It really is. If you're querying right now, you're playing a game, one where you don't have all the pieces.
If you're feeling down about some rejections you've received recently, try to remember these things (these are the pieces you don't have to play with):
1. You don't know the agent's full client list. They may have a client that writes similar books to yours. They may reject you for this.
2. They may have just picked up an author with a similar plot line to your book. They may reject you for this. (This totally happened to me. I could name names. I won't.)
3. They may only be looking for a certain genre right now -- and you don't know what that is. They may see that yours isn't what they're looking for and reject you. Does it suck?
YES.
But like I said, it's a piece you don't have, that you can't play with.
4. They may have just sold to an editor that they would pitch your book to. They can't sub every book they have to the same editor, so they may pass on yours.
This is sucktacular too.
5. Timing is king. And unfortunately, you have no idea if it's on your side or about to checkmate you. So, uh, good luck with that...
So what can you do to stay in the game?
1. Write the best book you can.
2. Don't give up.
3. Whine to your writerly friends.
4. Work harder, learn more, write better.
5. Write another book.
6. Try, try again. (Okay, this is the same as #2. But it bears repeating.) Basically, I'm saying to send more queries. Each one is like a shiny new piece, a new opportunity, that could be the card that says, "Go directly to home, collect the $200, you're a winner!"
So yeah.
What do you think? What pieces of the game are you missing? Will you keep playing until you win? I hope you do. If you feel like throwing in the towel, send me an email, okay? Okay.
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74 comments:
I agree with not knowing all the pieces. When I started writing one of my stories I never would have guessed how many were similar to it, but I'm definitely not going to quit. I'm in it for the long haul.
Good advice Elana. I agree that you should put forward your best work and not get lost in the pressure to conform--as in write something that you think will be what agents are looking for.
LOL. Your first line sounds like most of the games in our house. I keep finding the pieces in the oddest places. Now if I wasn't so tired, I'm sure I'd be able to relate that to querying. But it's only 5:20 am, and my brain isn't function yet!
Great advice! It's why you shouldn't have your heart set on a certain agent (e.g. your dream agent) to rep you.
You really hit it home, Elana. Simply stated, we really are in the dark when we query. I agree. Timing has a lot to do with it, but we have no control over that. Control what we can--like improving our writing and writing the best book we can--and the rest will (eventually) take care of itself.
You make several great points Elana, and the only advice I can add is simply to make sure you DO have all the information that you can. You're right much of the knowledge that is necessary to decide who and when to query is not available, just make sure you gather all that is.
Very informative. A great way to look at this *game* of query. Worth adding to notes.
Thanks much.
I love the word sucktacular! I may have to use that - especially with regards to the Query Game!
Having definitely fallen prey to #1, as well as to some of the other pitfalls you've listed, I'm still playing the game, but it gets harder as time goes on. Posts like this help keep it all in perspective!
Thanks!
You and Tahereh wrote inspirational posts today, which is good because I have one query out and I'm about to embark on a queryquest today. Not looking forward to it.
yeah...sigh. THX for the boost today! The missing piece for me?Imagining them laughing at my premise or even my writing ("come look at how sucktacular this writer is") b/c mostly you only get form rejects. You just have to trust your gut;-)
Thanks for the inspiration, Elana!
I'm in the middle of the query game--and not really sure of all the rules!
I've got a couple of fulls/partials out (and that is the ONLY thing keeping me going). The sport in my YA novel is not one that tons of people follow (ok, it's golf, there I said it.) I've been getting a lot of passes to the effect of "not a golf fan, sorry."
Because I've had some requests, I know it's not the writing. Just got to find a golfer--but that's not usually in their agent bio. ;)
I've got enough positive feedback, that I'm far from quitting the game!
Thanks for the post. Definitely needed since I'm nearing the point of query . . . after eliminating close to 50,000 words from a project. Yup, 50,000! Be afraid, be very afraid!
Speaking of word counts, from what I've learned, some agents pay close attention to word counts. I'm not sure if that's an auto-reject, but a debut novel with 140,000 words make make an agent go "Uh, No!" I'm just saying . . .
S
Encouraging words dear friend. I doubt I'll feel like throwing in the towel, but it's a great feeling knowing you're an email away if I should. (Hugs)Indigo
You are ... the greatest!!! I mean that! I never thought about the missing pieces. And in the last few weeks, I've wanted to pull out my hair, break my fingers, and throw my computer across the room. Okay, that's dramatic, but it's been tough.
I will certainly remember this one: Write another book! Because that's what I love to do!
~J
Thanks for this post, Elana. I have def. been feeling down so thanks for reminding me that it might not be because my book completely stinks. *grin*
Great post. I've been feeling like that for... 3 novels now. :-P I definitely get frustrated about not knowing WHEN the best time is, when timing is everything.
Here's a question for you: how did you know when your manuscript was ready to query? :) Because that has a lot to do with it, too.
I will keep playing until I win and I will whine to you in the process:)
I'll definitely keep playing! Every book I write is another shot.
Elana, these are the most reassuring words on querying that I've come across. So true. So spot on.
Thanks for the reminder, Elana. As crazy as the experience is, there is a lot of up and down, win and lose, just like a game. You strategize and send your queries out to the right people and refresh your e-mail waiting for random good or bad news. If you're lucky enough to get requests or offers you pit the agents against each other in a high stakes battle... I like seeing it that way :-)
Elana,
I'm not even at the query stage for my current WIP, but after the first WIP received all rejections, I'm not looking forward to it either. But I think*** I'm better prepared to deal with whatever happens this go around.
Thanks for the reminder that at times market forces are playing against you even if you have a very publishable manuscript. I keep thinking of Madeleine L'Engle, who took 10 years to find a publisher for _Wrinkle in Time_. The book was before its time. But she didn't stop writing or trying.
When I think of a game, I think of something fun like Monopoly. Querying seems more like a form of torture than a game. :)
I'm not giving up. I write the books I want to read and it's just a matter of time before I find that perfect agent match.
I know, it's all true and probable, but those rejections still sting! But writing a new book helps a lot!
Thank you. It's so good to hear. You're right. We do our best at the game and can only keep trying.
Definitely sucktacular, though.
I always leave your blog with a smile on my face. Thanks for the wisdom!
I'm getting closer to that querying stage - and quite honestly I'm terrified! But I'm going to throw on some armour and do it. (Once the ms is ready that is.)
Ha! I love how topics springup around the blogosphere. I posted this week about not giving up, too.
Thanks for the reminder!
Great Post, Elana. Today's blog post includes the very first query letter I sent out to publishers...oh, the embarrassment. But it did result in a few requests, as shocking as that seems to me now. And luckily, I know that I am getter better and closer with each new submission.
Elana, this is a great reminder. While we don't have all the pieces, we can up our odds by careful research and patience.
Sometimes you just need to give one manuscript a break from the market before sending it out again. Just because we're ready doesn't mean the industry is. It also doesn't mean, "Your book sucks and will never find a home."
Learn your craft. Every day your manuscript doesn't sell is another day we have to learn something new that may catipault us from an okay writer to a great writer.
Great advice as ever. I've improved my writing so much in the process of trying to get published. It can only help in future projects.
LOL.
What pieces am I missing? Uh, how 'bout a manuscript ready for submission? That count?
Great advice, as always.
7. At some point realize that even if you really, really want something it may not be within your abilities to achieve it. In other words, know when to fold 'em.
Sorry, Elana, but telling writers they'll win if they simply perservere long enough is just not realistic given the few slots available and the numbers of writers trying for them.
Not everybody can get to the Olympics, win American Idol, play a pro sport, or get an agent just because they keep trying.
Elana--You're awesome. I think that faith is a big part of this whole process--faith that you will at some time hit the right person at the right time. Of course, I'm holding out querying until I have something spectacular. So I have absolutely experience with this yet. But I have lots of faith... :)
As usual another great post Elana! Everything you said is so true. As hard as it is the best thing writers can do is keep writing...keep perfecting that MS. The right agent is out there, we just have to be ready when they come along.
Thanks for the post, Elana--your points are very timely as I'm in the first stages of querying now. The piece of the game that's missing for me? Something I don't think you've mentioned and that is, when do I finally stop tweaking the thing, let it fly, and see what happens?
Dude. Really good advice. Best part? "it's a piece you don't have, that you can't play with." That really puts into proper perspective. Thanks!!
oh yeah...love this post! I know you wrote it just for me! And don't I always send you an email *wink*!
Thank you, this is both eye opening and encouraging~oddly enough~at the same time. It's all about how bad we want it and never giving up!
You're so right. It does feel like a game, sometimes even more like a casino game than a board game. Maybe the next spin will line everything up on the slot machine -- we don't know until we try. Eh, okay, not as great of an analogy, since casino games are mostly random, but it's the same feeling of not knowing, right?
Thanks for the reminder to write another book and try, try again. :)
Not missing anything at the moment, because as you said, timing is everything, and I timed mine right.
Great advice. And I absolutely love the word "sucktacular". Love it!
another fabulous post, elana. this is why we love you. <333
So is it okay to whine to your writerly friends while completing all the other steps?
Great post! I'll never throw in the towel. I'm currently querying one novel and working (stressing over) the writing of another query letter for a different project. I think I'm beginning to hate writing query letters more than sucknopses!
Great post--as always! ;)
I think going to writer's conferences are a key playing piece in your favor--but I know not everyone can afford to go to one of those.
Really, the best advice is not giving up. If your current project isn't the one, try the next one. Just keep swimming.
Great post--as always! ;)
I think going to writer's conferences are a key playing piece in your favor--but I know not everyone can afford to go to one of those.
Really, the best advice is not giving up. If your current project isn't the one, try the next one. Just keep swimming.
I feel like throwing in the towel often, and I'm not even querying. Well, maybe a little. I have one query out. It's funny that the other two rejections I got from the other two queries I sent didn't feel like rejections to me. It was just like "No thanks." They weren't actually rejecting my manuscript, so it didn't bother me as much.
Like Angie, I often feel like throwing in the towel. But writers are like sharks in that the only way to keep our dreams alive is to keep moving forward.
Thanks, Elana, your post reminded me of some things I had forgottened or had never even thought of.
Querying does sometimes resemble a game : Pin The Tail On The Donkey -- and usually I feel like the donkey!
Great Post Elana - thank you for this. The whole thing is so daunting.
"whine to your writerly friends"--LOL!! Love that. :)
Great post, Elana! I'm a firm believer that though time may work against you at times, if you hang in there long enough, it will come back around and be your friend!
So what you're saying is I might not suck as bad as I thought I did?
Bonus. :-)
How'd you get to be so smart? Maybe if I hang around you more, some of your smarts will rub off on me. ;)
You bet I'll keep playing! So awesome. Great post Elana!
Found your blog through Candyland- Nice posts and great site : )
Rinse, repeat. Thank you!
Never quitting! What if I quit just before that "yes?"
I love advice #3...we all do that don't we??? Misery loves company???
Great pep talk. I especially like to do #3.
Quitting is not an option. I've heard too many stories about persistence being the key. This is a fabulous post -- I've never considered many of the factors you point out. With my own work, I tend to assume a rejection means my work isn't quite there yet, which makes me determined to make it better. With anyone else's work, it's easier to consider that the business is very subjective. I'm going to print this article and tack it on my wall. (After, of course, I add it to our Friday round-up :))
Martina
Ah Elana so true, so true. Great post putting things into perspective. Querying is starting to feel like Russian roulette lol (okay so maybe I'm being a little dramatic).
I'm a very poor loser. So I have to keep playing until I win. I wonder how many emails you got....
Good post. You rock the blogs I haunt.
Rejections are sucktacular! I love that word, btw. But they're necessary in the process of finding the best agent.
And yeah, I've had a lot this year. I'd like to not get any more, please. *crossing fingers and waving around a variety of lucky objects*
But if I do get more, I'll still keep going. Because that's what we do.
This is so true. I got a request direct from a publishing house. I met the CEO at a conference and she wanted to see my memoir. I sent it. She loved it... but it was not the right fit for her house at this time... which SUCKS!
I was not planning to actively submit my memoir just yet. But this CEO's response was hard to ignore. I am glad to have had the opportunity to play the game. I am currently re working parts of the memoir and plan to play the game in earnest at the end of this year. I feel I am close. But who knows how close.
This post was great. Thanks :)
Your awesomness is beyond mere mortal limits you know that? Each time I come here I'm floored by the number of comments you get, the awesome follower list that exceeds my normal word count on any given day. Me? I'm playing tag with an agent. I won't till fall if it pans out but if it does I will shout it from the rooftops, or twitter, whichever.
Ever tried to play Old Maid with some of the cards missing. Yeah not so much fun. Neither is the querying... but I love your advice.
Thanks for the post.
I hate that so much depends on timing, but you're totally right. This is such an encouraging post--thank you!
Great post. :) I needed it today. I got two rejections yesterday and woke up to one this morning and it made me think about throwing in the towel for awhile (on this novel at least). But it's time to suck it up and keep on trucking because if I haven't given up yet, it would be pointless to give up now. :)
You have some great, inspirational advice to share!
I know I'm late chiming in on this, but this is such a great post because many writers don't understand this because they don't understand the business part of writing. It's also handy because even when we do know all this, we sometimes forget when we read 'sorry, not for me.' Thanks.
You're right . It's nice to keep in mind that there isn't just an agent sitting out there waiting for your book. Although, that is my dream.
Struggling through this right now. Thought it would be easier after having published a nonfiction anthology. But this is a novel. So? Not easy. Thanks for this post.
Struggling through this right now. Thought it would be easier after having published a nonfiction anthology. But this is a novel. So? Not easy. Thanks for this post.
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