The Harsh Truth About Querying Literary Agents You Need to Hear
Published 2024-06-30
Querying is the process of trying to get a literary agent or independent publisher for your manuscript. Many people begin the querying process with misconceptions or flawed attitudes about how it works. What is the truth about querying and traditional publishing? It's this: that this is a BUSINESS. At the end of the day, literary agents have a finite amount of time, and they are looking to support themselves. This means that you may receive generic rejections or no responses.
Many authors also have a frankly entitled attitude, believing they are above reproach and refusing to accept that anyone might reject them. In reality, writing and any creative career comes with rejection, and if you can't handle that, you might not be ready for the realities of this career.
Is it harsh? Yes. Does it suck? Kinda. Is it true? Also yes.
Let me know about your querying experience in the comments!
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All Comments (5)
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Let me know your thoughts or experiences with the querying process! Additionally, if you're interested in becoming a beta reader for my current WIP - a 1930s historical mystery homage to Agatha Christie and the Golden Age of Detective Fiction - please express your interest at the link: forms.gle/KzGGfU1C85rpHdY38
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Preach, Jackie, preach! You said so much of what I think sometimes when I see comments like some of these on QueryTracker. I’ve seen comments that have gotten mad at a rejection after an hour too with the same ‘I sent a query, three chapters, and a synopsis. There’s no way they reviewed all of that.’ And it’s like they may not have needed to to decide (like you mentioned). If it’s gonna be a rejection, I’d totally rather a quick one than a CNR lol. A query rejection after 1.5 years-ish is wild tho lol, but def no need call the agent a sociopath. Once a writer starts calling agents out of their names, I think it might be a good idea for them take a bit of a break from querying. This video was a great reminder to me to keep the business mindset when I start querying. It’s easy to forget after awhile in the trenches. Thank you!
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Great video. You and I are in the same boat with roughly the same number of rejections. I agree that it doesn't take three hours to read a query. I, personally, love same day rejections. I can get on with querying the next agent. That doesn't, in the least, prevent me from throwing another ten plates against the wall. But there's really no sense in lashing out at agents. I do sometimes scratch my head though. I recently wrote a YA novella giving several agents EXACTLY, and I do mean EXACTLY what they claimed they were looking for. They all turned up their noses. Am I a poor writer or are they bad at their job? I ultimately take a cynical view of the whole process. I've read enough "bestsellers" to know that quality isn't what decides a book's success. Gratefully, no agent has critiqued my submissions. I get nothing or I get form letters. I'm okay with that. I'm not looking for their opinion. I can get that elsewhere. I expect them to be agents and to leave the writing to authors. I'm looking for representation.
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I've been querying for two months and I admit I want to give up already. I won't lie, rejections suck. I let myself have a moment, but then I let it go and remind myself rejection is part of being a writer. And I certainly don't lash out at the agents who rejected me.
