How Is Querying Coming?

It’s been a few weeks of querying on and off now and, to put it frankly, I’m exhausted. I researched literary agents and agencies until my eyes were sore and tailored my query letter until I was sick of reading it. My first batch of queries is out with agents and you would think I would feel relief that this first step is done, but honestly, I feel the opposite.

Trust the Process

As promised, I paid to have my querying package looked at by a professional on Reedsy before I began sending out what I had prepared. I think it was a big help to have someone in the industry outline what most agents will be looking for and it made me feel more confident in what I sent out.

I then turned to my old friend (or enemy?), QueryTracker. This is a database of agents across the world looking for new authors and stories. From there, I researched hundreds of agents to narrow down the scope of who might be interested in this new fantasy book and whittled my options down to those who seemed like they would be the best fit for my story. And then, I queried.

The Waiting Game

In the past, I queried Sirens, Wisteria Drive, and another fantasy book. Obviously, none of these querying attempts were successful, as I ended up self-publishing two of the books because I was eager to get my work out in the world. I knew that these two novels were important and had strong messages even though they were less commercially viable. Because of these past failed querying experiences, though, I know just how brutal and discouraging the process can be.

I have already seen the QueryTracker notification popup on my watch and knew that it was a rejection. Though the first few times I anticipated them, the handful that followed after made me second-guess myself already if I’m being honest. I know that the process is grueling. I have gone through it before. But I am so sure of this book that having almost immediate rejections already feels more discouraging than I expected.

That’s not to say I plan on hanging it up, though. I’m determined to get this book out there in the traditional way. I’ve never wanted anything more, and I believe in this story more than even my past works. There are still several agents I’ve queried who have yet to decide and respond to this first batch.

So now, we wait.