1/28/09

Just a update, nothing new to share right now.

Queries Sent: 11

Rejected: 9

Back to it...

I'm back at work, preparing a new batch of goodness to send out. Got another rejection that I sent out at the first of the year, but reading over the query I am not surprised it got rejected. Horrid would be an appropiate description.

Queries Sent: 10

Rejected: 8

Genre

So been just thinking about a change of genre, not changing the book but how I label it. Assuming it means a lot as an agent considers the query, showing it in a new light might be worth while. Also considered the story fantasy fiction however browsing the book stores and gauging what is displayed on the fantasy fiction aisles, I believe there could be another spot for my novel. Could be a mistake, but it is certainly worth a shot. Have been not sending out as many queries this week, so much going on but time to try again.

Queries sent: 10

Rejected: 7

Updated 1/22/09

So I just sent out another query which I found completely ridiculous and funny at the same time. It said nothing of what the book was about but so far it has lasted longer then 7 minutes. My little buddy from the other day is gone but not forgotten! I however did get a good laugh so now I'm sitting here in my habitat *work* considering looking up some new unsuspecting agent to send them the same thing.

Sent: 9

Rejected: 6

Poke it until it bleeds

So on a previous query letter, I got rejected within seven minutes of sending the email. Does this hurt my feelings? Not at all, in an attempt to set a new record, I sent a new query letter to the same agent at exactly 5pm on the dot and hope that she has gone home for the day. Regardless of how bad my letter maybe, it will sit in her inbox beyond the previous seven minutes of bliss. So where ever you are little query letter of mine, be strong!

On happier note, I'm writing pretty regularly now and glad to be back into the routine of putting ideas on paper. If I could just write and never worry about selling myself (soul optional) to an agent, life would be grand. Yet what is the point of writing something that nobody will ever see?

Back to the queries...

Sent: 8

Rejected: 5

Updated, query lasted 52 minutes this time! Good job there little query letter, you will be missed.

A bend in the sidewalk

Another day, another rejection! I'm not feeling bad about it however, I felt it was a pretty good query that I sent, just didn't work for that agent at that time. I am however thinking more along the lines of something else I read about unagented writers trying to find creditentials. So I've begun working on a new project after some much needed advise of a family member. If I would only listened earlier it might of been easier all along. So I've started writing a short story not so much fantasy fiction but something I can work on that isn't so indepth as a novel and still focus on finding an agent that is right for me. So the first week of the new year is over, actually been over a couple days now yet there has been progress and rejections. I'll work on my new story that i'm excited about and I'll continue to perfect the query letter.

Queries sent: 6

Rejected: 4

Last minute update to update a new rejection letter.

Personally sent to you

I have no idea if I'm getting better or worse at these queries, with zero feedback I'm forced to judge on the effectiveness based on time the query is out. I know that is probably silly and has no bearing but it is all that I've got right now. I'm okay with form rejections by the dozens however it would be nice for one agent to take a moment and give me something else. I know they are super busy people and this business is heartless but I can still hope.

Queries sent: 6

Rejected: 2

New approach

It is only the 6th day of the new year but I've already decided to change the way I submit. Don't want to go into the details righ tnow but I just sent another query out, so we will see. Really don't expect to see a difference in the standardized rejection letter but who knows.

Queries sent: 5

The big R: 2

Off and running

So it has begun, the queries are out and running. We shall see what happens this year. I can only hope one fish will bite but we shall see. This is one of the best days I've ever had, regardless how many rejections get sent back.

Queries sent: 4

Rejection: 2

A query is a what?

I've been talking about these query letters that writers submit to literary agencies, atleast I've been thinking about them, but I can say I've just completed one that I'm actually happy about. Who knows by tomorrow this particular query could be so cut down or cut up and tossed into the trash it won't be worth saving, but for now I like it. We will see if there is any particular response to this query letter pasted below. Enjoy, is only the partial of a letter I am going to send on Monday, but it gives you an idea of what it is.


Somer could recall with utmost clarity her first passionate desire as a small girl, to experience the true blessing of bestowing life upon a child of her own, but that dream could never come true since her gift had been snatched away during an escapee’s vicious attempt at revenge against her grandmother. Now an adult Somer Brisko must face the reality of her traumatic injury while tormented by visions of children that seemingly taunt her, children that could never be hers and avoid going insane. Moving away from her home state desperate for a change, Somer inadvertently steps into the path of the same convict, once again victim to the cruel fate, she hangs in the balance of something magical. Pushed to the breaking point and then beyond, even for the confines of her mind, Somer awakens in a mysterious kingdom as her reality collapses. Thrust into a land of magic and dangerous creatures, Somer must survive in the land of Molior as her part in an ancient fable slowly unfolds to reveal itself and a seed placed deep inside her womb begins to develop.

I am seeking representation for my novel, Maiden of the Song which has a strong feminine lead character that progresses through the story from high school teenage sweetheart to battle worn woman and mother of grace. This is the first novel of a possible series, with the second story also freestanding, in progress.

Queries sent: 1

Working it...

So I've finished the book so i'm not really celebrating just yet. So much to do and I've caught up to a point I am happy with. So now comes the challenge of finding an agent that will be willing to sell my work to a publishing company. This is what they call the "hard part" but I never would of expected it as I struggled through a difficult scene in my story that much later would be harder. But it is, yet I'm not hating it. I have writen what I believed to be a great query letter to one particular agent then only hours later reconsider the greatness. It is not a big loss as 99% of my query letters have been rejected thus far. So I will rework that same letter again, this time making the changes I deemed necessary and resend it to another elusive agent.

Since it is the first of the year figured why not try to keep up with how many I send out. It would be really cool to show how much time I spent in 08 working on these queries and a decent synopsis or how many I sent out total yet I'm unable to even begin to guess. Really if I tried to attempt and calculate the amount of time put into my project I am certain it would make everyone laugh. Since I'm not a celebrity this is something that has to be earned, it most certainly will not be given to me.

One thing that does make the day better is that since I'm not trying to do a synopsis, I can actually work on book 2.

Queries sent:
1