Not everyone will like our work. And while it´s tough, it´s also a reminder for later, you know when we´re all published and getting reviews. Some flattering, some -hmmm-less.
As always, the YA community is really helpful during those crazy times, as well as my hubby (thanks hubby for believing in me). The support through email, blog and twitter is wonderful, and I wish I could just hang out with you all in real life, over a drink or two!
I haven´t sent a lot of queries. Yet. I´m taking my first steps, but I already had my heart in my throat and butterflies in my stomach. There are some stories out there about writers getting an agent within days, and really I´m happy for them. They help me dream. But there are also those that had to wait months, years before getting represented. And you know what? Those stories also help me dream.
It all comes down to one. We just need that one agent who believes in our work, in our book, and in our career. Of course, we have lists of preferred agents, when we start querying because most of us do our research. We read agents´ blogs, and agency guidelines, their recent sales, also making sure that they are taking on new clients. But we never know how everything will develop. Sarah LaPolla said it much better than me in her blog in October: “Writing is hard enough, let alone querying. Take one solace where you can and know that your dream agent is out there, but it’s not up to you to decide who that is until he or she reads your work. They will come to you.”
Many writers have shared their query success over the past years…here are just a few, in case you want stories to make you smile, while you´re waiting. And don´t forget to KEEP WRITING 😀
- My first sale by Meg Cabot
- Good news, good news, GOOD NEWS! by Katy Upperman
- I HAVE BIG NEWS! by Jessica Love
- How I got my agent columns on Writer´s Digest
- When Fizzy met Sarah – How I got my Agent by Fizzygrrl
So, tell me – how is your writing going? Have you already sent queries in the big wild world?
Elodie Nowodazkij 
It took me months, with two breaks in there to rework my manuscript and query. I know someone who got an agent in days though. You never know. Best of luck to you.
When I get rejections I like to imagine that one day they’ll just be part of my story, and I’ll be able to inspire someone to keep going just like other people’s query/agent stories inspire me now 🙂 It’s still hard but you have to try to find something good in it all!
Aww, thanks for linking to my querying story, Elodie… It was sort of fun to reread. 🙂 And best of luck with your querying! I have my fingers crossed for you, and I’m very much looking forward to lots of good news in your future! Hope you’re having a great weekend! ❤
According to Querytracker, I’ve sent 23 out so far…so yeah, we’ll see how this goes 🙂 (but you already know all about my progress/rejections haha)
I was going to ask…what is the roller coaster at the top of your post? It looks suspiciously like “Alpengeist” a roller coaster from an amusement park that I grew up close to. If it *is* Alpengeist, this might be the best random internet coincidence ever 🙂
It’s important to get encouragement where you can. Luckily, there’s a lot of it around, and a lot of inspirational stories from very good-hearted people. Best of luck to you! 🙂
I feel like I’m taking it pretty slow compared to a lot of other people and waiting for responses before sending out another batch. But, as you say, other people’s makes me hopeful that my chance is coming too 🙂 Good luck!
My fingers are crossed for you, Elodie! You’re right–it only takes one. Every query sent, regardless of the outcome, is a step in the right direction!
Each rejection puts you one step closer to finding that agent who loves your story and want to represent it! 🙂 The waiting game is definitely challenging (especially for impatient people like me), but I’m sure it will all be worth it in the end. Keeping my fingers and toes crossed for you! 🙂
Good luck!!! My fingers are crossed for you and I know you’ll find your dream agent soon! 😉
Thanks for sharing this encouraging post! I’m not at the querying stage yet and the mere thought of it scares me, so it’s nice to hear about the experiences of others who are going through it. Hope you get some really good news from an agent soon 🙂
I’d like to share my favorite quote about writing that I hope will keep your dreams alive and make the wait time a little less painful:
“This manuscript of yours that has just come back from another editor is a precious package. Don’t consider it rejected. Consider that you’ve addressed it ‘To the editor who can appreciate my work’ and it has simply come back stamped ‘Not at this address.’ Just keep looking for the right address.”
— Barbara Kinglsolver
Best of luck with your queries, Elodie. 🙂
I’m going the self-pubbed route, so it’s a little different, but right now I’m sending out review requests to different bloggers and keeping my fingers crossed.
Best of luck to you through your querying process!
I’m going to be in the same boat as you very soon, querying for the very first time. I’m nervous, but excited to finally be at this step. One of my writer friends just got an agent and she’s inspiring me to keep going so I can start submitting and hopefully land my own agent soon.
Good luck!!
Fingers crossed for you! Enjoy the fun parts and keep your chin up during the tougher ones–persistence and patience are your closest comrades right now 🙂
As someone who is going through it now, I agree it’s definitely a challenging process but it’s totally worth it…best of luck to you!