Dispatch from the query trenches
Happy March! Welcome to this month’s IWSG post, a/k/a my latest dispatch from the query trenches. I continue to labor away, though my querying is winding down. I’ve queried all the agents on my query list that are open to queries. Fortunately, some agents I have my eye on have opened in the new year, so I’ve sent a few more queries out. Otherwise, I’m in waiting mode, which is so much fun.1
Before I whine say more about my querying experience: This post is part of the Insecure Writers Support Group (IWSG) blog hop. On the first Wednesday of every month, we IWSG-ers share our doubts, fears, struggles, and triumphs. Our awesome co-hosts this month are PJ Colando, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, and Natalie Aguirre. Each month our fearless leader (Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh) gives us an optional question to answer. This month’s question is, What elements do you include in your book launch? Or what do you have in mind for your future book launch? Or what advice do you have to offer to others planning to launch a book?
I’ve never done a book launch, so I’m going to be eagerly reading everyone else’s posts and taking notes.
Now, back to the bottom of the query trenches. And yes, I really do picture a good ol’ WWI trench with me lobbing query letters and pitches and sample pages over a fence topped with razor wire that stands between me and a line of agents. Why yes, I am a tad dramatic. I’m a fiction writer, ya know. Drama comes with the job.
Anyway.
The latest from the query trenches
Here are my query stats as of today:
Since last month, I got an additional full request which ultimately resulted in a revise and resubmit–my first one ever. The agent provided thoughtful feedback to guide me if I choose to revise and resubmit. Right now I’m waiting to see what happens with the 3 outstanding partial/full requests I have before I decide whether or not to rework my manuscript.
In my last post, I mentioned that I’d received feedback from 2 other agents, one that didn’t care for my writing style and one that loved the writing but didn’t like the choices the characters made. This latest agent had concerns about the genre blending, that I have a combination thriller, romance, and cozy, and the combo doesn’t quite work. She liked the thriller elements best, which makes me happy, because I do too.
This variety of feedback confirms what agents say in their form rejections: this business is very subjective. The lesson for me is to consider all feedback carefully but don’t rush to make drastic changes, because the very thing one agent/reader dislikes may be the thing another one loves.
So where does this leave me? Still down here in the query trenches, waiting and hoping–and knowing I’ll have learned a lot by the time I’m through. I’ll take that as a win.
Life updates
We are soldiering on and managing to have fun in spite of my husband’s diagnosis and my own health issues. In February we went to Disneyland like the overgrown kids we are. We clocked about 20K steps a day and were completely exhausted when we got home. We also picked up a bug while we were there; Long-Suffering Husband is still coughing. Probably not the smartest move on our part to go to a theme park on a 3-day weekend when we both have lung issues, but it was fun.2 And Rise of the Resistance is the coolest ride I’ve ever been on.
Here we are in Galaxy’s Edge:
This weekend we’re off to Yosemite for a couple of nights at Yosemite Valley Lodge in, well, Yosemite Valley3. We’re so lucky to live 2 hours from the park.
The memery
This one is painfully true:
Me jotting down writing ideas right before bed:
Me in general:
And finally, let’s end this post on a classy note4:
If that superhero exists, I want to design his costume.
That’s it for me this time. I hope I’ve helped make your screen bright and funny.
- Narrator: It was not, in fact, fun.
- If my life had a motto, it would be: Probably not the smartest move, but it was fun.
- Duh, it’s right there in the name.
- You have been warned.
14 Comments
Jacqui Murray
It was interesting reading about your agent experiences. I’ve given up on querying so out of touch with that horrid experience. I enjoyed your comments
Janet Alcorn
Yeah, querying isn’t fun, though I’ve enjoyed interacting with the agents who requested pages. Getting a few positive responses, even if they don’t lead to representation, is encouraging.
alexjcavanaugh
Hopefully the new agent options fare better.
Sorry you got sick but glad you had fun.
Janet Alcorn
Thanks!
cleemckenzie
There’s no better cure for anything than Disneyland!
Janet Alcorn
Right?! I may grow old, but I refuse to grow up.
Esther O'Neill
Hi,
Admire your determination, sending out queries.
In the end, after too many major rewrites, I backed away, encouraged, to by my late mentir ‘ The Spy’
– codebreaker, WWII , Close to 90, she guided me to indie.
Wonder what she’d make of now ?
Janet Alcorn
I’m definitely thinking about indie, but I’d really rather go trad if I can. We’ll see.
Anna
Looks like you’re getting there. Detailed feedback is one step away from complete acceptance. Fingers crossed.
Don’t you dare give up now. 🙂
Janet Alcorn
Definitely not giving up. I’ve gotten good feedback on the concept and on my writing, and that’s super encouraging.
Joanne
Love your footnotes! I can see how writing submissions would be so subjective. I often felt that way about most writing assignments even in high school and college!
Janet Alcorn
I don’t remember where I got the idea for funny footnotes, but I’ve been doing them since before I started blogging. Then I read Chuck Wendig’s Gentle Writing Advice and saw that he does this too. Yay! I’m in good company.
SE White
Querying is just the worst. I’ll wish you all the luck!
And how fun to go to Disneyland. The Star Wars part is so incredible. Enjoy Yosemite as well! The recent storms should make it a gorgeous trip. Happy IWSG day.
Janet Alcorn
Yeah, querying can be rough. I don’t hate it, but it’s quite the emotional rollercoaster.
Yosemite is always gorgeous, but yeah, with the snow it should be spectacular. Happy IWSG day to you too!