Requerying Experiences Good and Bad

Horserider · Jul 12, 2009

I went through a massive rewrite off my novel and the query will probably change quite a bit as well. I deeply regret querying so many agents with what was probably a rather sucky draft.

How do you guys feel about requerying? Does anyone have an experience with requerying an agent -- good or bad? How would you go about requerying? Would you mention that you've made huge changes to the original draft and would they please like to take another look? (None of my queries resulted in a request of any kind, so I'm not asking someone that rejected my full if they'd like to take another look.)

MsGneiss · Jul 12, 2009

I would change the title, and pitch it as a completely new book. If you never got a request from any of the agents you queried, chances are they will just view it as yet another query. Sure, they'll have a record of your previous communication, but it won't be as fresh in their mind as if they actually took the time to read a full manuscript. So, that's my advice. It sounds like a new book to me, so treat it as such.

Sage · Jul 12, 2009

I was considering requerying some agents with the new version of my novel. It requires changing my query more than I had (and sadly the title), but I feel bad missing out on agents with the new version.

I haven't decided for sure that I will, though.

I do know, however, that you don't mention the previous version if you're requerying. Just treat it like a brand new novel.

Doodlebug · Jul 12, 2009

In the past, I have re-queried (first, I sent an e-mail explaining that I had made extensive revisions and then asked would it be okay to resubmit). Although the agents were happy to take another look at the ms., I still didn't get an offer.

Requerying Experiences Good and Bad

Horserider

Ever onward

MsGneiss

Sage

Our Lady of Parentheticals

Doodlebug