Most Simultaneous Queries?

wordsquid · Aug 7, 2007

Hi All,

Long time listener, first time caller here (always wanted to say that).

I'm curious: what's the highest number of simultaneous queries you've had out to agencies at one time? Better still, how many simultaneous partials have you had out at once?

Squid

scarletpeaches · Aug 7, 2007

Ten queries/proposals.

Only ever had one partial request.

Petroglyph · Aug 7, 2007

6 queries
3 partials

and a partridge in a pear tree.

reenkam · Aug 7, 2007

Seven queries.

Only one partial

I've had two fulls out at once, though...

JoNightshade · Aug 7, 2007

Gotcha all beat. 40 queries.

reenkam · Aug 7, 2007

JoNightshade said:
Gotcha all beat. 40 queries.

All at once?

Wow...I haven't even sent that many in total. *expression of admiration*

elknutswife · Aug 7, 2007

20, all rejected, although a couple with nice, personal (actual handwriting with ink!) notes - unfortunately I got excited when I finished the book and sent out the first query I wrote - big mistake. Oh well, that's a newbie for you

I've learned my lesson since then!

JoNightshade · Aug 7, 2007

reenkam said:
All at once?

Wow...I haven't even sent that many in total. *expression of admiration*

Yep. I did it all in like the first 2 weeks after I quit my job. The reason I sent out to so many was that my novel is kinda hard to classify, so I was hitting agents in several genres-- hoping one of them would be a little curious about this weird project that fits in between the cracks. I got about 4 requests for partials and right now I have one full out. Got about 30 rejections, still waiting on a few more for replies. I got tons of handwritten notes saying, "This sounds interesting, but not for me." Which is what I expected. Yay. Maybe I'll have better luck placing my WIP, and then be able to use this one as my second sale.

Azraelsbane · Aug 7, 2007

1!

Of course, I've only ever sent off one, so that's not too impressive. I just had to put my one against Jo's 40.

blacbird · Aug 7, 2007

JoNightshade said:
Gotcha all beat. 40 queries.

Did any of them result in success?

I'm well-established in disagreement with JAR's view that simultaneous submission of anything is about as desirable as pedophilia, but I'm also conservative about simsubs. I think the most I've ever sent simultaneously was four, and those were tailored for the specifics (whatever of that I could figure out) of the agents targeted. Forty seems like a hell of a lot.

. . . Dang . . . the more I think about it, the better I like that phrase "agents targeted".

I need a drink.

caw

Shady Lane · Aug 7, 2007

I have 10 out for Christmastime right now that are still waiting for replies. There are 16 queries in all--6 have been rejected, and 1 requested a full. I'm in awe of how many queries are still out. It's been four months for some of them.

JamieFord · Aug 7, 2007

I'm with Jo and Barbarique. I think I had 67 queries, not sure how many were out there at one time since I was getting rejections and requests for partials over 2-3 weeks.

I sent out small batches, 8-10, every few days and just rolled through 'em. All total I had 15 requests for the full (16 if you count the one I got after I'd already signed with my agent).

BUT, I sent out two email queries and a query w/partial to test the waters first. Once I had that first request for the full, I went hog-wild.

leenakincaid · Aug 7, 2007

Ten queries, all rejected.

JoNightshade · Aug 7, 2007

blacbird said:
Did any of them result in success?

See my earlier reply for results. I wasn't just spamming. I simply concentrated on GETTING IT DONE and did nothing else for 2 whole weeks. All day, every day. So what does it matter if I send them out one at a time or all together?

rwam · Aug 8, 2007

I've sent out about forty this summer, most of them as I was laid up after surgery a month ago. As of this very second, I have two fulls and two partials out there and am waiting back on probably a dozen queries.

Julie Worth · Aug 8, 2007

wordsquid said:
I'm curious: what's the highest number of simultaneous queries you've had out to agencies at one time? Better still, how many simultaneous partials have you had out at once?

If you count those that haven't responded, they start to add up in a most appaling fashion--ie, over a hundred!

Over the past 18 months:

Most recent book

249 queries, most with sample material
9 were publishers
50 were re-queries
65 were snail mail, the balance were email or web
104 were non-responsive (42%)--this may fall as more trickle in
15 requested the MS. One of these was a publisher
2 agencies requested rewrites. Both read the book multiple times. One read it 5 times and still hasn’t passed. 2 other agents still have the MS.

Immediately preceding book

137 queries, most with sample material
11 were publishers
4 were re-queries
41 were snail mail, the balance were email or web
47 were non-responsive (34%)
12 requested the MS. Of these, 4 were publishers
1 publisher offered a contract, but negotiations broke down
1 agent and 1 publisher still have the MS

Shadow_Ferret · Aug 8, 2007

Most queries: 2.

And I was so full of anxiety about, well, what happens if one accepts and I'm still waiting on the other, do I tell the one I've got another one out or do I just pretend I don't and send it to this one, but then what if the other one wants to see it too, then do I send it to them and say that I have it out to another agent or do I ignore it?

Well, I don't need that kind of grief so I only send them out one at a time now.

Enraptured · Aug 8, 2007

I've always heard that although it's okay to send out simultaneous queries, it isn't okay to have more than one partial out at once. Is this wrong, then? (I hope so; that would be good news.)

rwam · Aug 8, 2007

It's perfectly fine to have more than one partial out at once as long as they are both out on a non-exclusive basis. Even more than one full at once....as long as you practice professional courtesy in informing agents that other agents are also reading, everything's fine.

Listen up folks...you need to query widely if you want to increase your chances (and speed) of being published. You simply cannot afford to sit and wait 4-6 weeks for a couple agents to reject you. Simultaneously submit to as many as you're comfortable with, but try to personalize each one and keep good track of whom you've queried, but DO NOT QUERY TO MORE THAN ONE AGENT AT THE SAME AGENT AT THE SAME TIME.

Julie Worth · Aug 8, 2007

Enraptured said:
I've always heard that although it's okay to send out simultaneous queries, it isn't okay to have more than one partial out at once. Is this wrong, then? (I hope so; that would be good news.)

It's okay. It's okay to have multiple fulls out. Don't worry about it. Agents know that's how it is, and 90% of them don't expect you to tell them that others are reading. And during most of that "reading," your MS is sitting in a stack in the corner. The chances of two agents reading at the same time and making you an offer is rare, but it happens--eg, Jamie Ford had several agents reading simultenously, and got several offers. In any case, your only professional duty is to let the others know when the MS is no longer available. Don't waste their time unnecessarily.

reenkam · Aug 8, 2007

Julie Worth said:
If you count those that haven't responded, they start to add up in a most appaling fashion--ie, over a hundred!

Over the past 18 months:

Most recent book

249 queries, most with sample material
9 were publishers
50 were re-queries
65 were snail mail, the balance were email or web
104 were non-responsive (42%)--this may fall as more trickle in
15 requested the MS. One of these was a publisher
2 agencies requested rewrites. Both read the book multiple times. One read it 5 times and still hasn’t passed. 2 other agents still have the MS.

Immediately preceding book

137 queries, most with sample material
11 were publishers
4 were re-queries
41 were snail mail, the balance were email or web
47 were non-responsive (34%)
12 requested the MS. Of these, 4 were publishers
1 publisher offered a contract, but negotiations broke down
1 agent and 1 publisher still have the MS

Wow...how'd you even find that many agents??

maestrowork · Aug 8, 2007

Highest numbers at one time: 15 sim-subs. 6 partials. 3 fulls.

CaroGirl · Aug 8, 2007

Probably three at any one time. I've submitted queries to 7 agents so far. I've had 5 rejections and one request for a partial (still haven't heard on that one) and still have one query out since April that I haven't heard about either.

Jamesaritchie · Aug 8, 2007

Queries

wordsquid said:
Hi All,

Long time listener, first time caller here (always wanted to say that).

I'm curious: what's the highest number of simultaneous queries you've had out to agencies at one time? Better still, how many simultaneous partials have you had out at once?

Squid

One.

hnh · Aug 8, 2007

I sent out about 5 queries each week (about 30-35 total).

My record was 2 partials and 2 fulls out at the same time. I had awesome daydreams for those few days.

Most Simultaneous Queries?

wordsquid

gestating a plot

aka cupcake

has finally arrived

aka cupcake

Obsessive Email Checker

has finally arrived

Agony is defeat

my name is hannah

giving resonant directions

has finally arrived

What? I have a title?

Court Jester

Narrator

What? I have a title?

aka cupcake

Fear the Death Ray

Living the dream