#querying agents

[novlr]

#publishing #writers #creative writing #writing #writing community #writers of tumblr #creative writers #writeblr #writing tips #writerblr #writblr #writer stuff #writer community #writers on tumblr #publishing industry #book publishing #rejection #book agents #literary agents #querying agents #writer #writing advice #writing resources #writers and poets #writing stuff #writing blog #novlr #on writing

[hayatheauthor]

Update Regarding My Sudden Hiatus + Author/Publishing News

Guess who's back from the dead!

Jokes aside, I truly do feel terrible for going on hiatus without saying anything, and then I come back and see that I've hit 2k (which btw is absolutely amazing and left me shell-shocked) and that just made me feel worse for leaving unannounced. So, here's everything that's been going on:

(click read more if you want to learn about my experience at my first writer's workshop & pitching to an agent ++ publishing updates for The Traitor's Throne)

If you DON'T want to read more: long story short I'm back and will revamp this blog Monday onwards.

Would you look at that I'm finally getting the hang of Tumblr etiquette!

Anyways, I know if I took the liberty of casually explaining everything we would just be here all day and I would ramble endlessly SO, I'm going to summarise everything into a list:

One of the biggest reasons for my departure was because *insert drum roll* I graduated! That's right, your girl is officially a diploma holder and ready to conquer college! Although I've seen the 'finals week or my final week' meme enough times to start questioning what I signed up for.

My writing life has been a little...disappointing. There's no other way to break it to you folks, but when I started this blog, I was knee-deep in the query trenches, and now, I'm still there. Does that suck? Yes. Am I going to give up? Absolutely not! BUT I do have some changes planned:

I've officially decided if this final shot at traditional publishing doesn't do well, I'm going to give in and self-publish The Traitor's Throne in May-June 2024. Which means you might potentially be able to purchase my baby pretty soon!

BUT I decided to give querying one last shot and actually joined a writer's workshop (which is going on as we speak btw). I joined the online Boston Writing Workshop, I'll drop a review on that on Sunday, but so far I've actually learned A LOT from it, and have decided to give querying another go while implementing what I've learned. Dw I'll also be putting out a review about the workshop on Sunday.

So, here's a summary: I've created a self-publishing deadline for my current project while also giving traditional publishing a final shot. I also joined my first ever writer's workshop this weekend and will be pitching to agents for the first time.

Overall, I think my lack of success in the querying scene kind of made me feel like a fraud when giving writing advice. I'm the type of author who does A LOT of research when I write, which is why I have so many tips on so many topics, but that doesn't make me an expert.

This workshop especially made me realise I've been making some rookie mistakes and focused so much on my story that I forgot the query and synopsis are just as important. Maybe this realisation came too late and I've lost my chance of traditionally publishing The Traitor's Throne, but I am grateful for everything it's taught me.

ANYWAYS—see what I meant by we'd be here the whole day if I didn't use a list??

Let's get back to the important stuff; yes, I will start putting out blogs again, and answering my asks. I'm also thinking of launching a beta reader project where I'll beta read some of your works for free! Stay tuned to see that announcement since it'll come soon.

Thank you so much for supporting this silly little blog of mine, and I hope you have a good weekend! As always, I'll see you on Monday! 💕✨

#hayatheauthor #haya sameer #writing community #haya's book blog #writing tools #writer things #haya blogs #writer community #writing advice #writer tips #querying process #querying #querying agents #haya: talks #haya: navi

[she-posts-nerdy-stuff]

I love your posts, it’s so interesting to read your opinions and summaries!

Any updates on the books you’re writing?

Hi, thanks so much! I’m so glad you enjoy my posts, and thanks for your interest in my book too!

I’m currently in the process of querying agents to see if they’d be interested in representing my book and trying to sell it to publishers, and to be entirely honest it’s not going great. Publishing is a tough business to break into, but I’m holding out hope and by and large I’ve had kind and polite responses even when agents aren’t interested in my work. When something so personal to you is on the line it can be difficult to remind yourself that agents are very busy people and by not responding to you they don’t intend to be rude or to ignore you, they simply have a lot of submissions to look through and only a very small percentage of them will be offered representation.

In terms of the actual writing itself I’ve finished the detailed outline of the second book in the trilogy and begun writing my first full draft. I’m hoping to write my initial rough draft by hand to stop me from editing as I go, and then type everything up to create my second draft. I’m really excited about the progress and I’m looking forward to getting deeper into this book and pushing my characters to new limits as well as further expanding on my worldbuilding.

I’m waiting on response from another 6 agents right now, so hopefully I will be able to share some positive news with you all some time soon, but if not I hope to find another way to share my writing! Thanks for your interest, and I’m so glad you enjoy my posts ❤️

#writing fantasy #writing a book #writing #fantasy writer #writer #writeblr #writers on tumblr #female writers #querying #publishing #querying agents #ya fantasy #fantasy books #fantasy #fantasy world

[jennadevillierwrites]

I don’t want to jinx anything, but it’s been a ✨good week✨ for querying 😌

#writer #amwriting #writing #write #writersoftumblr #writingcommunity #amquerying #queries #querying agents #literary agent #query trenches #query letter

[author-mandi-bean]

How Much Rejection is Too Much?

I’ve been thinking A LOT about rejection lately; generally because I haven’t landed a literary agent yet, and specifically because I recently received the tersest, apathetic rejection I have ever received. It was one line. All it said was, “Not for me–thanks anyway.” I suppose I should be grateful I even received a response, but it felt like a punch in the gut after all the work I spent in not…

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#Author #Blogger #Dick Wimmer #Donal Ryan #Emily Temple #Gen Z Publishing #Her Beautiful Monster #Ireland #Irish Wine #James Joyce #Literary Agents #LitHub #Mandi Bean #Martin Sisters Publishing #Moody Blue #Query Letters #Querying #Querying Agents #Rejection #Samuel Beckett #Stephen King #The Spinning Heart #William Golding #Writer #Writing Community #Writing Groups #Writing Life #Writing Problems

[barryfox]

Tips for Writing a Query Letter for a Non-Fiction Book

Through the years, many people have asked me how to write a query letter for their non-fiction books. (I’m a ghostwriter.)

The query letter is the “pitch note” that you send to literary agents you hope will represent you and your manuscript. 

Here’s a brief summary of things to consider when writing your letter. If you like, you can read more at "How To Write A Query Letter.” 

#1 - Keep it short and sweet!

Keep your query letter to a page, a page and a half at the most. Any longer and you risk boring the agent, while proving that you cannot present your idea and its key selling points quickly and concisely.

#2 - Begin with the proper salutation

The query should always open with a salutation, as in “Dear Ms. Smith” or “Dear John Smith.” Address your query letter to a specific agent at a specific literary agency – and spell the name properly

#3 - Give the book’s hook

The hook, also known as the handle or elevator pitch, is an intriguing statement that answers three important questions: “Why?” “Who cares?” and “What will it do for me?”

#4 - State your purpose and give the basic details

Explain what you’re looking for, as in “I’m seeking representation...” Then, give the basic information: title, subtitle (if any), word count, genre, and the target readership (who will buy your book and why).

#5 - Tell the agent why you picked her or him

Mention why you sent your query letter to this particular agent. Perhaps she represents books similar to yours, or you saw that she requested books like yours on her WishList.

#6 - Identify the target audience

In other words, briefly explain who the book is written for.

#7 - Show them your platform

Mention some of the highlights of your author platform in your query letter. Learn more about the author platform by reading “How to Build Your Author Platform - 8 Key Steps.”

#8 - Explain how you will help sell the book

Briefly detail what you will do to promote and sell your book.

#9 - Tell the agent who you are

Briefly mention who you are and why you’re qualified to write this book.

#10 - Give them a taste of your writing style

Although you should write the letter in a professional manner, you can take the opportunity to demonstrate your writing style. But don’t go to extremes. Remember, the query is a business letter.

#11 - Close properly

End your letter by thanking the agent for reading your query.

#12 – A Few Things to Avoid

Submit a query letter with typos, brag about or belittle yourself, disparage other authors, misrepresent anything about your book or yourself, say that everyone tells you that your book idea is fabulous, use imaginative fonts or layouts, or ramble on.

Good luck with your query letter! 

#query letter #book agents #querying #querying agents #tips for writers

[roach-works]

There is word going around that tumblr is moving to be a legacy project and will eventually be sunsetted. Ive been following your work for probably close to a decade, and id hate to lose track of you if tumblr goes down eventually. Is there anywhere else i can continue to follow and support you?

the sky has been falling on tumblr since forever, and yet i stick around. i don't know where else i'd actually enjoy, and im not interested in having a flood of people pitch me new alternatives. i know what i like, and i like tumblr, so ill probably ride this bizarre hellsite to the very last stop.

i might get a bluesky or a pillowfort eventually--if i do, i'll announce it. im finally going to have more time for creative work this winter, so it's possible i'll finally haul myself bitching and moaning on to instagram.

the boat boys series is getting another novel-length installment; in fact, the sequel to after the storm turned out to be three novels long, and so now the focus is on editing book two act one into publishing shape. it's probably going to be published like After the Storm, as a wordpress serial.

i've also recently finished the rough draft of my first solo novel, a coming of age superhero romcom. it's been pretty funny watching everyone start nano just as i typed The End on a story that took me a year and a half. anyway my goal this winter is to get the manuscript into decent shape and then hunt down an agent. if any agents have also been following my tumblr for a decade, hi, i love you, please save me.

after all that, im thinking ill either learn rug tufting or get really into furry porn. possibly both! gigantic neon monster penis could be a very fun subject for throw rugs.

anyway, i have a lot of cool stuff in motion im very excited to share, and ill find a way to let people know about it. thanks for sticking around!

#roach needs an agent #roach doesn't want to write a million query letters #help

[aritany]

hi! i saw your posts about being not being thrilled with your previous agent -- it seems to me like you were saying you didn't feel like they really understood/appreciated queer stories, and also felt like they were relying on the author-as-influencer phenomenon for marketing. these are both hurdles i anticipate with querying/publishing; do you have any advice? red flags to look out for, questions to ask?

yeah! we outgrew each other professionally and creatively since the time i signed with her. i came out publicly and gave myself the freedom to start telling primarily queer stories, and that just wasn't where her passion and expertise lay (and that's fine!), so parting was was less of a dramatic breakup and more of a natural end to this chapter.

i think the author-as-influencer phenomenon is becoming more and more common as publishing accelerates the way it has been the past few years, and since i haven't started querying again yet, i haven't had the opportunity to speak with other agents about it. i just couldn't get behind the almost frantic time to hustle energy - i really don't need more things to panic about.

in terms of advice: see if you can speak to other authors about their experiences with agents. all people change, and all agents will shift perspectives as they gain experience, but writers are usually more than happy to share their stories. i've heard rumour of a blacklist going around, but i haven't seen it myself, so i can't speak to its credibility.

here are a few examples of questions you can ask when you get to the stage of querying where you've got an offer and are having an interview:

why do you think this story is important?

why do you think queer stories are important in general?

do you believe that social media presence is essential in traditional publishing? is the onus for marketing on the author?

would you ever encourage an author to push past their comfort zone for the sake of selling books? if so, why?

further reading that might interest you:

Red Flag Warnings: How to Spot a Shady Literary Agent

r/PubTips: agent vetting

writer beware: literary agents

#asks #literary agents #querying

[deadpanwalking]

In your opinion is there still space for new authors (that don’t write YA) in the publishing industry?

I'm guessing you mean the traditional publishing industry. I’d be a hypocrite if I told you to burn down the Big Five publishing houses that take up space in your head, but you gotta understand that in addition to the shit that’s always been wrong, there’s a now a huge labor issue on account of the buyouts and layoffs last year, not to mention that the recent layoffs in the journalism industry = less book coverage = less publicity = fewer sales = more layoffs of editorial staff.  The chances of you getting a fair shake with that crowd any time soon are not great. Mind you, this is provided you’ve already locked down a literary agent who either likes your shit or thinks it will sell (birth of first child<the purple 😎 on QueryTracker when you get Offered Representation).  In any case, if you’re pitching literary fiction, get acquainted with reputable small presses, micro-presses, and indie publishers—some take unsolicited manuscripts if you aren't repped.

#every literary agent i know has SUCH a fucking backlog of queries because of the editorial layoffs at the publishing houses #since the publisher doesn't want to pay editors to futz with manuscripts the agents have to pitch shit that's basically ready to go #there's this idea that you can write a novel on a bunch of napkins and if it's worthwhile someone will spruce it up so it's fit to print #but now agents gotta be very fucking picky and they aren't going to pick the Great American Napkin #seriously please stop querying your unreadable typo-infested nanowrimo unabomber manifestos...my friends are dying #anonymous #assbox #one thing i'm seeing more of is writers who started out small press/indie publishers getting contracts with the big boys #so that's another way to skin the proverbial cat

[thebroccolination]

Just because I haven't talked about him in a while, this is my favorite son Win Phawin. He's a good boy. The best boy. Let's let him sleep for a while until I need him to suffer again. ♡

#win phawin wanichakarnjonkul #between us the series #i have so many winteam wips #but i have to finish this draft of my book because i want to start querying agents before summer #and then i can dive back into my wips like scrooge mcduck

[novlr]

Lots of people have told me I should self publish, but I think I still want to try to go through traditionally publishing my book first. I've got a finished manuscript, so how do I go about querying agents to find the best fit?

Pitching your manuscript to literary agents is a length process that requires lots of dedication, and a great deal of research. To get the most out of your querying, you definitely need to go in prepared.

We've put together this walk through for how to pitch your novel to literary agents, including some helpful do's and don'ts at the link below!

#publishing #querying agents #publishing agents #literary agents #book agents #am querying #writing asks #writing blog #writers #creative writing #writing #writing community #writers of tumblr #creative writers #writeblr #writerblr #writing tips #book publishing #trad publishing #traditional publishing #book pitch #book proposal #writer #writing advice #writing resources #writers on tumblr #writers and poets

[hayatheauthor]

I had a dream yesterday night that I got two full requests and was really happy, woke up today and thought nothing of it then came back from school, checked my email, and guess what I saw- a full request!

I was honestly really bummed out about starting another round of queries at the end of August because in the previous round I got 3 fulls that ultimately ended in rejections. Even now I'm scared to post this because what if this full ends up as a rejection too?

But tbh any progress is still progress, and I'm trying my best to look at this whole thing positively. How is everyone else's writing/publishing coming along?

#haya: talks #haya: talks the traitor's throne #querying is a very inconsistent process you really can't predict what comes next #i've gotten a full request within 20 minutes of sending in a query and i've also gotten full requests 4 months later #i've had people say they love my book but can't offer rep because it's not fit for their current list while others think it's the right fit #it really all just depends on the agent's current mindset and work goals #and as annoying as that can be you can't hold it against them #but honestly i can't deny it feels good getting this request kind of like a confirmation that I'm going down the right track #querying agents #literary agent #querying process #traditional publishing

[dduane]

Hi, Diane! Hey, first-time novelist here, and I'm still learning all the ins-and-outs of submitting to agents and publishers. I'm working on drafts for a query letter and synopsis and looking into literary agents to submit them to, for what I hope will be the first in a series of period-fantasy novels based on Classical Greece. Do you have any advice on writing query letters or synopses or for finding agents? Any thoughts or feedback are welcome. Thanks and take care!

I desperately wish I could be of some kind of help to you on this, but I'm an incredible outlier in the Finding an Agent department. My agent came looking for me (on my first editor's recommendation) almost forty years ago, and we're still working together. I didn't even really have time to start looking. So I have no useful data to share.

The point here is that even if I had gone hunting, way back when...the written (and unwritten) protocols for a new novelist to find a first agent have changed beyond recognition in the last decade, let alone the last two or three. When I finally open up the FicFoundry.com writing-advice website that I've been slowly pulling together over the last year and a half, I hope to gather together in one place at least some of the resources that people now most often suggest as useful for new novelists getting into the querying end of things. Meanwhile, all I can tell you is... keep working on those drafts, and make every word count.

HTH!

(ETA: there's a useful thread here on Twitter about how to research agents [due, I'm sure, to the recent debacle at the New Leaf agency, which fired a bunch of its writers by email over the weekend... some of whose agents were purportedly in the middle of sales negotiations with publishers on their behalf. Really egregious behavior. Authors' Guild statement here.] ...Anyway, check the thread out.)

#agents #querying

[author-mandi-bean]

It's Tough Times for Writers

And there’s proof. I’ve been receiving rejection after rejection after rejection from literary agents. It’s been tough; it’s been a litany of defeats without even the smallest victory. I’ve been open about my journey via my blog and other social media platforms, so a lot of my friends and colleagues know what I’m going through, and all of them are so supportive. One such friend, a writer named…

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[bee-barnes-author]

Got my first agent rejection today. Really trying to not let it ruin my confidence in this book.

#the beast in the glass house #it wasn’t meant to be with jim #writeblr #writing #writing community #writers on tumblr #novelist #writers #journal #horror #agent querying #querying

[galaxythreads]

i know - i know - that querying involves a lot of rejections, and by god have I got them, but I got a rejection from an agent I really thought would like my og book and i feel really, really, really discouraged right now. :/

#me as person #i'm ready to throw hands with the stupid series and scream at god and burn everything #or just curl up into a very small ball and cry #i don't know i guess there's just... #querying is in of itself exhausting i wasn't expecting it to BE this exhausting #and I am trying really really hard to keep the agents perspective because I know that they have so so so so many requests #and they can only take the ones that they get brain rot for #and i get that #i do #but it's just #discouraging #to put your hopes out there and then it to end badly over and over #i don't know i rewrote chapter 1 (again) i've rewritten my query 3 times and i just kind a wish i knew what was Not Working #so i could fix that #because i think the book is good??? i just need to lure someone into the pages #i guess. i don't know. i just.