What am I doing wrong?

[marymcdonald]

So far, I've tried limiting my queries to a few a week for the last few months. I did go on a few tears where I'd do about five in a week. I'd wait for response, and as I wasn't getting any requests, not even for partials, I revised my query, sent it to more agents. Still nada. I've had my story up at authonomy for months, received some good critique, and positive comments, etc. I've revised, edited, revised again, well, you get the picture. I posted my query here, got some good advice, and also some positive comments, posted my first five pages here (Title:Enemy Combatant, about two months ago, I think) , again, almost all positive comments.

I even changed the beginning I posted here, despite the positive comments, because one person on another site said it was a prologue and agents hate that, and that one aspect of my plot might be turning off agents. It took some doing, but I changed that too, sent out new queries, with new sample chapters--nothing.

There are getting to be less and less agents. At this point, I'd be thrilled to get even a partial request. Oh, and I've been trying to make sure that every agent I query represents my genre, so it's not like I'm sending a adult thriller to agents who only rep YA fantasy or something.

I feel like querying every single agent, get the inevitable rejection letters and just be done with it. It feels like Chinese water torture to send out one at a time, and get rejection letter trickling in over the months. I feel like just ripping the Band Aid off.

I probably won't do that, but it's getting very depressing. I don't know anyone who hasn't had at least a partial request. Heck, I even afraid to critique anyone's query here, because I'll probably just make their query worse.  What do I know about querying? Nothing, it seems. 

I'm not sure if I'm seeking advice, or just needing place to vent/whine. (mostly whine, I guess.  )

[laurabdiamond]

Hi there. I feel your pain. I have sent over 150 queries (on an old project) and did not get one request.

I'm gonna be honest here and say my writing is "good," but it's not "great." In this biz, "good" isn't good enough. So, my advice is to keep revising. Positive feedback is good. Positive and real feedback is better. Get some HONEST critiquers (not the kind who rip apart just to be spiteful, or the kind who say "great job!" without saying "you need to change this," but the kind who catch EVERY detail with tact) and DON'T GIVE UP.

When I get over myself ( ), I'm gonna revise again. Hopefully, I'll be ready tomorrow, cuz that's my plan  --revise, revise, revise. Get rid of redundancy. Streamline where possible. Get closer to my characters. Tighten the prose. 

mmcdonald: Take a break from the querying and practice the art/craft of writing.

It hurts to hear, but I hope it's helpful. (Please note that I did NOT say your writing was bad in any way. I'm challenging you to improve it nonetheless. We could all use that. I'm including myself in that bunch.  )

[violet]

Crap, mmcdonald.

This process can be so painful. Would you be willing to repost your query? I'd love to see if I can help, and I know others on here would be interested in helping as well.

Another piece of advice: query widely. Many agents who didn't represent my genre still requested.

Sending an e-hug your way...now post that sucker, so you can get some requests.  

[emel00]

I'm so sorry this is happening to you!  I feel for you, I really do.  I think that the most important thing to remember is just not to get discouraged.  (I know it's hard.)  You'll look back on this and laugh when you're living the good life!  You and Oprah will share a chuckle, or maybe David Letterman when your book gets turned into a major motion picture!

Do you have anything in your query letter that is specific to the agent that you are querying?  Like, "Your website states that you are currently looking for Adult Thrillers, so I think my manuscript will be a good match for you."  I know they like it when you somehow tailor your query to them. I have even done research on their book titles and said something like "XXXX will fit well with your other Thriller titles, such and such, and such and such.

BTW, I'm not sure, but I think you can send out more query letters than that.  Just don't send them to different agents within the same agency.

 

[Magic_Seeker]

Well, I've never had even a partial, either, so I feel your pain!   

I've decided to work on my first three chapters (and more!).  When I'm done, I plan to wait at least three months from my last round of queries, then follow one agent's advice:

1) Re-write the query - greatly.
2) Re-query - without mentioning it.  She says they don't remember from 3+ months ago.
3) (My advice to me)  Change the title in case they have a database.

Wishing you good timing, good karma, and tons and tons of luck!  Plus a great book and an outstanding query letter, of course.   

[pilot27407]

To start with, things are tough; no kidding. A hundred years ago there was one writer for hundred thousand readers, read somewhere that in 1990 there was one for every seven thousand readers… I expect that now there’s one for maybe 500 or so. These days, publishers are happy when they sell 10,000 of a title. Many agents have quit, most have scaled down. With self publishing, POD, e-publishers, etc it’s not going to be much easier in the future… but those who persist will prevail.
Personally, I changed my query 4 times, till I hit upon a wining variant. With my first novel I queried over a hundred and only got 3 bites (two from scammers, one from a newbie... hell, seven years ago I knew nothing about querying).
Having quite a few partials and fulls out, for my second novel, I stopped querying it. Two weeks ago I got an itch and sent out the old Q for my first (didn’t change a word), and got 4 requests. What I’m trying to say is…. It’s a crazy business we’re in and the world out there is even crazier. If you enjoy writing, you can’t afford to throw in the towel. Post back you Q… we’ll try to help. Rewrite the synopsis and the opening pages…. be ready for when that call will come; and come it will.   

[Sandy_Williams]

If you've rewritten your query (BTW, did you take out the 9/11 reference) and received positive feedback on it and the beginning of your manuscript, there's not much you can do except write your next book. This isn't to say that you have to give up forever and the one you're querying now. Once you sell a book, you might be able to dust this one off and sell it, too. I'm hoping so, at least, because I have a couple of novels I'd like to rewrite and send out once I publish my first book.

This industry is weird. It's frustrating. Sometimes you can do everything right and still not get that lucky break. Eventually, though, persistance will pay off.

[Fizelle]

I'm with brimfire....If you are a writer, then write.

There may be many reasons you aren't getting nibbles. Don't over personalize the process. Set your own limits regarding how far you are going to pursue this particular project and then move on to the next when it's time. And while you're doing that, don't forget to remind yourself of what an amazing human being you are for having accomplished this much. It takes gumption to get this far....

You Rock.

[Isabella Morgan]

That sucks but don't give up.

Remember, even J.K.Rowling and Stephenie Meyer got turned down before they landed agents and look at them now.

I'm in the same camp as brimfire and Fizelle...writers write.

Sending you karma for luck.

[Annarkie]

My first book only garnered a few partial requests and every partial request was rejected for not being "strong" enough. It was also a little dark and controversial. It is an awesome story, but I'm starting to think it wasn't commercially viable enough for a debut novel. So I put it away and wrote another one. So far this book is getting about a 60% request rate. I'm hoping to use the success of this one to springboard my last one, cuz it's my baby.
Write another book! Your other one won't die, it will merely age like fine wine and get better! Just think of all the knowledge you acquired with this last one that you can apply to future projects! Ever Onward, my friend!

[JeanneT]

Crap, mmcdonald.

This process can be so painful. Would you be willing to repost your query? I'd love to see if I can help, and I know others on here would be interested in helping as well.

Another piece of advice: query widely. Many agents who didn't represent my genre still requested.

Sending an e-hug your way...now post that sucker, so you can get some requests.  

I don't know what your genre is, but I second violet's advice. Also be on the lookout for NEW agents. They, by necessity, are open to new writers. Yes, I know they don't have a track record, generally, but if they are with a good agency or have the right background to succeed as an agent, it's your most likely way. (Just be sure of that right background part. I'm not saying to sign with just anyone)

And keep in mind that it is a TOUGH market for new writers. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Publishers (and therefore the agents who sell to them) are very cautious about taking on new talent. They still have to--they have no choice. But they're not in a hurry and agents are understandably cautious in response.

Some around here know how many queries I sent out before I got an agent. I try not to think about it. So don't feel like you're alone. Finding an agent is tough. Consider that last year agent Kristin Nelson said that she got 38,000 (THIRTY EIGHT THOUSAND) queries. She took on (with her new associate) eight new clients. I say it's encouraging that she took on any--but it shows how important it is to query widely and watch for new possibilities. When I was searching, I kept a hawk eye out for anyone new in the field who would be looking to fill their "stable".

[Brenlee]

I feel your pain!  Keep your chin up and revise, revise, revise.  I do my querying in rounds and see what happens.  If I'm not getting any responses, then I revise and then start another query.  Last query I got a request for 2 partials and haven't heard anything from them.  I sent the requested docs by mail with an SASE and you'd think they would at least let me know they were passing.  It's a tough biz.

Sending you a hug    (which I think this is . . . but they sorta look like they're making out, don't they?) and a karma for luck!

Brenlee

[sarah_biglow]

Mary, dear you know I'm here for you.  And you know too that I want you to get goig on that new book because what we talked about sounds freaking amazing!!!!

I know you're querying some romance agents too right?  Just keep trying.

Oh and brimfire, yeah she took out the 9/11 reference.

[ajhoward]

Hi all, 

I'm one of those who had better love writing for the sake of writing.
I've had one partial in a round of sending out queries and nothing came of it.

I need to get courage to try again, because my first five pages and my query have been edited several times since then. My title is different. Now I'm working on a one page synopsis.

That's the great part about QT members. You are providing that courage. We hang in there for each other. Karma to each of you.

Thanks for your support, AnneJ