So the stats here are from after those rewrites.
Kissing for Coffee was my first attempt at an agent rewrite and even though
it took me awhile to get over not getting signed after all that work, I still
queried it pretty regularly for awhile and it garnered a bit of interest. The
full manuscript is still currently out with two agents.
KISSING FOR COFFEE
Queries sent: 46
Replies: 21
Rejections: 16
Requests for
material: 5
Pending replies: 2
I only started re-querying
Fossegrim in September and haven’t
queried it very widely, although I really should since it saw substantial agent
revisions in the spring. I’m currently waiting on a reply from an agent who
requested the partial.
FOSSEGRIM
Queries sent: 10
Replies: 6
Rejections: 5
Requests for material: 1
Pending replies: 1
Even though I haven’t
abandoned the dream of traditional publishing, I admit that my motivation to
query agents has waned. It’s frustrating, time consuming, and the return rate
is so extremely slow, I can’t help dragging my feet when it comes to looking for, and querying new prospects. Plus, I admit that now
a’days, self-publishing seems to be a more viable career move for debut authors
than attempting the agent route. At least, when you read articles like this:) So that also chips away at what is left of my motivation. I’m sure,
however, my tune will probably change once I have a new story ready to put
out there:)
How about you? Are any of you out there still
querying? Do you find yourself querying less and less as time goes by?
21 comments:
Hate to say it but so many of the debut authors I interview have to query lots more agents than this to find one. I haven't queried yet. I'm not sure my finished MG novel is strong enough. I've started a new YA one I hope to query.
There's no right way to go with publishing. Whichever way is best for you is what you should follow.
It is so hard to query, so emotionally draining. And it's so hard to keep doing it.
I have a novel that I queried widely, finally a couple of agents told me that while they loved the book, they didn't think they could sell and suggested I contact small publishers. So, I'm doing that, but it's just as soul-sucking as querying.
:) I agree Natalie. But before the revisions I sent something like 80 queries for FOSSEGRIM and 60 for KISSING FOR COFFEE so I exhausted a few avenues. These are just the ones sent after the revision. Still, I need to get hopping.
I landed my agent after completely reworking one of my books for another agent. That agent declined, but I ended up with an agent at a much bigger agency...
Three pending replies is still good.
I never even tried to query agents and went straight for publishers. I knew I didn't stand a chance otherwise.
Yes, I'm querying my novel Being Anne Boleyn at the moment. So far, no luck. But I've only queries 5 agents so far.
I did self-publish my book The Swimmer's Assistant and that's actually been making some money. Not a whole lot, mind you, but it's something at least.
Oops that's QUERIED not QUERIES. Sorry.
Remember, it's all about finding the right person/fit for you. Look at you - you've gotten requests. That is awesome! Keep the faith.
I did the self-publishing thing back before the big boom -- back when it was still a dirty word. Still, I saw some success with it.
Having a really good agent as your advocate will get you better deals and more exposure and money (at least in terms of advances), but the process is still very slow. I see self-pubbers put out books at triple or quadruple the rate that mine come out.
Of course, that doesn't always speak to the quality of those books or how successful they are.
I myself have wondered about the book my agent didn't sell (and the two sequels to it) and whether I might someday put that out on my own.
Reading about the struggles of every author trying to succeed, I would say you have done well with sticking with it. The long process will make victory for you that much sweeter.
Enjoy your day CQG.
Querying is like a job in itself. I feel the pull every now and then to try it, but in truth...too lazy lately. Wish you the best of luck though!
I've learned that querying is a way of life for most writers. I got a book deal for one (possibly) two of my books, but with my third I have to query to other publishers. And then your agent essentially has to query publishers. If you think agents are slow at getting back, just wait until your agent sends off your proposal to publishers. We're talking a good six months in some cases.
Not trying to be a downer. I just wish I would have been prepared before hand. The good news is you are getting requests. I think you would do great at self-publishing (you have the platform), but I also think a publisher would be insane not to snatch you up.
Either way you have all us here to support you. Just saying ;)
Those stats seem pretty good to me. But, I can understand your frustration. I hope you do take the publishing route that will suit you best!
I'm not doing any querying, but I hear it can be a slow process. I hope it goes well for you.
I am still querying--though it's been a looong while since I've queried something. Working on cleaning up an MS now so I can start again.
Best of luck to you on the pendings!
Oh my goodness. Lately all I can think about is the business of going indie. The actual business part of it and having control of my work and having a supplemental income...it's so intriguing! I've read several posts lately that really, really make it look viable and like a good path to take. Thanks for that link, I haven't read it yet! That said, I'll still query when I finish my final revisions, just to see the reaction! And your stats are great! You've hardly queried at all! Definitely keep going, but it doesn't hurt to be well-informed about all possible routes! Christy
I queried Soul Cutter 124 times before I got my agent. Like you, I saw about a 20% request rate, but most of those were later rejected. No one asked for an R&R. (I had one agent ask for an R&R on a previous book, but I didn't do it.) Keep going, never stop, and eventually you'll get there! :)
I haven't queried lately but I do have my first book coming out soon with a small pub and I'm working hard on something new. Keep writing Katie :)
I haven't queried lately but I do have my first book coming out soon with a small pub and I'm working hard on something new. Keep writing Katie :)
I haven't queried lately but I do have my first book coming out soon with a small pub and I'm working hard on something new. Keep writing Katie :)
Querying agents is such a soul-sucking experience. I did that for a while in the beginning until someone told me I could query publishers directly.
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