Time for a Query facelift?

[rmgraudi]

I've been querying rather slowly over the months. I've sent out around 40 (all of them my first version). I've had about a 13% request rate off of this query. Do you think it's time for me to shoot for a higher percentage and revise my query? Or should I stick with the current draft and be satisfied with the 13% acceptance rate?
Help!

[Kimmy]

I had a pretty similar rate with my first YA but have yet to have anyone WANT it....I think the more requests the better, so I would love a 50% or more request rate but I dont know what is considered good, to be honest. Some people send out 150 queries without one request. Some send out 20 and get an offer. I have no idea how to make this system work for me, or you! But good luck anyway!

[TereLiz]

I don't think 13% is bad. But if there is anything you can do to polish the wording of the query so that it sounds more like the way your novel is written, that might help.

Are you starting with a personalized salutation? Like you think this agent will like your book because they repped another YA book you think is similar to yours? (but not too similar, of course) I know some people don't think it's worth it to take the time to do this, but I always did.

Lastly, are you always pasting the first five-ten pages of your novel after the query? I usually did that even if the agent said they didn't want a sample, because they can choose to read it or not. And while a query can tell the agent what your novel is about, it's hard to convey writing style in such a brief letter. If the first sentence grabs their attention, they're going to read on, whether the query piqued their interest or not. Just keep the query professional, and brief, so the agent will read it through to where your sample beings.

Good luck!

[LisaAnn]

Lastly, are you always pasting the first five-ten pages of your novel after the query? I usually did that even if the agent said they didn't want a sample, because they can choose to read it or not.

You have had success with this approach, TereLiz?  Just curious, as I have been too scared to send anything the agent didn't specifically ask for, as they all seem so particular about their submission guidelines.  The agents didn't seem off-put by your extra content?

(Eleven form rejections and one full request for me so far, so I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong or right at this point.) 

[Tabris]

If the agent went out of her way to say "Do not include a sample," I did not include it.  If nothing was said one way or the other about including a sample, I included the first three pages in the body of the email immediately following my closing.

[LisaAnn]

Good to know.  I will definitely keep that in mind.  Thanks, Tabris!

[TereLiz]

Lastly, are you always pasting the first five-ten pages of your novel after the query? I usually did that even if the agent said they didn't want a sample, because they can choose to read it or not.

You have had success with this approach, TereLiz?  Just curious, as I have been too scared to send anything the agent didn't specifically ask for, as they all seem so particular about their submission guidelines.  The agents didn't seem off-put by your extra content?

(Eleven form rejections and one full request for me so far, so I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong or right at this point.) 

Eh, I usually included it anyway if the agent seemed pretty laid back about their subs. I know it's one of those things where you don't want to break the rules, but I figure it's not wasting anyone's time if they don't want to read it. And that way a sample is there if they want to read it.

I just checked to see that I did get two full requests from agents whose sub requirements said not to send pages, and one wound as my agent (eventually). That said, I'm not an agent, and if a particular agent seems to be a real stickler for people following their rules (sources like blogs and twitter streams can be helpful here), you should do whatever you feel presents you in the best light.