Query question - romance novel

Spring · Mar 6, 2009

Hi there,

This may be in the wrong area and I'm sorry if it is.

I wrote my first and only romance novel and queried fairly broadly (roughly 30 agencies, I think). I received 11 nays, 6 yeahs, and the rest are unresponsive. I started querying back in mid February.

So I currently have 4 partials out there and 2 full manuscripts being considered.

When do I stop querying (can you tell I'm green here?)? I have other agencies I could query. But I'm curious to know how my work will be reviewed by those looking at it currently.

What's the norm? Wait now and see or continue tweaking and sending out more queries?

Thanks for advice. I have never done this before and I find the process a bit bewildering.

Brindle Chase · Mar 6, 2009

Wow. Thats awesome.... Congrats BTW. For me, I would hold off on more submissions. With 6 maybes out there... I wouldnt risk having to go back to too many of them and explain why you accepted an offer from someone else. But I dunno... I havent actaully gotten to the submission part myself. *lol*

Lainey Bancroft · Mar 6, 2009

Congrats! You've done very, very well for a first round of queries...hey, you've done very well, period.

Most agents don't want to sign a 'book' they want to sign a 'writer' so my advice to you would be to let the current queries do their job and focus your energies on the next book. That way, you haven't needlessly tweaked with no guidance, or, if (when) you sign, you have a follow up novel ready to go!

Good luck.

Cathy C · Mar 6, 2009

The "first and only" really could be an issue if you don't ever intend to write another. An agent might re-consider accepting the book just based on that.

DO you want to write more if given the opportunity, or was it really and truly the only romance in your head?

Thomma Lyn · Mar 6, 2009

4 partials and 2 fulls being considered? Great job!

My advice is to wait and see what responses you get from those six agents before querying further. If you get rejections but you receive feedback on your partial or on your fulls, apply that feedback if you think it fits. Then send out another batch of queries.

Sounds like you have a very effective query letter. Good luck!

Spring · Mar 6, 2009

Thanks for the advice.

My 'only' was only full novel as of yet. I have two WIPs in the works right now. Thanks for causing me to clarify.

job · Mar 6, 2009

Spring said:
I currently have 4 partials out there and 2 full manuscripts being considered..

Well this is just wonderful.

[begin advice]

I'd say to wait till you hear from one or the other of those agents who are considering the full, maybe both, before you send out the next round of queries.

And send to agents you really really want first.

[end advice]

This is so cool. Yes.

Spring · Mar 7, 2009

Thanks again. It sounds like I should wait, so I intend to do just that. You are all so helpful!

Query question - romance novel

Spring

Little Miss Sunshine

Brindle Chase

Dancing on the edge

Lainey Bancroft

Cover Me!

Cathy C

Ooo! Shiny new cover!

Thomma Lyn

Cat Wrangler

Spring

Little Miss Sunshine

job

In the end, it's just you and the manuscript

Spring

Little Miss Sunshine