How much is enough? Or is it ever enough?

Overkill · Apr 6, 2008

I am on my third batch of query letters. I send out ten in every batch. The first 20 ended in rejections so i went back and revised my query letter and sent out batch number 3. I am waiting on like 5 to come back.

I am wondering if there is a point where one should sit down and consider the fact that it just is not going to happen. I am not there yet but i was wondering if that point ever comes or do you just keep on sending those letters out or maybe even go back and write another novel and try selling that one instead?

I know one piece of advice will pertain to the query itself so i am going to guess that it might be a good idea if i posted my query letter here to try and get some advice on it and maybe some ways that it can be improved.

Truth is, i really believe in this story and the characters. It is the most fun i have ever had doing anything and hope to be able to have others see that i put some of myself into the characters in PREACHER'S BLOOD.

So tomorrow i will go ahead and post my query and see what kind of feedback i get on it from you guys.

Thanks for all of the kind words, greetings and advice so far.

I think i will like it here

Have a great day all

Greg Jeffrey

JoNightshade · Apr 6, 2008

Posting your query is an excellent idea. If you're getting rejections just based on the query letter, then that's what you need to work on. Once you start getting requests for partials (chapters) and full manuscripts, then you can take a look at where the novel itself is getting rejected (assuming it does).

As far as I'm concerned, there's no real point at which you give up. I sent out a total of 105 queries, and the one that ultimately landed me an agent was like #98. After the first 30 yeilded nothing, I revised my letter and sent it out to the next 30, and then revised again.

Phaeal · Apr 6, 2008

Don't give up until you run out of agents (and small presses that accept unagented subs). But do take a break while you polish your query to a high shine.

While waiting for responses, do two things:

Start writing another novel -- 1) to keep learning yourself; 2) to keep from brooding over your single egg; 3) to note that you're working on your next book in query letters -- one-novel novelists are very rarely agent career-makers.

and

Try to find other writers who will look at part or all of your novel. You must be ready to submit a partial or complete that is as good as it can be. You might be trying to submit too early, which can only frustrate both you and the agents/editors.

Matera the Mad · Apr 6, 2008

Excellent advice there. Sequels are good therapy, and so is AW.

You are not alone.

timewaster · Apr 6, 2008

Don't stop querying, but write something else. If you sell your first you will have to write a second and if you don't sell your first you may sell your second.
Many writers start writing another book the minute they have finished their previous one if not before. It is a bit of a conveyor belt. I am not a particularly productive example being a bit of a slacker but even I have:
One commissioned first draft with my publisher ( sent mid March)
One speculative picture book with a publisher( sent late March)
One proposal with my agent ( sent Friday)
One WIR which I will start on Monday.

Other writers will have much longer lists of what is where. One book out there is not enough...

steveg144 · Apr 6, 2008

Miss Snark, the legendary anonymous literary agent, used to say "100 rejections" is a good line in the sand (one I'm rapidly approaching with my first novel, sadly ...). Now mind you, there are many types of rejections:

1. if all your queries generate form rejections, then maybe your query is the problem. Could be a badly-written query, or could be you're submitting your query to the wrong places (agents who don't handle your genre, for example).

2. if you're getting requests for partials and then getting rejections, it might be your writing style.

In any case, always remember the wise words: they're not rejecting you, they're rejecting your book. Keep motivated and drive on to your next writing project.

Overkill · Apr 6, 2008

thanks all

Great advice, thanks for all of this guys. It certainly helps. I am about to go and post my query to see what you guys think about it.

have a great day all

Greg Jeffrey

Mellypie · Apr 8, 2008

there is no American Idol for writers...

steveg144 said:
Miss Snark, the legendary anonymous literary agent, used to say "100 rejections" is a good line in the sand (one I'm rapidly approaching with my first novel, sadly ...). Now mind you, there are many types of rejections:

1. if all your queries generate form rejections, then maybe your query is the problem. Could be a badly-written query, or could be you're submitting your query to the wrong places (agents who don't handle your genre, for example).

2. if you're getting requests for partials and then getting rejections, it might be your writing style.

In any case, always remember the wise words: they're not rejecting you, they're rejecting your book. Keep motivated and drive on to your next writing project.

...but I think it could be useful. You asked exactly the same question I was thinking. But I have only just begun the process. So far I've sent out 3 e-mail queries to date. I stopped going to Writer's Clubs because I heard so much criticism and then what I thought was really bad writing...only to find out they got published. It stunk. So, now I think of writing like anything else you want to be good at...just keep doing it and practice your craft and eventually you will grow the book you were destined to produce. Anyway, I couldn't stop writing if I wanted to. I figured finally I may as well try to sell the stuff as long as I can't seem to stop. Anyway, I can see this is going to be a long haul.

steveg144 · Apr 8, 2008

girlinthewoods said:
Anyway, I can see this is going to be a long haul.

Indeed. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Writing is the one marathon that you don't want to reach the finish line, because if you're a genuine, "can't not do it" kind of writer, you'll only stop when you're dead.

How much is enough? Or is it ever enough?

Overkill

New kid, be gentle!

JoNightshade

has finally arrived

Phaeal

Whatever I did, I didn't do it.

Matera the Mad

Bartender, gimme a Linux Mint

timewaster

present

steveg144

Crusty Polemicist

Overkill

New kid, be gentle!

Mellypie

steveg144

Crusty Polemicist