Hi, All,
Well as you may have guessed. today is the first Wednesday of the month and that means.... Another segment of the IWSG...
Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh, we all get to share our anxieties and support for each other on this special day. Here's the link to sign up and join us! I know I am very proud to be a member of this group and we welcome you to join, if you haven't already!
Today, I'd liked to share my month long querying experience with you.
Finding a home for our precious manuscripts is NOT EASY. We all know this, but we hope and pray that perhaps a shimmer of golden light will shine on us....
As many of us know, querying is HELL... WE take months to write the perfect query, then another month or so to research potential agents/publishers.
As our heart pounds against our chest we address the agent/publisher and add the query. Thoughts ranging from, My work is crap... They'll hate this... Why am I even bothering?... This is SUCH a WASTE of time... I know I'm going to nail this!... I'll never hear back from them... I'll have an offer by next week! ...
These are the anxieties and emotions that run rampant through our minds every time.... THEN we have to face the DREADED SEND button!
With one last terrifying glimpse of our letter, we use every ounce of energy that's left to move our finger toward that dreaded button. As our fingers tremble we hold our breathe and DO IT.
DONE. It's out there...
Now the waiting begin...
AGAIN!
This is what I've been experiencing on a daily basis. Not only sending queries, but waiting for answers. They do come... Three rejects this month.
Thankfully I have at least another fifty or so agents I haven't queried yet. Of course I am waiting until the very end to send to my favorite agents.
Each rejection I hold my breath as I skim for SOME piece of useful advice. But sadly, most of mine are form rejections, which INFURIATES ME, but not for the reason you think.
I get angry because I spend SO much time on getting the query perfect, tailoring to each individual agent, the LEAST they can do is ADRESS it to ME... not just, Dear author, or nothing at all. I'm sorry, it doesn't take THAT MUCH TIME to type in the words, "Dear Michael." Especially since almost every agent has an assistant who sends these lovely rejection gems....
But we must endure, keep positive, and believe in our stories. ALWAYS remember this. This is a VERY SUBJECTIVE business and we need to realize this right from the beginning!
I am hoping that next month will bring me better news. My heart jumps for joy every time I see good news from a fellow blogger stating they signed a contract or their book will be released soon. It brings me hope, knowing there are agents and publishers that DO have taste...
SO PLEASE everyone, KEEP bringing our community good news. Believe me, it helps writers like me who are struggling to be heard.
I wish you all a fun weekend and keep your dream alive!
Don't forget to drop by the other members and lend your support!
Well as you may have guessed. today is the first Wednesday of the month and that means.... Another segment of the IWSG...
Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh, we all get to share our anxieties and support for each other on this special day. Here's the link to sign up and join us! I know I am very proud to be a member of this group and we welcome you to join, if you haven't already!
Today, I'd liked to share my month long querying experience with you. Finding a home for our precious manuscripts is NOT EASY. We all know this, but we hope and pray that perhaps a shimmer of golden light will shine on us....
As many of us know, querying is HELL... WE take months to write the perfect query, then another month or so to research potential agents/publishers.
As our heart pounds against our chest we address the agent/publisher and add the query. Thoughts ranging from, My work is crap... They'll hate this... Why am I even bothering?... This is SUCH a WASTE of time... I know I'm going to nail this!... I'll never hear back from them... I'll have an offer by next week! ...
These are the anxieties and emotions that run rampant through our minds every time.... THEN we have to face the DREADED SEND button!
With one last terrifying glimpse of our letter, we use every ounce of energy that's left to move our finger toward that dreaded button. As our fingers tremble we hold our breathe and DO IT.
DONE. It's out there...
Now the waiting begin...
AGAIN!
This is what I've been experiencing on a daily basis. Not only sending queries, but waiting for answers. They do come... Three rejects this month.
Thankfully I have at least another fifty or so agents I haven't queried yet. Of course I am waiting until the very end to send to my favorite agents.
Each rejection I hold my breath as I skim for SOME piece of useful advice. But sadly, most of mine are form rejections, which INFURIATES ME, but not for the reason you think.
I get angry because I spend SO much time on getting the query perfect, tailoring to each individual agent, the LEAST they can do is ADRESS it to ME... not just, Dear author, or nothing at all. I'm sorry, it doesn't take THAT MUCH TIME to type in the words, "Dear Michael." Especially since almost every agent has an assistant who sends these lovely rejection gems....
But we must endure, keep positive, and believe in our stories. ALWAYS remember this. This is a VERY SUBJECTIVE business and we need to realize this right from the beginning!
I am hoping that next month will bring me better news. My heart jumps for joy every time I see good news from a fellow blogger stating they signed a contract or their book will be released soon. It brings me hope, knowing there are agents and publishers that DO have taste...
SO PLEASE everyone, KEEP bringing our community good news. Believe me, it helps writers like me who are struggling to be heard.
I wish you all a fun weekend and keep your dream alive!
Don't forget to drop by the other members and lend your support!
44 comments:
Sorry about the rejections. Especially the impersonal ones. But every time, you are closer to an acceptance. Just believe!
It's subjective and everyone has an opinion. Don't lose faith. Alex is right, you are drawing closer to that yes.
Querying keeps us humble. I think that's the intention. We know you have tenacity, and talent, so hang in there. You are not alone. . .
I'm sorry about the rejections, Michael. Someday those people will kick themselves for passing on your work!
Think of each rejection as a building blocks. Get enough of them and you'll have a good foundation. It might not be what you want, but it will be a solid base to keep on going and keep on putting your work out there.
There are all sorts of stories about people's work being passed on by many until someone of vision snatches it up. I believe that will happen to you, Michael.
Hang in there!
Hi Michael, I am with you when you say you hate form rejections. Why cant the agents take out the time to personalize the rejections? I too got quite a few form rejections. Hang in there, your dream agent is around the corner.
When I was still doing the querying thing and thought I had to have an agent, the worst rejection was one that simply read, "No, thank you." That's not even a professional business communication! Even a form rejection doesn't sound as cold and informal.
Querying IS awful. I remember all those feelings you described -- the physical reactions and the wild swings of emotion. Serious heart-in-mouth stuff every time you see a reply in your In Box ...
I hope the torture ends quickly for you with some positive news SOON!
Can I coddle you??? Hold your head up (while I coddle you). Your gonna make it when you find the right agent! Believe in your short shorts self!!
I hate querying. I hate rejections. I queried my most recent book in February of this year, and it was accepted by a publisher (and it's definitely not one of my best efforts). Funnily enough, I am still receiving rejection letters from some of the other agents/publishers I queried back in February. It will happen, Michael. I truly believe persistance pays off!
Sorry about the rejection letters. It is definitely not easy, but don't give up. There is no reason why your work cannot be picked up by a publisher. It is possible. Just remind yourself of that.
Hey, I've got an acquisitions editor answering questions at my blog all month, perhaps you can find a useful tidbit there.
Querying sucks. Period. I like your approach of saving your favorites for last -- takes the sting out of early rejectinos, eh? I totally agree that the courtesy of including a freaking NAME in the response. I hate that they have so much power & know it.
Querying sucks. Period. But I'm so happy you're at it in earnest. Your story is a wonderful one and is destined for great things, just got to bear with the waiting.
The courtesy of using your name at the top of a response hardly seems like too much to ask.
Google is being a jerk, so you might be getting multiple comments from me.
You definitely captured the anxiety of querying in your post. I also hate the form rejections. I think that if we take care in our stories and queries we send to them that they should offer the same respect, even if their answer is a no. I also wish more agents would give a brief 1-2 sentence explanation for the rejection instead of just saying it's not for us. I know they get a lot of queries, but knowing what we could work on will help us in the end.
Best of luck to you. Stay positive!!
It can be an exhausting process but I'm sure the right publisher is out there just waiting for you. And despite the disappointments along the way, it'll be all the sweeter when you finally connect with them.
mood
Moody Writing
Perhaps I should join. I'm too insecure to even consider myself a writer...but I think about it a lot. Does that count?
Ciao!
Cherdo
www.cherdoontheflipside.com
Impersonal rejections, way to add salt to the wound. Grrr. Sorry about the rejections, though. Best of luck with the next set of answers coming and hope at least some of them do send you advice if they can't say yes. DO NOT give up! Hugs!
Keep your chin up and eat some chocolate.
Sorry about the rejections. You'll get there eventually. Good luck with your queries!
Stephen King had so many rejections that he replaced the large nail he used to hold them with a spike. True. So take heart.
Damn. I hate rejections. I hate waiting to hear. Hoping...
I'll be in the trenches with you soon. My current wip is under revisions.
I so understand the reluctance to press send...
I don't get it. I'm sooooo baffled by all of this. You know I've read your query and I think it SHINES!!!! And you know I've read your book and it is phenomenal… it's so great, Michael. Ugh. There are SO MANY FACTORS that go into this process. So many. I swear all of the stars have to align in like, every universe or something…
But you KNOW you have magic. And incredible talent. Gosh, I believe in your writing and your work SO MUCH, Michael. So much. Keep pushing.
Pressing that send button on a query letter is just about the hardest thing I've done. Nerve racking. I'm glad you are keeping your spirits up about it all.
Have a great weekend Michael.
I share the pain, Michael. I am trying to hold onto the believe that good news is only just around the corner. Each rejection, however 'nice' is like a kick in the teeth. *Sigh* onwards and upwards my friend.
Hi Michael. It is hard, but why don't you send your query to your favourite agents? There must be a reason why they're your favourites--they might be the one! You have a great story now so it's just a matter of time...
All the best
Denise
I'm sure this probably sounds cliché, but as difficult as it is to accept the rejections, it will help you to appreciate the "Yes! We love you and your writing!" so much more when it happens. I think it would be harder to deal with the impersonal nature of it, but keep in mind it's one opinion of one person who may only be looking at trends rather than the work itself.
Good things are on the horizon, I'm sure. Just keep on writing.
I am sorry that this month has felt so roller-coasterish. I love the big high as much as anyone, but the big lows... ugghhh. I suppose that receiving the rejections will make the acceptance all the sweeter. As you say, you want the RIGHT agent... the one who will see how amazing your book is. Hang in there!
Sorry to hear you haven't gotten much in the way of useful information from the queries. But there will be a day when one of the agents say they love it. And it might even be one of your favorite agents, making it that much more meaningful!
Ahh, the waiting. Checking email and hoping. Wishing the best of luck.
You're right Micheal - any art form is subjective so keep battering on until you get a yes :)
And re the replies - one of my pet hates in all aspects of life. All it takes is the press of a mail-merge to send a reply and to make it personal - just plain rude, no need for it!
Suzanne @ Suzannes-Tribe
xx
Michael, I'm sorry that you've been going through such a frustrating time. I also think that the right agent will come along soon. All it takes is one smart person who sees what we all see in you! Hope you had a fun 4th!
Julie
Oh Michael, I'm sorry about the rejections...
Hang in there!
It makes me think of the saying: there's a lid for every pot. It has to be the correct match. So the right agent is out there somewhere.
Good luck with your querying! I'm rooting for you!
Everything about this, it is so very true. It is hard, getting up the courage to do it, and then worse when they don't even bother to send a note to you personally.
I do hope you find one!
I've been experiencing the same thing. After a few rejections, I reviewed my ms and decided it could stand some tweaking. And I bought CS Lakin's book, Writing the Heart of Your Story. It has given me a lot of information about beefing up my characters and ensuring the first paragraph, first page is a winner. And I've sent the first 100 pages to her for a critique. Perhaps Forbidden will be more than ready by this fall to return to the agent front again. Good luck.
Best of luck with the queries. I admire you for even taking the risk.
Hang in there, Michael. You're a winner before you even publish - for putting yourself out there and enduring this.
It is highly subjective Michael and we've all had our fair share of rejection. Keep busy and stay focused on your writing. That's what keeps me sane while I get bad news.
I know, I know! Waiting and rejection are two key parts of a writer's life. Keep persevering until the wait is over and you get a YES!! :)
I know it is tough to get rejection letters, especially when they are vague or not personalized. But- keep doing what you are doing. It sounds like you have crafted a well-written query (they do take so long) and you have done your research on agents. You will connect with the right agent. :)
I hope you hear back some positive news soon! Keep following your dreams.
~Jess
Hi Michael - it's great that we're part of this amazingly supportive bunch of bloggers - who always keep our spirits up .. take care and all will work out .. cheers Hilary
I decided to go indie, despite getting an offer. There are very few publishers who can elevate a career more than the author can these days. But I respect your choice and have my fingers crossed for you Michael. I totally understand what you said about referring to you by name. Shouldn't that be the minimum to expect after all you efforts?
Best of luck!
shahwharton.com X
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