Good for you. Even though none of my queries have resulted in an offer I do think writing them was worth it. It let's you think about the most important things about your book. Remember only 1% of queries result in requests but you sometimes get quick notes about your idea. Those notes are worth it. Good Luck.
Honestly it is a hard letter to write...has to be brief but strong enough to garner an agents or publisher's attention. I knew why you were sweating it but I had not tips to offer you. I have a friend with the same level of EDU. that you have and it took her a long time, seriously long time to hit the nail square enough to finally find representation.
Yet you got them out, now let your nails and hair grow back and look at your copies and see if they can in any way be improved for the next round.
Best of luck to you Shakes...I hope you hit it on the first go!
I agree, Project Savior. Just writing the first draft of one of the letters pointed out something I needed to change in the novel itself. It made the process longer (of course), but both the book and the letter are better because of what I noticed.
Walking Man, I doubt I'll be highly successful with it, knowing the odds are against me, but I certainly won't be successful if I don't try. I'm embracing the rejections, though. Can't wait for them to come in so I can use them as wallpaper.
Best of luck! And I may be alone here, but I've always opposed the "save rejection slips and letters to use as wallpaper" idea. It's too painful a reminder of all the negativity that follows a query send-out. I keep a spreadsheet of places I sent my queries and mark the responses as they come in. Then I toss each rejection and never look at it again. "Their loss!" That's my motto.
"They've" suffered many losses over the last few years. It's sad, really...
I don't think you are alone, Carv, but I prefer to embrace the inevitable. Then again, I've rarely taken my work personally. If someone hates it, it doesn't mean he hates me... he doesn't know me. I just don't get sensitive about all of that.
Then again, the voices in my head have always been stronger than outside voices... and sometimes that is not a good thing. Rejection letters are far more polite than my internal monologue. Besides, I've already gotten a rejection letter from the First Lady... and I ain't throwing that away.
Good for you.
ReplyDeleteEven though none of my queries have resulted in an offer I do think writing them was worth it. It let's you think about the most important things about your book.
Remember only 1% of queries result in requests but you sometimes get quick notes about your idea. Those notes are worth it.
Good Luck.
Honestly it is a hard letter to write...has to be brief but strong enough to garner an agents or publisher's attention. I knew why you were sweating it but I had not tips to offer you. I have a friend with the same level of EDU. that you have and it took her a long time, seriously long time to hit the nail square enough to finally find representation.
ReplyDeleteYet you got them out, now let your nails and hair grow back and look at your copies and see if they can in any way be improved for the next round.
Best of luck to you Shakes...I hope you hit it on the first go!
I agree, Project Savior. Just writing the first draft of one of the letters pointed out something I needed to change in the novel itself. It made the process longer (of course), but both the book and the letter are better because of what I noticed.
ReplyDeleteWalking Man, I doubt I'll be highly successful with it, knowing the odds are against me, but I certainly won't be successful if I don't try. I'm embracing the rejections, though. Can't wait for them to come in so I can use them as wallpaper.
Best of luck! And I may be alone here, but I've always opposed the "save rejection slips and letters to use as wallpaper" idea. It's too painful a reminder of all the negativity that follows a query send-out. I keep a spreadsheet of places I sent my queries and mark the responses as they come in. Then I toss each rejection and never look at it again. "Their loss!" That's my motto.
ReplyDelete"They've" suffered many losses over the last few years. It's sad, really...
I don't think you are alone, Carv, but I prefer to embrace the inevitable. Then again, I've rarely taken my work personally. If someone hates it, it doesn't mean he hates me... he doesn't know me. I just don't get sensitive about all of that.
ReplyDeleteThen again, the voices in my head have always been stronger than outside voices... and sometimes that is not a good thing. Rejection letters are far more polite than my internal monologue. Besides, I've already gotten a rejection letter from the First Lady... and I ain't throwing that away.
"Queries have been SENT!!!" good work
ReplyDeleteclick on our links
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