Hi all,
Just started querying after 4 months of paralysis. For context, I work as a freelance writer and have two published creative nonfiction books.
A few years ago I queried another novel and got some encouraging personal feedback (very polished, pleasure to read, don't give up, etc.) but ultimately no bites. I stopped querying that novel after just a few weeks because deep down I felt it wasn't ready for prime time. Before that I wrote another novel that I never shopped around, for the same reason.
I feel this novel is much stronger and have polished it (and the two versions of my query letter) as much as I can, with help from AW and others. So. Sent out ten queries so far, got two rejections. I realize that's not even a drop, but I'm finding the process much, much harder than ever before. On the one hand I believe it's the best work I've ever done. On the other hand I wonder: if it's as fresh, timely, and well written as I think it is, why aren't agents lining up?
I'm now questioning the cost/benefit of the whole process. If I have to get my gut punched 40, 60, or 100 more times, with no guarantee of a score, is it really worth it? I keep trying to talk myself into a robotic, ego-less mode, but it's not working so far.
I've also been wondering if I should query all potential agents at once and be done with it. This book will live or die on the concept, so I don't think any query/MS tinkering is going to make much difference at this point. Thoughts?
F.
Just started querying after 4 months of paralysis. For context, I work as a freelance writer and have two published creative nonfiction books.
A few years ago I queried another novel and got some encouraging personal feedback (very polished, pleasure to read, don't give up, etc.) but ultimately no bites. I stopped querying that novel after just a few weeks because deep down I felt it wasn't ready for prime time. Before that I wrote another novel that I never shopped around, for the same reason.
I feel this novel is much stronger and have polished it (and the two versions of my query letter) as much as I can, with help from AW and others. So. Sent out ten queries so far, got two rejections. I realize that's not even a drop, but I'm finding the process much, much harder than ever before. On the one hand I believe it's the best work I've ever done. On the other hand I wonder: if it's as fresh, timely, and well written as I think it is, why aren't agents lining up?
I'm now questioning the cost/benefit of the whole process. If I have to get my gut punched 40, 60, or 100 more times, with no guarantee of a score, is it really worth it? I keep trying to talk myself into a robotic, ego-less mode, but it's not working so far.
I've also been wondering if I should query all potential agents at once and be done with it. This book will live or die on the concept, so I don't think any query/MS tinkering is going to make much difference at this point. Thoughts?
F.
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