Such a timely post, thank you! I’m getting ready to query again in the new year and I think I’ll ease up on the personalization part this time.
Anecdotal data point: I tried to personalize as much as possible last round but one agent had no information available. I thought she might be a fit because she reps similar authors. I felt nervous querying with no personalized intro, but she requested my full.
It's the time researching agents for personalization that kills me! So glad you mentioned this, first person I've heard say it's not worth it. Thank you!
This go-‘round I dispensed with the “I see by your MSWL that you like xyz” business and got straight to the point. It hasn’t hurt my full requests a bit, plus allows me a few more words to describe my novel.
This was really encouraging! I just started querying my newest work and so far I've gotten a flat 'not for me' and an offer to query another agent from a rejecting agent's agency. Hope is still high as of now.
I loved this part: “You are so convinced of that inevitability that it already feels real to you. Inside of you burns the energy of your potential, and it isn’t needy, constantly looking outside of itself for validation.” Yesterday, I found myself obsessively checking for responses and it was so distressing. Reading this today has shifted my mindset. Thank you! 🙏
I’m Querying right now! So… here’s my question- there seem to be hundreds of agents out there and very few places to sell books (really - only 5 big ones) How does that even work?
Each publishing company has a bunch of imprints, and agents can submit to more than one imprint to a publisher. It depends on the genre but for most books there ar about 25 to 30 places to submit and agents usually include a few mid-level publishers like Source, Entangled or Alcove. That said, there are less editors than just after the pandemic when many left their jobs. Sometimes it takes months to hear back and sometimes editors ghost agents, a practice that used to be unheard of.
This is such great advice! I hear so much about the personalization piece, but it isn’t going to make or break a query. I’m only at 11 queries so I’ve a long way to go! Thanks for the inspiration.
Heading back into the querying trenches next year after losing an agent, so this is very timely. The advice to query so many agents is interesting. With my last book, I stopped after thirty on the assumption I was wasting my time.
The hardest part about querying for me is how lonely it is. You're constantly putting yourself out there only to get form responses, or no responses at all. It's easy to let that get to you. This is all good advice, especially the part about mindset and knowing you deserve a seat at the table. Thank you!
Really, really needed to read this! I'm in the query trenches AGAIN (parted ways with my agent a few years ago) and I'm just so disillusioned over the entire process. I think I have a kickass story, but when I don't get any requests, it just deflates me. Sigh.
Such a timely post, thank you! I’m getting ready to query again in the new year and I think I’ll ease up on the personalization part this time.
Anecdotal data point: I tried to personalize as much as possible last round but one agent had no information available. I thought she might be a fit because she reps similar authors. I felt nervous querying with no personalized intro, but she requested my full.
Glad you found it helpful, Betsy and best of luck. I think if the project appeals it doesn't matter.
It's the time researching agents for personalization that kills me! So glad you mentioned this, first person I've heard say it's not worth it. Thank you!
In the past I would hyper personalize my queries but it didn’t seem to make a difference in full requests.
This go-‘round I dispensed with the “I see by your MSWL that you like xyz” business and got straight to the point. It hasn’t hurt my full requests a bit, plus allows me a few more words to describe my novel.
Agree. I’ve tried it both ways in the past and see very little difference in full requests.
This was really encouraging! I just started querying my newest work and so far I've gotten a flat 'not for me' and an offer to query another agent from a rejecting agent's agency. Hope is still high as of now.
So glad you found it encouraging. Best of luck. It’s hardest thing we do as writers.
I loved this part: “You are so convinced of that inevitability that it already feels real to you. Inside of you burns the energy of your potential, and it isn’t needy, constantly looking outside of itself for validation.” Yesterday, I found myself obsessively checking for responses and it was so distressing. Reading this today has shifted my mindset. Thank you! 🙏
Suzanne, I'm so glad it helped. Querying is one of the hardest tasks for writers.
This is the most down to earth, realistic post about querying I've seen in a while! 💙
Thank you, Brianna.
I’m Querying right now! So… here’s my question- there seem to be hundreds of agents out there and very few places to sell books (really - only 5 big ones) How does that even work?
Each publishing company has a bunch of imprints, and agents can submit to more than one imprint to a publisher. It depends on the genre but for most books there ar about 25 to 30 places to submit and agents usually include a few mid-level publishers like Source, Entangled or Alcove. That said, there are less editors than just after the pandemic when many left their jobs. Sometimes it takes months to hear back and sometimes editors ghost agents, a practice that used to be unheard of.
Thank you! It seems a tough game no matter what tier you are operating on.
This is such great advice! I hear so much about the personalization piece, but it isn’t going to make or break a query. I’m only at 11 queries so I’ve a long way to go! Thanks for the inspiration.
And it’s so much work!
This was a great one! Thank you!
Thank you!
Heading back into the querying trenches next year after losing an agent, so this is very timely. The advice to query so many agents is interesting. With my last book, I stopped after thirty on the assumption I was wasting my time.
Sorry about losing the agent! That's not fun. Good luck with the querying! I would definitely go beyond 30.
I love the reminder about our mindset. Decide that we are “already there"! 🙌🏽
The hardest part about querying for me is how lonely it is. You're constantly putting yourself out there only to get form responses, or no responses at all. It's easy to let that get to you. This is all good advice, especially the part about mindset and knowing you deserve a seat at the table. Thank you!
Really, really needed to read this! I'm in the query trenches AGAIN (parted ways with my agent a few years ago) and I'm just so disillusioned over the entire process. I think I have a kickass story, but when I don't get any requests, it just deflates me. Sigh.
It truly is tough, but I wish you the best of luck. Chances increase when you've already had an agent for sure!
Agents got it rough. In what other industry are pros expected to engage with amateurs? Something's amiss
Refreshing advice!
Thank you, Judy!
Terrific post, Karin! You always offer realistic encouragement and motivation to keep working. Thanks!
Thanks so much, Tracey.