One letter, a few sample pages, and you hope and pray at least one person in your list of agents doesn't reject it.
Oh no! That's so sad. Don't let yourself feel that way. I've decided recently that having a positive attitude is essential. It makes the waiting much more livable too! :D Good luck on this round of querying, each time makes you better.
I feel it this IS the year. You can do it! Rejection sucks but when someone wise agent realizes your awesomeness you will forget about all the pain those rejection emails/letters gave you. Good Luck!
Keep your chin up and get those queries out there when you're ready.
I can't wait to Snoopy dance with you. : )
Keep at it, girl. Sometimes it takes years and years. That's just how it goes.
I feel really discouraged from time to time but I know, deep down, that I won't stop querying.
I'd never thought of it, but this hits the nail on the head, doesn't it?!
This year is gonna be the year! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you and me both. :)
oh... ((BIG hug))
Don't be discouraged. You know with every MS your writing grows and gets stronger, and with every round of queries, you know more, are more focused. It IS easy to lose hope, but I'm rooting for you!
GOOD LUCK!!! <3
Goodluck!
good luck, charlie brown, err Linus.
It WILL happen! Don't give up! And good luck. :)
I'm in a similar place right now, but it's my first time at the rodeo. So I'm incredibly nervous and freaking out a little. Such is the way of first times, I suppose.
I liked the Charlie Brown analogy. Peanuts are relevant to everything.
I understand. The query process is an exhausting journey! I think your feelings are very realistic. It means your gaining experience. :)
Yeah, that pretty much sums it up! :D But then you get feedback, make the changes, try try and try again, right? Good luck!
This could be it!
It just takes one.
That episode with Linus is a hit here anytime of year--the kids just watched it the other time.
Never give up, never stop trying. Yes, it's a long and hard, drawn out process. But it will be worth it in the end. At least that's what I keep telling myself.
Oh my gosh...you totally hit the nail on the head with your analogy. My friend is going through the same thing! Hang in there!
Edge of Your Seat Romance
Good luck! Don't ever quit!! It took me fifteen years, but when my ship came in it allowed me to go full-time as an author. It's worth it, so keep pushing!
Don't quit, don't hesitate!
I'm always here to support you.
A pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.
I have a Charlie Brown keychain that I look at every day as a reminder to always kick that football. :)
I'm saving all my rejection letters to wallpaper my office walls with! I haven't earned nearly enough yet, so I have a lot of querying to go.
Persistence is the hard part, but if one believes in one's product, one should keep at it.
Soon it will be time to send out my own queries!
I'm going to echo Jessica Bell. Try the small press route. The Big Six are now publishing less than 1% new authors, so chances of breaking in are shrinking like crazy. So are advances.
I finally queried a small press and had a contract within a month. I'm going to be in print again! I'm so jazzed! And the contract is so much better than anything the Big Six offers. And my book will be out in a matter of months instead of years.
The old paradigm isn't working, so agents aren't taking new writers. They're waiting for us to "prove ourselves" in the marketplace. You can do that with self-pubbing, but that's scary to me. So a small press is a great alternative.
And you know what? The day after I signed my contract, I got two requests for fulls from agents I'd queried months ago. They're for a different book from the one I have the contract for, so if they like it--great. Maybe I'll go for that Big Six publication thing. But I'll still have my small publisher for my quirkier, more fun books.
And I never have to send out another *&%#ing query!!!
Do think about it. I know what you're going through.
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