It's Query Season!
You have only to follow a few literary agents on twitter to see jewels from their slush piles and cryptic, excited messages about the ones they want to represent rather than simply mock. (Though the mocking is hilarious, too.)
So if you've got a project that's ready--really ready--get out there in the open and try to be the biggest target you can be for those agents...but in a good way.
- And don't forget to stop to smell the roses with Natalie Whipple. Agent Elana Roth also talks about why things don't go as fast as we'd like.
- Join yesterday's twitter discussion on how agents SHOULD be paid still going on at author Victoria Strauss' blog.
- Or follow agent Colleen Lindsay on twitter to take part in today's controversial discussion on author advances, and whether or not they should be eradicated.
(And yes, I do have queries on the brain. I'm so pathetic, I dreamed of getting a follow-up letter from the agent with my full manuscript, just to let me know she hadn't gotten to it yet. As if agents have time for stuff like that! Silly brain!)
Query season sounds about right. Don't lose hope, though. You only need one agent, so no stressing out already, okay?
ReplyDeleteBest wishes!
Great post, Katrina! I hadn't realized it was query season (oh, that makes me imagine all these poor queries stalking along, totally oblivious to the rifles in the trees above...).
ReplyDeleteYou rock, Amparo! I'm def not losing hope. I outlined my future plan to Tall Bright and Handsome yesterday. If this round of queries and requests comes up empty, I will:
ReplyDelete1) go back to beta reading stage
2) run through another two drafts of revision
3) work on my query letter for a month
4) research a whole new list of agents (sadly, because I've almost exhausted my favorites list)
But I noticed on querytracker.com there are more than a hundred agents out there, so there's bound to be somebody perfect for Drats! Foiled Again!, maybe somebody I haven't even heard of. *shrugs* There's always hope.
Kat, it makes me feel better to imagine that we're the ones being hunted and not the other way around. :-) The queries want to be caught! No worries. lol. You're so sweet.
ReplyDeleteWow about your recent cruise, girl! Those pictures are breathtaking!
My query is getting close to being ready! Sounds like I better hurry and of course make sure I got it right. :)
ReplyDeleteOh no, Janet. Never hurry! See Natalie's post linked above (smell the roses).
ReplyDeleteMy post is meant to note the influx of queries. I'm sure this influx says more about the habits of writers than it does about the preferences of agents.
Take your time to write the best book and best query letter possible. I rushed my query out, and now wonder if that's where I'm lacking.
Congratulations on your 150 followers, btw!
Thank you so much for all the links, Katrina! There do seem to be "seasons" when agents and editors talk about queries more than others. But in all times, a good query and an excellent manuscript stand out, regardless. Good luck with your querying!
ReplyDelete