I was just wondering at what point, assuming your queries aren't getting request for partials/fulls, do you take another look at your query and change it? How many no-request rejections would it take for you?
I know getting an agent can take 100+ queries, and that the reasons for rejection can span from "critical problem with query" to "stars just didn't align", but I think it could be an interesting topic to discuss. Personally, I was kind of eyeing the 20 rejection-without-request mark before I took a step back and really tried to shake things up.
Also, sorry if wrong forum. Wasn't sure where to put this; felt like more of an ask-other-writers thing than an ask-agents thing. *shrug*.
UPDATE:
SO, it's been a hot minute since I posted this. I had 8 rejections at the time and I waited until the 15 response mark (all rejections, all either form or so impersonal I assumed they were form) before I reevaluated my query and sample chapters. Fast forward one year. I'd completed significant revisions on the book and query and started submitting again this July. Now, in November, I've racked up another 20 rejections/no responses. I've had a single full request. I'm wondering again what I might be doing wrong, and whether I should take another step back.
My query letter has been through several look-throughs in Query Letter Hell, and I'd put my opening chapters under special scrutiny (posting chapter one in SYW, with quite a few Beta Readers afterwards). My queries consist of: Dear agent name (I don't use honorifics out of fear of calling a miss a misses), query, book title and genre, with a personalized sometimes added if I saw something in the agent's bio that I felt would spark specific interest in my MS.
I'd read that getting right into the query and avoiding "Dear Agent, I'm seeking representation for my book" is preferable because, obviously I am seeking represntation. Is this actually unprofessional and a turn-off for some agents? I guess I'm looking for any guidance and suggestions people have! This is only the second book I've queried for, and I didn't have enough confidence in the first project to shop it around for so long (I was 16. Enough said I think.)
Also, am I just being paranoid?
I know getting an agent can take 100+ queries, and that the reasons for rejection can span from "critical problem with query" to "stars just didn't align", but I think it could be an interesting topic to discuss. Personally, I was kind of eyeing the 20 rejection-without-request mark before I took a step back and really tried to shake things up.
Also, sorry if wrong forum. Wasn't sure where to put this; felt like more of an ask-other-writers thing than an ask-agents thing. *shrug*.
UPDATE:
SO, it's been a hot minute since I posted this. I had 8 rejections at the time and I waited until the 15 response mark (all rejections, all either form or so impersonal I assumed they were form) before I reevaluated my query and sample chapters. Fast forward one year. I'd completed significant revisions on the book and query and started submitting again this July. Now, in November, I've racked up another 20 rejections/no responses. I've had a single full request. I'm wondering again what I might be doing wrong, and whether I should take another step back.
My query letter has been through several look-throughs in Query Letter Hell, and I'd put my opening chapters under special scrutiny (posting chapter one in SYW, with quite a few Beta Readers afterwards). My queries consist of: Dear agent name (I don't use honorifics out of fear of calling a miss a misses), query, book title and genre, with a personalized sometimes added if I saw something in the agent's bio that I felt would spark specific interest in my MS.
I'd read that getting right into the query and avoiding "Dear Agent, I'm seeking representation for my book" is preferable because, obviously I am seeking represntation. Is this actually unprofessional and a turn-off for some agents? I guess I'm looking for any guidance and suggestions people have! This is only the second book I've queried for, and I didn't have enough confidence in the first project to shop it around for so long (I was 16. Enough said I think.)
Also, am I just being paranoid?
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