Online Query form: 4/08/20
ER: 28/08/20

PB. Kind, encouraging rejection referring specifically to my MS. She's not looking to take on more picture book writers.

Online Query form: 8/13/20
Notified of Offer of Rep: 8/24
Full Request: 8/24
PR: 8/27: A very nice rejection that politely bowed out, complimented my twist on the concept, and a congrats on the offer.

Online form query: 8/1/20
Full request: 8/28/20 :)

YA speculative. 93K

Online Query Form: 7/10/2020
Email Rej: 7/18/2020

YA steampunk fantasy, 99k

Pitmad Request - 6/4
EQ - 6/6
Full Request - 6/7 (sent 6/9)

MG Contemp - 56k

EQ: 3/31/20
Full Request: 4/3/20
Offer of Rep--accepted!!! 5/15/20

Contemporary MG, 54 K

Kelly is a new agent. She started with Raven Quill in February. But she has a lot of experience, and she's really smart and kind. I am thrilled to be with her! (And Raven Quill is really taking off. Definitely check them out! Everybody there is awesome!) Kelly and I have done a couple of rounds of fairly minor edits, and her feedback has been really helpful and has made the manuscript so much better.

When she offered to rep me, I had four fulls out with other agents, some of whom have sold a lot of books. I contacted them to let them know I had an offer and to see if they were still interested and if they could let me know in a week. (I needed to get back to Kelly in two weeks, and if the other agents wanted to talk to me, I wanted to make sure we had time to make that happen.)

One of the agents said she couldn't read in that time frame. The other three said they read it, and offered kind comments, but none made me an offer. But here's the thing: My initial conversation with Kelly lasted more than two hours. She seems to love my book (!!!) and has ideas for making it better. If one of the established agents had made me an offer, it would have come down to how we connected in our call, because Kelly set such a high bar. In the end, no one else made me an offer. But I would not have signed with Kelly if I didn't believe in her and Raven Quill 100 percent. Every super star agent has to sell their first book. New agents are hungry to make sales--and, right now, Kelly has time for me that my friends with big-name agents don't get. I really recommend her!

EQ: 3/31/20
Full Request: 4/3/20

contemporary middle grade, 54 k

Didn't realize that I'd put this in. :D See update in new post above.

Profile Update: Open to queries.

Profile Update: Closed to queries.

EQ: 6 May 2020
I see Ms Dyksterhouse has responded to queries sent after mine and it's freaking me out! I'm guessing it's a no, should probably close this one out as a 'no reply'.

Even though it was rejected, she wrote an encouraging, personalized response. :)

Picture Book: 1000 words.

Response from agent: "Thank you so much for allowing me to read THE CHAINED HEIR. I enjoyed the concept of your story very much, and how it opens so quickly. Unfortunately, I didn't quite connect with the world and Elizabeth like I needed to. I think perhaps it opens a tad bit too quickly, without grounding the reader in the world and the character's desires solidly before launching into the story. I'm afraid this isn't right for me at this time. It's clear that you put a lot of time and effort into your writing, and I know that the query process can be daunting and arduous. Please know that there are lots of agents out there, and everyone's tastes are different. For this reason, I urge you to keep with the process and continue writing and polishing your craft. While nothing is certain in this business, persistence does pay off. Again, thank you for considering me and best of luck with your future queries."

EQ: 05/17/2020

YA paranormal

Looks like a personal and encouraging rejection.
"Thank you so much for allowing me to read ARJUN. I found Arjun compelling as a character and really enjoyed the concept. Unfortunately, I didn't quite connect with the writing and the voice like I needed to, and so this isn't right for me at this time. It's clear that you put a lot of time and effort into your writing, and I know that the query process is arduous. Please know that there are lots of agents out there, and everyone's tastes are different. For this reason, I urge you to keep with the process and continue writing and polishing your craft. While nothing is certain in this business, persistence does pay off. Again, thank you for considering me and best of luck with your future queries.

Sincerely,

Kelly Dyksterhouse

FQ: 3/2
Nudge with offer of rep: 3/22
SUPER polite step aside: 3/23
She seems lovely to work with! I really appreciated her kind words.