I’ve started my querying process in earnest now, and I’ve already noticed a few interesting things. These are definitely not tips (I have no right giving anyone tips on querying when I’ve been doing it for less than two weeks), but things that I would have been interested to know before I started this process. This goes beyond some of the obvious things (including the pain of rejection) and more just “hmmm” moments.
#1 — Sheer numbers: There are SO MANY agents out there. I mean, of course there are a lot of agents, but still. I’ve been looking through both http://manuscriptwishlist.com and Query Tracker and even though I have made lists (both in QT and in Google Sheets) of nearly 100 agents I could be interested in querying, so far I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface
#2 — Genre problems: My novel is speculative fiction. Except when it’s contemporary fantasy. Or sometimes urban fantasy (depending on the definition). Sometimes it’s paranormal. Other times it’s magical realism (except it definitely isn’t because of the historic meaning behind that term). Most places don’t list all of those though, and I have to pick just one. It’s a struggle.
#3 — Questions: For the agents who use online forms (whether with QT or their own agency’s site), they ask a lot of really interesting questions. One agent wanted my favorite sentence from the book. How do I pick just one?!? Do I pick a sentence that I personally like best? Do I pick one that somehow encapsulates the 90,000 word story as a whole? Do I pick one that I think someone will highlight on their Kindle? I picked one, but it was tough! Another agent asked for my favorite character of all time — book, movie, or television. Too many to choose from! I want to rationalize my decision or explain it in a lot of words. I get why they are asking these questions, but every time I see a new one it makes me pause for a while and neurotically obsess over providing the “right” answer (Yes, I know there isn’t one right answer, but still…)via GIPHY#3 — Questions: For the agents who use online forms (whether with QT or their own agency’s site), they ask a lot of really interesting questions. One agent wanted my favorite sentence from the book. How do I pick just one?!? Do I pick a sentence that I personally like best? Do I pick one that somehow encapsulates the 90,000 word story as a whole? Do I pick one that I think someone will highlight on their Kindle? I picked one, but it was tough! Another agent asked for my favorite character of all time — book, movie, or television. Too many to choose from! I want to rationalize my decision or explain it in a lot of words. Let me be clear, this is on ME and my neuroses. I am not saying this to insult the agents at all. I LIKE that they are asking the questions. I just get lost in my own brain trying to find the “right” answer (Yes, I know there isn’t one right answer, but still…).
Anyway. What kinds of things do other newly querying authors notice in the process? Are others struggling with the same thing? I might write more of these as I come up with more reflections.
Thanks for reading!
Howard Wolke -- Author 