Houston, we have a query. Six, in fact! In between speaking events in May, I finished revisions on my novel, prepared my “query packet”, and sent it out to SIX literary agents.
I know six doesn’t sound like a lot, but it’s a start. I’ve been using QueryTracker to build a list of agents to query (which is currently about 70 strong, yikes), and over the next couple of months I plan to spread querying them over the next couple of months. I’m excited, and scared, and expecting the process to take a while, but I’m hopeful. There are a lot of agents out there looking for something like the book I’ve written, and all I need is one who loves it nearly as much as I do.
The problem with querying is that nothing is standardized. I followed the most prevalent advice and prepared a “query packet” consisting of a query letter, a synopsis, and the first ten pages of my book. Going in I figured this was all I would need. I expected some agents to ask for all three parts, others to ask for only two parts or even just the query letter and nothing else. The reality is very different.
In my first round of queries, I had agents asking for my first three chapters, my first fifty pages, a one sentence pitch, or a one paragraph pitch, usually in addition to my query letter. One agent didn’t ask for a query letter at all. And I was feeling silly about putting so much work into a synopsis until I got to the last agent in my first batch, who was the only one to ask for it.
On top of that, all but one of these queries was submitted via form, which is just like filling out job applications online. You have to upload your resume (query letter), then fill in a bunch of blank boxes with information that should already be in your resume (query letter).
And I get it. It’s a mild frustration on my part, but agents are professionals, each with their own ways of doing things. They want to make sure each query presents exactly the information that will best help introduce them to a story. And they get thousands of submissions, so each agent’s form is personalized to maximize efficiency when they sift through the pile.
I understand why the system is like this, and I don’t place any fault at agents’ or agencies’ feet. It is what it is. But that doesn’t mean I can’t wish for just a little bit of standardization, as a treat.
QueryTracker helps, at least, by keeping track of my list and having thousands of agents at hundreds of agencies searchable in one place. I can’t even fathom how much time it’s saved me in terms of just being a place to look for names. I still have to do my own due diligence, of course, but it’s miles better than just Googling “literary agents looking for science fiction and fantasy” and crossing my fingers that I get something useful (which was the only plan I could come up with before I was clued in to QueryTracker’s existence).
So, my plans for the coming month include sending queries to even more agents, touching up my manuscript based on feedback from beta readers, and working on some short story ideas I’ve been percolating. Outlining the sequel to my novel is also high on my priority list. I think it’s especially important to get to it now, when the first book is still fresh in my mind. Stay tuned for updates!
As always, thanks for reading.
<3 Anna