Fighting

Corinthianblue · Dec 10, 2009

I am fighting, and fighting, and fighting to get published. I finished this story of mine, wrote a query, a synopsis (several versions), and I am constantly dreaming of a career in writing. I can never stop thinking of stories. Even after I finished this one, I started two others.

Anyways. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I think I have a solid query letter and a solid story. I've been complimented by total strangers who have read it. It's geared towards the young adult and adult markets (pg13).

I'm seeking an agent. I've sent out more than 60 queries to agencies, and some to publishers, but I'd rather have an agent. I feel I could get out there easier with an agent and meet the goals I want. My last go-around I was rejected by 15 agencies, and now, on this round, I've got rejected by about 12, 8 of which were immediate rejections. Guessing that means the 8 didn't even bother reading it.

Any suggestions? Any ideas? I could post my query letter for everyone to read and I guess they could dissect it. You can imagine I'm new to this.

Oh yeah. Black Rose Writing. Heard they were pretty terrible. Am I right? The rumors true on them?

Stacia Kane · Dec 10, 2009

Post your query in Share Your Work; there's a section for queries there.

I would say, though, if you're saying in your query that the book is both YA and adult, that would be a problem right there. It's one or the other, whether it's PG-13 or not.

Good luck!

Corinthianblue · Dec 10, 2009

The first real answer I've ever heard. Thank you.

Cyia · Dec 10, 2009

Definitely go down to Share Your Work (it's a forum here, password:vista) and post your query there. Like Stacia said, you never want to tag your book as for YA and adult. You have to pick one; the publisher has final say anyway.

Instant rejections in now way mean that the agent didn't read the query. They get hundreds of queries a week and have it down to about 30 seconds per query for you to catch their attention. Some have a quick turn around because they know what they're looking for and they know when they don't see it.

Queries are hard, but they're a necessary evil of sorts.

(Black Rose has a thread in Bewares and Background checks here. Read through it and you'll get the information you need on them. While you're at it, check the forums for Writer's Literary Agency and Publish America.)

Corinthianblue · Dec 10, 2009

K. I made the changes and posted it. Guess all I can do is wait. Was gonna send out 10 more queries, but don't want to waste the time (and paper). Thanks for the help so far, guys.

Cyia · Dec 10, 2009

Corinthianblue,

I gave you a crit (but I'm serious about asking a mod to put it in the right place). Please read what I wrote before you send out any more queries. Your current letter is sinking you. (Are you doing all snail mail? Many agents take e-queries now)

Corinthianblue · Dec 10, 2009

I'm using e-queries every chance I can get. Some places still request snail mail sadly.

AryaT92 · Dec 10, 2009

I spent 3 days sending out e-queries to every agent / publisher I could find regardless of their submission guidelines from the site writersmarket.com

After several days I had 9-10 agents who wanted to represent me.

Some advice: Don't query on a Sunday / Monday, most people will be too busy with phone calls that have been waiting through the weekend / other things to read their emails.

Danthia · Dec 11, 2009

Publishing is a very subjective business. It's possible to have a well-written book that does everything right, but if it has a subject matter that's been done a lot and there's no room in the market for it, or an agent doesn't think they can sell it, they'll still pass. Dreams are one of those things that frequently fall into the "Oh look, another dream novel" so you'll have to work extra hard to show why your dream novel is better than the ones out there.

I took a peek at your letter and agree with Cyia that your query is very likely the problem. I'd suggest letting the folks over at SYW did into it and get it into shape, and you'll probably have better luck.

YAwriter72 · Dec 11, 2009

Also keep in mind that several agents have blogged about the climate of publishing and how they are turning down works they love that they would have grabbed a year ago. Its a tough business on a good day, but right now, its a lot tougher. Keep at it, listen to everyone who wants to help (Because the people here do!) and keep writing. This may not be the story that gets you an agent. It may be story 1 or it could be story 10! Don't give up.

Corinthianblue · Dec 11, 2009

I have an issue with these blogs. I've read so many (around 15 or 20, can't remember) and all they seem to do is ramble about nothing. Almost every single one that I read was NOT about writing, publishing, or agent information. It was usually about what they did that day at home. Or a movie they saw. Okay, ending rant.

waylander · Dec 11, 2009

While you are slogging away in the trenches of the query war I hope you are writing another book. Agents will want to hear that you are not a one trick pony, and if an agent takes you on, but can't sell this first book they'll want something else to try.

DeadlyAccurate · Dec 11, 2009

I don't know what blogs you're reading. The vast majority of the agent blogs I read (and I read 11 of them) talk about writing and publishing almost all the time.

Wayne K · Dec 11, 2009

My blog stinks.

Toothpaste · Dec 11, 2009

Visit this agent blog first (she rarely writes about her private life, it's almost all industry related) and then follow the links in her sidebar to other industry blogs.

Fighting

Corinthianblue

Turbofacepalming since 1996

Stacia Kane

Girl Detective

Corinthianblue

Turbofacepalming since 1996

Cyia

Rewriting My Destiny

Corinthianblue

Turbofacepalming since 1996

Cyia

Rewriting My Destiny

Corinthianblue

Turbofacepalming since 1996

AryaT92

Danthia

YAwriter72

someone let me off this crazy ride

Corinthianblue

Turbofacepalming since 1996

waylander

Who's going for a beer?

DeadlyAccurate

Absolutely Fazed

Wayne K

Toothpaste

THE RECKLESS RESCUE is out now!