The Search

So I feel a little weird (and slightly arrogant) posting this, but I think I'm the only one around here who has much experience in querying. If not, feel free to tell me! If you have any questions, I'd love to answer them. I queried one project last year that resulted in an offer of rep (turned down, loooong story), and now have a different full out with a bunch of agents.

I remember completely floundering when I started my query search, and I made so many mistakes because of unanswered questions, so I want to smooth that out as best I can for the rest of you. Topics I wondered about were keeping track of queries, proper replies to requests, formatting the manuscript (much more difficult than you expect!), how many to send at once, how many to send altogether, and many more.

Maybe no one has use for this, but I'm crossing my fingers.

You probably do know most, hehe. ^^ I'm not querying right now, but when I do begin, I'm sure I'll be looking for all answers I can get! Hehe.

lol, you are not alone! I queried about two years ago, long before I was ready. I got a couple requests, because my query was pretty good, but the writing in the novel wasn't up to par, so they all passed(though one agent was really nice and encouraged me to keep pursuing the craft because he saw lots of potential.). With that experience, and all the industry research involved, I have tons of information that's basically useless until I finish rewriting/editing the novel I queried then. Because I thought it was all ready to go right after I finished it, with only superficial edits. I was super naive.

But if you don't mind telling, what was it that made you turn down the offer? I obviously never got to that stage, but I hope to by the end of summer, so any thoughts you have on the process of accepting or turning down an offer not based in theory would be awesome.

Though he worked for a good agency, the agent wasn't super reputable, and he didn't seem passionate about the story. I also got the feeling that he wasn't hands-on, and I knew the project wasn't anywhere near good enough to go out on subs, and he didn't have the necessary guidance to get me there. He stopped agenting a couple months later, and I'm glad I didn't accept that offer. Now I'm a way better writer and I often wodner what he possibly saw in the MS.

Yeah, in that case, I can see why you'd reject an offer. You really need someone who loves it just as much as you do, you know? That's what I'll be looking for, once I'm ready to query, hopefully by mid-June. *fingers crossed*

You totally will be! And if you're not . . . *looks around forum* I think it's safe to say you have people willing to help

I also have quite a bit of experience querying ... I sent out my first query letter when I was 15, and it feels like I haven't stopped since then. *sighs* Right now I'm sort of querying but I'm starting to think of giving up again. I've just decided my manuscript is a total mess, after all. Even though this is like the five billionth draft of it. Argh. I have three partials out right now, so ... I'll just wait on those for a while. But I still think my manuscript needs some more editing. (I posted about it in the beta-reads topic a few days ago...)

Anyway, querying. So addicting but so depressing.

I highly suggest sites like AgentQuery, QueryTracker, Query Shark, Absolute Write, and Preditors & Editors to help you write a good query and look for agents.

I also wrote a blog post a while ago about all the query letter rules I learned from Query Shark, so ... that might also be helpful: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Brigid, I know how you feel. I first submitted to agents when I was 13/14 and have been writing/doing research on querying ever since. I haven't braved enough to start querying again, though, but I suspect I will by the end of this month (or at the latest, the end of this year)...that is, if I don't give up on my manuscript before then (I gave up on the two manuscripts that came after the one I queried). I replied to your beta-read post. Are you interested in doing a swap? Maybe we can help each other.

@Lnlee Yeah, I know how it is... I've written a bunch of manuscripts and given up on most of them. I only have hope for like two of them now. lol. Yes, I'd be happy to do a swap. I responded to you in the beta-read thread.