I've queried a lot of agents. Some gave me their standard reject, some haven't responded at all (yet), some nibbled but didn't bite. (One nibbled, got a partial, and hasn't responded for three months despite status update requests that her website said could be sent.) Several have taken the time to suggest cutting the length and modifying the tone.
I took a stab at it, and I think my shorter, revised work (which has a new name to boot) is better than the original. I've also improved my book proposal (this is nonfiction) and have a new query letter.
Naturally, I have followed up with those who made the helpful suggestions. My question is whether it would be worthwhile (or annoying) to requery those who have rejected with form letters or not responded at all. I kept good records so this shouldn't be difficult.
I still can find some possible agents who I haven't queried at all, so I will be approaching them as well.
I stress that no one has said that they will represent me if I make certain changes or asking for an exclusive look. I suppose I can wait a short while and see if any of those I've followed up with express a further interest, but I don't want to wait too long.
What do you all think? There are some agents in my original list that didn't nibble and that I thought could well be interested. However, the length of my book (or the way I described it in the query letter) might have turned them off ...
I took a stab at it, and I think my shorter, revised work (which has a new name to boot) is better than the original. I've also improved my book proposal (this is nonfiction) and have a new query letter.
Naturally, I have followed up with those who made the helpful suggestions. My question is whether it would be worthwhile (or annoying) to requery those who have rejected with form letters or not responded at all. I kept good records so this shouldn't be difficult.
I still can find some possible agents who I haven't queried at all, so I will be approaching them as well.
I stress that no one has said that they will represent me if I make certain changes or asking for an exclusive look. I suppose I can wait a short while and see if any of those I've followed up with express a further interest, but I don't want to wait too long.
What do you all think? There are some agents in my original list that didn't nibble and that I thought could well be interested. However, the length of my book (or the way I described it in the query letter) might have turned them off ...