Today, I submitted queries to five different agents. Let the waiting game begin.
For those of you going “huh?” this is the next step in getting my book traditionally published: convincing a literary agent he/she should represent my work. The most important thing for me is finding a literary agent of integrity with whom I work well, who honestly loves my work, and is willing to push for my success as a published author. I would love it if this person also became my friend.
And so … a professional editor has looked at my manuscript and made suggestions; I revised accordingly. I searched for literary agents and paid close attention to the submission requirements of many different literary agencies. Next, I wrote a query letter that could be adapted to address different agents. I already had an elevator pitch that could also work as a brief book synopsis for agents that request them.
Then, I followed the advice of an already successful author. I made a spreadsheet of over one hundred literary agents and placed them into tiers: first, second and third. First tier agents are the ones who successfully pitch novels to the big publishers, have illustrious clients, and/or have been hailed as the best sales-wise in my genre. Second tier agents are not so renowned but still have successful clients in their niche. I would be content to have them represent me and pitch to a smaller publisher. Third tier agents are probably good agents but might not be the best fit for me, for one reason or another. Depending on their response (or lack thereof) I will know if I have a good query letter/pitch. They will help me hone my query letter.
And now, I have begun to cast out my queries, like so much bait. Next step: pray for God to bless me, and see if I get any bites from the selected fishies.
If all else fails, I can always publish independently on Amazon, or something. However, it would not do to give up hope with the boat’s motor still idling. My fishing trip has only begun.
This shall all turn out for the best, as the LORD wills it.
Cycle of Tehara 
3 responses to “Resolution: to Query”
I would never want to go through that again!
Ironically. when I finally sold a novel, it was without an agent. I’ve had three different agents and none of them ever sold anything for me.
Don’t be afraid to go out there without an agent.
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Do you mean, query the publisher directly or self-publish?
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I never self-publish. Of course, now I *have* a publisher, so I don’t have to worry about that.
It must be said that getting a book published is almost unimaginably difficult. It can only be accomplished by persistence.
And it’s a very, very valuable thing to be able to make some contacts in the industry–a friendly editor or two, a published writer. If nothing else, they can at least encourage you.
But agents? It was my experience that they are overrated. They’ll work hard for a writer who’s already successful and practically guaranteed publication: that’s how they make their money. I’m sorry to say this, but I don’t think an agent will do you any good UNTIL AFTER YOU DON’T NEED AN AGENT ANYMORE!
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