Re-querying agents after 7 months - with revamped MS

LadyA · Apr 13, 2013

So I queried TH£ BRIGHT£ST F£LL about 7/8 months ago now, and had a few very near misses but no bites. Now, I've totally revamped it, edited it, changed it from a dark contemp into a psych thriller, changed the ending, worked on characters, etc - and changed the title and query letter.

I really want to give it another try and query it again, but am I allowed to re-query agents I've already sent it to once (at least 7 months ago)? Because I sent it to my favourite agents, and I'm worried I've messed up my chances with it.

Thank you!

LadyA · Apr 14, 2013

Anyone? Is 7 months too short a wait?

amschilling · Apr 14, 2013

I'm not sure, LadyA. Just glad to see you're still out there fighting the fight.

I might wait for the year-mark myself, but no idea if that's the norm. 6+ months might be more than enough if it's significantly different, and bears no resemblence to the other one in the Q. Hopefully someone else will come along w/ a better answer.

suki · Apr 14, 2013

LadyA said:
So I queried TH£ BRIGHT£ST F£LL about 7/8 months ago now, and had a few very near misses but no bites. Now, I've totally revamped it, edited it, changed it from a dark contemp into a psych thriller, changed the ending, worked on characters, etc - and changed the title and query letter.

I really want to give it another try and query it again, but am I allowed to re-query agents I've already sent it to once (at least 7 months ago)? Because I sent it to my favourite agents, and I'm worried I've messed up my chances with it.

Thank you!

It's not really just a matter of time. It's a matter of you already queried those agents with this project. So, if you decide to requery them, you should be up front in the query that you previously queried them. And for anyone who actually read a partial/full, that they read it but you have substantially revised and wonder if they would be interested in taking a second look.

~suki

Siri Kirpal · Apr 14, 2013

Sat Nam! (literally "Truth Name"--a Sikh greeting)

Usually it's okay, but check the agents' websites. Some say not to requery no matter what.

Blessings,

Siri Kirpal

VGeary · Apr 14, 2013

suki said:
if you decide to requery them, you should be up front in the query that you previously queried them.

~suki

I second what suki says. Be honest that you've already queried them (especially if they read a partial or full), but then tell them you've made substantial changes to the story and hope they might be interested in taking a second look. The worst they can do? Say no thanks again.

wampuscat · Apr 14, 2013

I've heard that 6 months is ok if the book has been significantly revamped. And even then, you might try a new title.

But Suki's right that some agents do prefer not to be queried again for the same work.

LadyA · Apr 15, 2013

wampuscat said:
I've heard that 6 months is ok if the book has been significantly revamped. And even then, you might try a new title.

But Suki's right that some agents do prefer not to be queried again for the same work.

I've got a new title and a very different query, so I'm hoping it'll be okay?

Thanks for all your replies

rnpudel · Apr 17, 2013

I think it's fine. New genre. New title. New scenes. New concept. I'd say it's dang near a new book. In my opinion. I think I'd do it.

SKDaley · Apr 23, 2013

I'd say do it. Brand new concept, query, new characters, etc. It sounds like you have a new book. Without significant rewrites, I wouldn't try it, but if it is as different as you say, go ahead. Really, unless the agent read a full manuscript, would they have any idea from your query that it's a second-run? Agents read hundreds of queries a month, I doubt they'll remember yours, especially if it is so different.

katci13 · Apr 23, 2013

Yes, go for it! And do alert the near misses that they read the old version. It may help...may not. But if they liked your writing before, there's a good chance they'd like it again and be interested in the revamp.

Drachen Jager · Apr 23, 2013

No, they know. They remember perfectly well what they've seen and a new title does not change that.

A few agents say it's okay to requery after 12 months with a complete revamp of the manuscript. Most agents will not be upset with you, but you're really not going to get much traction out there.

katci13 · Apr 23, 2013

Drachen Jager said:
No, they know. They remember perfectly well what they've seen and a new title does not change that.

Not really. If you were reading a hundred queries a day, there's no way you would remember everything. If they were interested before, I think they would, but on just a query, probably not. I had a friend re-query an agent after 3 months because she had forgotten she had already queried that agent. Found the original email later. Got a rejection the first time. Got a request the second time.

Regardless, I do hear most agents say it's okay to re-query if there's been a complete overhaul.

JanetReid · Apr 23, 2013

So you requery. What's the VERY worst thing that could happen? An agent sends ninjas to your house to roll you in peanut dust and coat you in chocolate, to sell you as candy on the subway?

Agents are looking for good books. If you've got one, query.

The "don't re-query unless asked" thing is for people who tinker with the opening chapter or just fiddle with the title and then send again. Or worse, the ones who assume you didn't actually read the pages (cause if you had of course you would have signed them on the spot!) and send it again.

It sounds like you've done major work on this. Query it with confidence.

Drachen Jager · Apr 24, 2013

J.Reid said:
It sounds like you've done major work on this. Query it with confidence.

That's the first time I've heard this from an actual agent.

Good to know.

Susan Coffin · Apr 24, 2013

J.Reid said:
An agent sends ninjas to your house to roll you in peanut dust and coat you in chocolate, to sell you as candy on the subway?

I had no idea agents did stuff like this to writers.

Drachen Jager · Apr 24, 2013

Susan Littlefield said:
I had no idea agents did stuff like this to writers.

>shudders< I don't want to talk about it.

Do not piss Janet Reid off folks. That's all I'm going to say.

LadyA · May 6, 2013

Thanks so much everyone! And it's so helpful to hear an agent's perspective too, so thank you, Ms. Reid.
I'm going to send it off today, and fingers crossed this time's the charm

SpinningWheel · May 7, 2013

Good luck! x

Cathy C · May 7, 2013

J.Reid said:
So you requery. What's the VERY worst thing that could happen? An agent sends ninjas to your house to roll you in peanut dust and coat you in chocolate, to sell you as candy on the subway?

Remind me not to buy candy in the subways.

BTW, thanks so much for offering your expertise here at AW. :Hug2:

SusanH · May 17, 2013

I did just that..... I revamped my book and re-titled it. I sent it out to a few agents but being only 30,000 word memoir, no one is interested. The one agent who gave me pointers, I re-sent it to her and it had been 4 months and I haven't heard from her. I revealed what I had done and all the help she had given me and I wanted to ask her to re read it....but nothing yet....

Re-querying agents after 7 months - with revamped MS

LadyA

Always lurking, never posting...

LadyA

Always lurking, never posting...

amschilling

suki

Opinionated

Siri Kirpal

Swan in Process

VGeary

Keep calm, write on

wampuscat

Recovering adjective addict

LadyA

Always lurking, never posting...

rnpudel

SKDaley

katci13

creative genie

Drachen Jager

Professor of applied misanthropy

katci13

creative genie

JanetReid

Drachen Jager

Professor of applied misanthropy

Susan Coffin

Tell it like it Is

Drachen Jager

Professor of applied misanthropy

LadyA

Always lurking, never posting...

SpinningWheel

Cathy C

Ooo! Shiny new cover!

SusanH