STATS

Well, it killed my soul a little to do it, but I wouldn’t be the Creepy Query Girl without some Querying Stats to offer. So this morning I went rummaging through my email to try and compile some numbers. As some of you might remember, both of these manuscripts saw major R&R’s with an agent who left the industry. 

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?  

Back in the Saddle

Yesterday, I sent out a query letter for the first time in almost a year. Between the baby, and the revision for the agent and awaiting the feedback-that-would-never-come, I just didn’t have the motivation to re-enter the query trenches before now.

A part of me still doesn’t.

But, I’ve been wading in my pity pool long enough. Truth is, I worked damn hard on that manuscript and it deserves another go-around, no matter how draining and life-sucking querying can be. So yesterday I re-twerked (can we still use the word this way or does it officially mean ‘to shake one’s buttocks in the air?’) my old query and began the process of re-composing an agent list. And even though I’m not looking forward to the ups and downs, I have to admit, sending out that first query was like re-lighting an old fire.

On a personal note- the baby weight is finally off. Thanks, in part, to the fact that Phoebe is nearing the 20 lb mark at six months old. #worriedmybabyisagiant. 

And it took a while but I’m finally over the disappointment of what-could-have-been if we’d gone through with the move to Brittany. Life is settling back down into its usual routine and this weekend I found myself scanning old manuscripts and partials, looking for inspiration even though I didn’t think I’d find it.

But one of the stories I’d begun before giving birth snagged my attention. I read through the first three chapters, twerking things here and there (yes, I’m determined to use this word the way God intended). And before I knew it, I was adding to it, just a little bit. No more than 250 words or so. But that’s more than I’ve written in a very long time, so it felt good.

Now, this isn’t a story I think I can get published. It’s too been-there-done-that- the kind of urban fantasy the market is completely saturated with at the moment.

But it’s just where I want to be, right now. (does that make sense?) And it has me writing. So I figure, why not?

Have you ever had a project just for you? Something you’ve never shown someone and isn’t intended for publication of any kind?

Is Anyone Still Querying?

I’ll be honest. I haven’t sent a query letter out in ages. That doesn’t mean I've given up or don’t have material out there with agents. There’s still one full out with an agent who seems to have dropped off the face of the planet, and a big R&R I finished in December with an agent who I’m really looking forward to hearing from.

But that’s it. 

Every book I write, it’s the same vicious cycle: I get an idea I can run with, write like a maniac, finish the book, get excited, spend the necessary time revising and going back and forth with betas before that crucial moment where it’s time to query. I have an insane list of agents who represent the kind of books I write. I’ve done the research. And sure, those first few queries are always filled with blind optimism that ‘this will be the one!’. 

And time and time again, I came close, but no cigar. 

The last year, however, my process has been stunted. Sure, I’ve written 20k here, or 30k there on a couple different projects. But I lost interest in them before I could make it to the next step. Add in some personal drama and an R&R rejection that left me gutted for a few months and you’ve got the crazy mess that is my current creative well.

As you can see from my last blogpost, I’m not going to put pressure on myself to start the process anew. But I can’t help feeling kind of like the kid that stays home to work on the farm while all his friends go off to college. 

Or the middle-aged woman who’s still looking for Mr. Right while all her girlfriends settle down and start popping out pink bundles of joy.

So many of my writer friends have moved on. They’ve either given up, or gone forward. They’ve signed with agents. Or small presses. Or decided to self publish their first books. Their goals have changed. Their priorities and how they spend their time has changed. They've traded in agent-search sites, querying and craft-honing for goodreads ratings, amazon reviews and sales and marketing... 

Which is good. 

It’s what we’re supposed to do, right? We’re supposed to move on and move forward.

And while I’m excited, proud, and envious of all of my writer friends who have advanced in the process, I can’t help feeling like the pool of people still actually querying agents is getting smaller and smaller. 

I know that self-pubbing and small presses have become increasingly popular. But has the general consensus become that querying agents is no longer the next logical step when you want to become a successful published writer? Is anyone still querying? Or am I holding onto a quickly-shrinking iceberg?

Wait- That Can Happen??

Maybe I’m naive. But I never really thought about the dangers of sharing one of my book ideas on the internet. To be honest, I don’t usually share ideas for my work-in-progresses. -Not because I’m wary, but because I never know if the idea will actually turn into a real book until the book is completely written. 

I do, however, often share pitches, queries and blurbs for my full manuscripts. Because, what are the chances that someone takes that information and writes a whole new book using the same premise? Or actually pitches that book? And gets an agent with that book before I do? Or an actual BOOK DEAL before I do, using that premise? After all, I’ve got a head start and have put my blood, sweat and tears into that book. No way could someone just come along and write a book from scratch using my premise and get to the finish line before me. Right?

I didn’t think the chances were that high. But apparently, it can happen!

I read this post over the weekend that had many writing bloggers shocked and appalled at a situation that arose when the author discussed a premise, outline, and partial manuscript with an online friend. The friend then cut off contact for awhile and when she re-appeared, it was with an agent and book deal in hand...using the original author’s premise and pitch! 

Holy Crap!

I mean, of course I’ve experienced idea envy. There were a few queries up for WriteOnCon that had me salivating at their premise, thinking ‘OH! Why couldn’t I have thought of that!’. But to then go on and write a whole new book using their premise and pitch it to agents would be theft, really.

In the situation above, it wasn’t a full manuscript in question but a pitch, unfinished partial, and discussion of the premise. Writers will write, and sometimes, especially if you’ve been in a rut, it can be tempting to jump on someone else’s idea if it finally gets you writing again. I think, though, if  you find yourself really really really inspired by someone else’s idea (like, it keeps you up at night and has characters talking to each other in your head) then you should, at least, approach the original author. 

Be Honest.

There’s no shame in asking.  Or just letting the author know with a ‘Hey! Your book idea really has my creative juices flowing and is keeping me up at night and is basically writing itself in my mind beyond all control. I may or may not write a book using the same idea, but in any case- I just wanted to be honest and let you know.’

Or

‘If you ever decide not to go through with writing the book about _____, or are moving on with something else, or putting it on the back burner, please let me know because the idea has really taken hold in my mind and I’d like to write about it.’

There’s no need to put on your sneaky, devious, guilty pants and go behind a fellow author’s back. We are all in the same boat and struggling with the same things. This community is about support and even though we all want to climb out of the pit and into the light, stepping on a fellow writer in order to get closer to the top isn’t the way to do it.

What would you do if you found yourself with an all-consuming desire to write using someone else’s premise? Ignore the impulses and try to move on? Write the book as long as the creativity lasts but never pitch it? Would you tell the original author or just keep it to yourself?  Are you guys wary of sharing your book ideas on the internet before they’re written? What about after you have a full manuscript in hand?

Are Agents Still Worth It?

Let’s face it. Being in the query trenches...well, it sucks. Yup, that’s the word. It totally sucks. It’s time consuming and chuck full of highs and lows, (okay. mostly low low lows) rejection and disappointment.

And sometimes I wonder: why do I do this to myself? Why do I bother? I’ll never get an agent. Especially now that publishers are cutting down their lists, and agents are taking on less clients. And with all the options writers have today- an agent isn’t even essential anymore if you want to be published! So, why put myself through this torture?

Sometimes I feel naive, or pig-headed in my determination to find an agent. I wonder if I’m being old fashioned or that my quest could be detrimental to my career, especially when I see other self-pub authors coming out with two or three books a year and already making a living self-publishing. That could be me!- if I’d just give up the ghost and concentrate on making a self-pub career happen. 

 In today’s publishing climate, it’s true that agents, editors, and traditional publishing houses may be losing some of the power they once wielded. Authors can take things into their own hands now a’days and publish their books, however and whenever they want. They have the option of contracting out copyediting, formatting, and cover design or going it themselves. They can choose the price of their books, how much they want to market and what avenues they’ll use for such. 

And just like in traditional publishing, there are ‘break out’ novels and bestsellers, and authors who are able to gain a decent wage writing books, which is all any author can really hope for. So why bother with an agent at all?

I’ve heard it said that signing with an agent isn’t worth it anymore. And for some authors, this might be true. Why pay someone 15% of your profits when you can publish your books without their help? Why go traditional when you can earn a higher percentage of royalties through self-publishing?

Well, despite this logic, I’ve come to the conclusion that having an agent is worth it, especially after reading this post by Kristi Helvig, YA writer. 

And it’s not just because I hope to publish traditionally one day. Like most other writers out there, I’ve given self-publishing some serious thought. But after contemplating both sides of the coin, I feel that having an industry professional in my corner has so many more advantages than disadvantages. It’s what I want and it’s what I’ll continue to strive for, even if it means feeling like I’m voluntary wading through writer’s purgatory for a few more years (God, please don't be more than a few more years!:).  For those of you like me, determined to find an agent come hell or high water, please check out Kristi’s post. It definitely gave me food for thought and renewed motivation.

Does still being in the query trenches and looking for an agent ever make you feel like a boob?  If you've decided to jump start your career without an agent, do you think you'll still pursue an agent in the future for things like rights negotiation or a tradi contract?

Hard to Swallow

Pride, that is, for those of you who’s thoughts immediately turned pervy (you know who you are:) A few of you might remember this post from several months ago in which I manifested my grief at being passed over by an agent after multiple revise & resubmits. I was, in a word, devastated.

And even though the agent had showed interest in some of the other projects I’d mentioned while in contact with her, and told me to re-query with anything in the future, it took me a long time to actually take her up on that offer. 

Because, to be honest, I felt like I’d been left at the altar. And wasn’t sure if re-querying that same agent would make me dumb, or naïve, or a glutton for punishment. The emotions were still raw and it took lots of sushi, wine, querying, revising old projects, starting new projects, oh, and day dreaming of self-publishing and by-passing the crummy querying trenches all together, for me to finally cool down enough to realize that I wasn’t left at the altar at all. 

While it’s hard to cut out the emotions that go along with exposing your work to professionals, the emotions really do need to be put aside. The relationship between a writer and their agent is a professional one. There’s no crying in baseball, people. And as a professional, the agent gave me a lot to think about. She challenged me and made me delve into revisions, reworking my manuscript in ways I’d never had to before.  She made my book stronger, in the end; saw something in my work and went the extra mile to help me make it better, which is more than any other agent has done for me yet. 

I finally decided to submit an older manuscript the agent had shown interest in. It took her awhile to get back to me, but when she did, she’d read the manuscript in its entirety and wanted me to think about rewriting and resubmitting-  turning the book into a stand-alone novel instead of the first in a trilogy. 

Now, these aren’t your quick-fix type of revisions and I was hesitant at first, since I was hoping to do more with the story in future novels. But she answered my questions, gave me her professional insight into why she thought it would work better as a singleton and I had to admit, she was right. 

I swallowed my pride and did what was in my work’s best interest, professionally. And I encourage all of you to do the same. Has your project or query seen revisions? Don’t be afraid to re-query agents on your list who turned you down before. You might be surprised. Does an agency have a ‘no from one is a no from all’ stipulation? Query a second agent in the agency anyway, especially if there was more than one that looked right for your work. 

As for me, this month will be devoted to completely revamping the novel with the agent’s suggestions in mind. Will this lead to a contract? I have no idea. But, the bottom line is, revising and editing according to professional feedback is something every published writer needs to be able to do, no matter where they are in the process; agented, un-agented, out on submission with publishers, or getting a book ready for the printing press. It’s something I need to learn to do, and do better, if I ever want to make it. 

Have you ever had to swallow your pride for the sake of your manuscript? Did the outcome result in a stronger project and/or a stronger you?

The Flaw

A couple weeks ago, I got a rejection email from an agent who had requested a partial manuscript.  She was really nice and supportive and enthusiastic about my work. But inevitably, she passed due to some writing and grammar mistakes she’d noticed. And, from looking at my synopsis, she wasn’t sure the major plot issues would be resolved satisfactorily. 


Now, I should take heed, right? Be honored that an agent went out of their way to give me specific feedback? But to be honest, all I could think was ‘well, that’s a shame. If she liked my writing as much as she professed to and laughed out loud so much, she probably would’ve been pleasantly surprised, had she kept reading.’ Things like this remind me just how flawed the path to traditional publication can be.

I imagine manuscripts going into an agent’s inbox like a used-car lot.  Some cars are in better shape than others. Some run but still need serious work in order to get you anywhere.  But in the end, any of them could get you where you’re going eventually and each of them is perfect for a specific kind of driver.


But there’s only one customer in the whole lot. 


The Agent.


And The Agent will only look at cars of a specific make, model and color. At this point, they’re not sure how much work a car needs or if it even runs. But they decide they’ll only take the metallic green BMWs for a test spin.


Out of the ten cars that perk their interest, two won’t start, three need serious work, four need some subtle reparations but could easily shine, and one is in tip-top condition.


But, didn’t I tell you? The agent has a very limited budget. And what they secretely hope is to find a brand-new model amongst all these used cars. A diamond in the rough. Something that will take them for miles and miles. In short- they’re looking for reasons not to buy one of these used ones, still holding out for that spanking-new dream car.


But even so, she takes five-out-of-those-ten cars for a test run. 


Three don’t make it past the driveway. One has a funny smell. Another has a plush interior. The Agent wanted leather. The third....well the third’s seat just didn’t fit her ass the right way.


The model that’s in the best shape is driven all the way to the local Mcdonalds. The Agent orders a value meal. She eats in the car. She thinks this car might be okay! It runs well. Gets her where she wants to go. But then, on the way back to the dealership, she realizes it has a funny smell too. Kind of like fried onions. (hmn. Wonder why?) She passes.


The last car doesn’t run as well. It also has a smell, but it smells a little like vanilla and cinnamon. The interior is plush but, even though The Agent prefers leather, the seat fits her ass just right. In short, it’s not exactly what she wanted. It’s what she didn’t know she wanted- a car that gets her where she wants to go and is a joy to ride in.


So she takes the car. She repairs the car and takes it to a manufacturer/distributor and convinces them to have a thousand more models made just like it for the general public. Not because it runs the best. Or because it’s the shiniest or a lot of people will look at that car and think ‘Oh, I’d love to take that one for a spin!’. But, because she enjoyed being in the car. So she figures others will too.  After all, she’s got a few editor friends who’s asses are shaped just the same way as hers. 


But it won’t be the case for everyone. There were a lot of other colors, makes and models in that used-car lot that may never see the light of day. And if one-hundred avid drivers of BMW’s were allowed into the lot, instead of that one agent, maybe 75% would have preferred the blue metallic over the green or wouldn’t have pulled into that Mcdonalds and made the tip-top model smell like onions. Everyone is different. Yet, what is brought into the traditionally published world is based on the personal tastes of a privileged few.


And that, right there, is the tragic truth of the matter.  *sigh*


There’s no doubt  that the path to traditional publication is flawed and the huge burst in popularity of some self-published titles only proves this theory. Did you ever have a moment where ‘the flaw’ became abundantly, painfully clear and discouraging? Do you think, in light of recent developments in the publishing industry, things should change? 

Try to Enjoy It

This weekend, I clicked on a trending article on facebook (as I often do) and got caught up for a good fifteen minutes by the content (as I often do).  Except this time, instead of learning about Snooki’s fake tan or the existence of a life-sized Barbie doll in Russia (she’s really creepy looking), this link lead me to something that made me feel more inspired than I’ve felt in a really long time.

The moment he began to speak, I was entranced. And it wasn’t just the effect of his beautiful lilting accent or speaking voice (although that definitely helped:). It was because every piece of advice he gave had been gained through years of experience. It was also dispensed with a sense of humor and a lot of sincerity and I couldn’t help but lean forward in my chair, eagerly absorbing the priceless knowledge that Mr. Gaiman had gleaned from his eventful career.

In the closing of the commencement address, Gaiman says the best piece of advice he ever got (but never followed) was from Stephen King who remarked that Neil was doing really great work and that he should try to ‘enjoy it’.

Gaiman explained that he regretted not taking more time to enjoy where he was in the process. When all of his success came, he spent most of his time worrying and pushing himself for the next thing instead of stopping and looking around him and feeling content with where he was and what he’d accomplished.

And it occurred to me that, even if where I am in the process sucks– I can still enjoy it. Because no matter where we are in the process, there are always going to be parts of it that suck. And if we can't learn to enjoy it now, we could very well miss out later.

#1 I write. Therefore I am a writer. Amateur or unpublished or aspiring aside-Writing is what I love and when I do it, everything feels better no matter what’s going on around me. I can enjoy that.

#2 I have a mountain of rejections in my inbox.  But I also have a good pile of requests. My full manuscripts are out with four agents right now and even if all of them come back with a rejection, I have those rejections because I’m out there trying– writing new material and querying and keeping at it.  And, despite the difficulty, I can enjoy that knowledge.

#3 Blogging and making connections through social networks can take time away from writing (and everything else in your day to day lives). But it can also make you a stronger writer. My blog keeps me on my toes. The writers I’ve met have provided insight and support and some have even helped me better my craft.  Yes, it’s easy to get time-sucked into social networking but that’s only because this community is so damn fun!  And the time spent getting to know a lot of you has been just as enjoyable as #1, and much more enjoyable than #2:)

So I ask, what is your favorite part of where you are right now – whether it be in life or in writing?

STATS

QUERIES: sent for KISSING FOR COFFEE: 44

Outright rejections: 15

Requests for full: 5

Rejections of full:  4

Soul-crushing rejection of an exclusive revise & resubmit that blocked off querying for six months: 1

No reply: 24

CRITIQUING PROJECTS:  I’m currently in the middle of critiquing one MG story (although I’ve never written or critiqued anything MG before:) and I have one regency short story I’m looking forward to critiquing before I’ll be open to taking on new projects from my fellow bloggers.

WRITING: After KISSING FOR COFFEE’s overhaul, I’m leaving that manuscript alone for awhile.  I’m currently outlining a new YA Romantic Comedy that I hope to begin writing before this two week vacation is over.  I’m also hoping to revamp FOSSEGRIM and start on the sequel (of a trilogy) – all designated for ebook publication at some point in the whenever-I-get-to-it.

REAL LIFE: As I’ve mentioned, the kiddies and I are on ‘vacation’ for two weeks and the hubs has Wednesdays and Thursdays off.  Which pretty much means my two weeks of indentured servitude has begun.  It would seem my husband and children are incapable of happiness without my constant presence and input.  I should be grateful, I suppose. But instead of spending the day lounging around and drinking coffee while basking in writerly bliss- I’ve now got three kids and one husband to keep occupied less they drive me up a wall.  Which brings me to my next point:

BLOGGING:  I will be sticking to my regular Monday/Wednesday/Friday schedule despite the time constraints of the next two weeks and hopefully be able to dedicate an afternoon or two to visiting and commenting all the blogs I miss so much.  But again, I’m feeling much the blogging bum under the bridge.

How are all of you doing?  What are your querying/writing/real life/ blogging stats?

Dream Agent RE: YOUR MANUSCRIPT

*Gasps*  Oh no.  It’s only been a few days since I resubmitted. This can’t be good. *clicks on email*

Dear Katie,

Thank you for allowing me to read your revised manuscript.

Okay. Harmless enough so far…

Unfortunately…

Oh.

Shit. 

The ‘unfortunately’. - The link that severs the good from the bad.  The equivalent of an executioner’s axe in the writing world.  Shit shit shit shit shit shit…(this word seemed to repeat without cease in my mind for the remainder of the interlude)

I’m afraid the changes just weren’t enough to…

Oh SHIIIIIT! *clutches chest*.  Oh God. I’ve been hit. OUCH!  Ouch ouch ouch ouch ouch!!!  This HURTS! *Takes deep breaths and moves on.*

I’m very sorry but at this point I can’t offer any more…

OH Noooooooo! *clutches stomach * I think I’m going to puke.

I wish you all the best in your writing endeavors…

*Mouth hangs open in grief, hands reaching towards the sky*  WHYYYYYYYYYY!!!?

*Buries face in hands and struggles to breath for a minute. Looks up between her fingers*

Oh God, it’s still there.

*closes email*

What do I do now?  Should I write back?  Maybe I should write back…*Looks at her hands and wonders why they don’t answer. Starts typing.*

Dear Agent,

I’d like to thank you for the time you took on my manuscript. I wish I could say more but I’m currently dying a slow, painful, bloody, emotional death…

…Watching my ripped-out heart beat outside my body

…And planning a video for youtube

…WHYYYY DO YOU HATE ME????

Okay.  Maybe I shouldn’t write back. 

This is far too emotionally raw. I’ll just go have a drink, chill out, and watch some mindless television for a bit.

*FIVE drinks later*

Dear Agnet,

I thanks you for all your time and fantasmic feedback.  You da bom.  I juss wanna say I try SO HARD!  So. hard… You broke my heart, man. But in the words of the great, late, Whitney- I will always love you…………..SdvUIHILILILILILILILILILILILILILILILILN

*passes out, face down on the keyboard*

***side note: Yes, I did.  No, I didn’t.  And this is in NO way the real letter that I received (which was much more personal and kind) but you get the gist***

So, I’m going to continue to submit my manuscript elsewhere and I have other projects in the works which I’m focusing on. Despite the roller coaster of emotions, working with an agent was a fantastic experience.  Bottom line is, I’m still here.  A little more battered and blue in the self-esteem department but I’m still here. Sushi and wine are helping sooth the pain but I’m still not completely ‘over it’, of course.

What do you guys do to get over a really tough rejection?

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Well, I’ve finished up the very last touches on the revisions for the agent and I’m pretty sure it’s ready to be sent off.

And yet, I just can’t seem to bring myself to do it.

I’m terrified.

The truth is, once I ‘hit send’- that’s it.  The agent probably won’t get back to me about it for awhile but once she does, it could very well be the end of a fantastic experience.

Or the beginning of a new one.

I’ve been disappointed before. Very disappointed.-So disappointed that I’ve actually had to ask myself the question:

 ‘Should I stay or should I go?’

I know I’ve said that just staying in the game is an accomplishment but sometimes— after three years, four manuscripts, and countless rejections- it just doesn’t feel like enough.

Sometimes I feel like I’ll never ever make it- no matter what I do, how hard I try, or how many years I give this. 

So what’s the point?  Why keep doing this to myself? Would anyone really care if I just dropped out of the running? Or went with self publishing like so many frustrated writers are doing now a’days?

This moment is the closest I’ve ever come to that next step. The closest I’ve ever come to achieving my dream.

And once I ‘hit send’ the ball is no longer in my court. No control over what happens next.  And sometimes I hate that fact - that I can keep writing, and keep trying to do better, but in the end, it’s not only up to me whether or not I become a traditionally published author.

It’s up to fate, and to a multitude of individuals that I have yet to meet.

I almost feel like when I ‘hit send’, I’ll be giving up in some way.  Because I’m just not sure I’ll be able to bounce back from this one like I did with the others, you guys.  If a detailed rejection on a full could have me questioning my place here- what’s going to happen if I fail when things count the most?

Ever feel like self doubt and fear is keeping you from moving forward?

In an Agent's Shoes

It’s hard to come to terms with the fact that the manuscript we’ve so carefully crafted, re-read, re-written, re-thought, and spent so much time, love, effort, sweat, and tears on goes right from our loving embrace and...

...straight into an agent’s never-ending slush pile.

 -Where we know it will sit in line with hundreds of other manuscripts and risk being avoided, skipped over, or skimmed through if the literary gods look not upon us and the circumstances aren’t in our favor.

It stinks. BUT, I have to say, these last few months— with ebook prices going down and the many many many authors coming out of the woodwork with promotions for their self-pubbed books, my kindle has definitely gotten a little crowded.

My expectations have also gotten higher.

And my attention span has gotten shorter.

And the number of books I actually read all the way through has diminished shamefully.

In the last few months alone I have started five different books and only gotten about a third of the way through four of them before becoming disappointed or disinterested. A year ago this would have been unheard of in katieland!

But it made me realize, if I get overwhelmed just logging through the lists of recently published books and have a hard time getting through stories I’ve paid money for, how hard must it be for an agent to find time and attention for all the pitches that pass through their inbox?

It’s true that agents and editors might let some good stuff slip through their fingers.

But in a perfect world, agents and editors must be pretty amazing creatures- with a love for words and a thirst for stories so profound that they’re able to give every single pitch their full attention and read through chapters of non-client books with a keen eye and an open mind.

I, in any case, would obviously make a pretty crummy slush reader. But it’s reassuring to think that, in a perfect world (I emphasize), the people reading slush are a lot more attentive, patient and open minded than myself.

Do you think YOU could deal with a slush pile objectively?

**I want to thank you all so much for your kind words, thoughts and prayers on Monday’s post. And a special thank you to those who have contacted me by email and shared their own heart-breaking stories. It’s going to be a tough time for awhile but I know I’m not alone in my experience or my grief and that my family and I will be okay so thank you.**

STATS

QUERIES- sent for KISSING FOR COFFEE since September:  32

Rejections: 13

Requests:  4

No responses: 15

Still waiting on one full and one R&R

NANOWRIMO- has handed my arse back to me, tied in a pretty white bow made from my very own flag of surrender.  I’m sad to report that I pretty much stopped writing the first week.  My competitive side kept trying to make me go back to it but the truth is I don’t think I can write anything I’ll be proud of in 30 days and time is too precious for me to waste it on a project I’m not 100% in love with.

REAL LIFE- I’m currently doing Thanksgiving with my French students.  It’s amazing how many French people have no concept of what Thanksgiving is or why we celebrate it.  I’ve heard it referred to as the ‘American Christmas’ or ‘the victory over Indians day’.   These people must have gotten their lines crossed somewhere and it is a personal pleasure of mine to teach French kids the truth about this fantastic holiday.

BLOGGING- Thank you guys so much for all of your kind comments about my blogging breakdown.  I’m still sticking to a Monday/Wednesday/Friday schedule even though time for visiting and commenting has gone down considerably.  The thing is, living overseas, I don’t usually post my blog until 1 pm (7 am US time) in order to take part in the usual visiting/commenting banter with the Americans doing their morning blogging.  But now that I’m working four afternoons a week, I have to post my blog via phone and don’t get to actually sit down to catch up until after the kiddies are in bed at night and by then I’ve pretty much missed everything going on in bloglandL  Hoping to catch up over the holiday vacation!

How are all of you doing?  What are your querying/writing/real life/blogging stats?

The Next Step

You’ll probably notice me getting a little quieter over the next week or so.  Yes, part of it is that I went back to work Monday and have been in a whirlwind ever since.  Today, for example, I’m going to be attending an all-day teachers training seminar with a hundred anglophone students right off the boat.  It should be interesting.

But the biggest reason I haven’t been around this week is that I’m doing revisions on my recent manuscript. 

But not just any revisions. 

This revision is based on agent notes. 

And not just any agent,

but THE agent I was most excited about. 

If you’ve been following this blog for awhile you’ll know that in Creepy Query Girl’s world, this is huge.  After wading through the query trenches for two years with three different manuscripts, this is the first time an agent has shown enough interest to actually READ the manuscript in its entirety and offer ideas as to how to make it better.

At first I panicked.  What if I can’t pull off what she has in mind?  What if I have to tear the whole thing apart? Trash the story?  Or what if she has some kind of existentialist ideas and I have re-write the whole thing from the point of view of a cockroach?  Or make my main character Australian?  I don’t know how to write an Australian accent!!!  WHAT AM I GOING TO DO!???

*ahem*

But when I actually received the notes, it made me see why agent feedback is so valuable.  She doesn’t want me to trash my story.  The story is what interested her in the first place!  Instead I’m focusing on fleshing out certain characters, tweaking plot details, and revisiting the ending.  It’s not exactly child’s play for a revision hater like me, but totally do-able and in the end I’m positive my manuscript will be stronger for it. 

Will this lead to representation?  God, I would love that.  But even if for some reason it doesn’t work out, this experience and the benefits my manuscript is receiving from it is priceless and I couldn’t be more thankful.

If It Doesn't Happen Fast- It's Not Gonna Happen

Do you ever feel this way about querying?  I know it’s happened to me.  My final draft was given the go-ahead from betas.  I was so excited to share the premise and my characters with agents and when those first few queries went out, I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best.

And then nothing happened.

I tweaked my query.  Went over my first chapter with a fine toothed comb.

I queried some more.

REQUESTS!  Yay!  This was really going to happen!  In two weeks time I just might have myself an agent!  After all, that’s how it happened for...  (insert the hundreds of published authors who found their agent right away). 

But then the requested material came back with an ‘I’m sorry, but...’

Months went by and the cycle got old.  And then I felt like ‘well, if it didn’t happen for this book in the first six months of querying agents- it isn’t gonna happen.’  I gave up and moved on to a new project.

But should I have given up on the project if it wasn’t taken on by an agent in the first six months?  If one out of ten agents requested the material and eight out of eight didn’t want to commit for whatever reason, is it over?  Is my book really not worthy of being read or did I just not find the one agent who likes it as much as my betas did? How do I know that if I don’t just keep going and querying, it might get into the right hands?  

I think this is a dilemma a lot of writers today face.  On one hand- if it doesn’t happen fast, it doesn’t happen because we give up!

On the other, some published authors query their books for YEARS, hitting up hundreds of agents before finally finding ‘the one’. 

And on a more depressing note- some query for YEARS, hit up hundreds only to never be taken on at all.  (kill me now)

How do you feel?  If you believe your book should be out there but it’s just not happening, do you move on?  Or do you continue to query come hell or high water?  Do you think if it doesn’t happen fast, it’s not gonna happen at all?

Spoon Full of Sugar

So, after Monday’s post I can honestly say I will never ever read material that is already out with an agent.

  

Before I send it?- Yes!

After I receive a rejection?- Absofrickin’lutely!

But never ever while it’s already out there and there’s nothing I can do to change it.  There’s no reason to put myself through the torture.  Thank you all for your kind comments and advice!  Glad to know I’m not the only one.

Still no word from the agents but I have been in this situation before, of course, with another book.  And at the time, the agents both sent very kind letters. 

Pass letters.

They say a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down.  But Pass Letters are kind of like poison.  No amount of sweetness can counteract the fact that they kill your soul a little.  I’m really not looking forward to going through that again.  Which is why I was completely inspired by Rachelle Gardner’s post this morning about Pass Letters.  She features a whole bunch of quotes from pass letters sent out by agents and editors for books that eventually went on to sell with publishers!

This couldn’t have come at a better time for me so THANK YOU GoodAgent Rachelle! 

Do YOU recognize any of those pass reasons?  I know I’ve seen at least one or two in my past pass letters.  Still stings:)

It's the GREAT AGENT Charlie Brown!!!

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!

When a Query Quits

I’ve never consciously stopped querying one of my projects.  It’s something that just kind of happened with each one over time.  I queried my first book pretty widely.  I must've hit up about a hundred agents.  I got seven or eight requests that never led anywhere before I moved on and wrote my second book, consequently placing my first ms on the shelf.

Then I wrote the contemporary romance and only queried that for a month or two because I felt it wasn't 'the one'.  It had been a lot of fun to write and was a great exercise in everything I'd learned but it still wasn't ready so I only sent out about twenty queries for that and had about three requests that didn't go anywhere.

I finished FOSSEGRIM and started querying it in October.  I've sent out around 80 queries and have had seven requests which resulted in rejections.  I didn’t think I’d give up with this one because I really felt like it was ready and just needed to find the right person.  

However, now that my new YA romance is underway I’ve pretty much stopped querying FOSSEGRIM without realizing it.  I sent out the last query over a month ago and since then I haven’t been actively seeking representation for it.  I do plan on querying agents with my new project when it’s ready, though. 

So, I guess I’ve decided to move on.  But that doesn’t mean I’m giving up on FOSSEGRIM all together.

I’ve done a lot of thinking about what I can do with FOSSEGRIM.  It was originally meant to be a trilogy- each book told through the eyes of one of the main characters.  And after doing research on the new trends in Ebooks, self publishing and Epublishing- I’m thinking FOSSEGRIM would be a good fit for that route and will begin looking into it soon.

When do you finally stop querying agents with a project and why?