Everyone is doing the best they can. Thank you for being awesome. I’m grateful for rejections because they confirm at least the first line of my query got read (yours is in my rejection bouquet)
And I just got one today from a query sent 9 months ago! Which makes me go - hey! They actually took a look and bothered to respond! Even a rejection is ‘being seen’ to some degree!
I wish I could say I was organised and crafty enough to have printed all my rejections and origami’d them into roses to keep in a vase (I think Stephen King stapled his to a wall?), but at least I hold a mental construct of this. I do see rejections as a gift. Mine have forced me to understand my story on different levels, to best express it in a query. The analysing has been a real challenge with my neurodivergence, but it feels really good when I unlock another layer.
I don't understand any lighthearted attitude toward rejection. Rejection is bad. Rejection is failure. Rejection means you weren't good enough. Worst of all, rejection means you severely miscalculated. Such a miscalculation calls into question your judgment. Without judgment, a writer is nothing.
I disagree! All the things I reject aren't "bad." I reject good books all the time, because I cannot represent ALL the books. You are not aiming for a 100% success rate with queries. It only takes one yes to get an agent. Queries are about being in the right place at the right time.
Further, all writers will get more rejections than acceptances throughout their whole career. When I send books to editors we get more rejections than offers. It only takes one offer, too! I like racking up rejections because it means I've had a lot of times at bat. Gonna hit a homer eventually.
Thanks Kate. I know what you mean. But I still won't send an unsolicited query. I am an avid reader of BookPage and Publishers Weekly. It takes some doing, but if you drill down into any author's background, none is a slush pile writer. They all had academic or industry connections. That's what I'll work on.
That's a valid way to look at it. I expect you have a lot of Capricorn (the Wise Teacher and Taskmaster) energy. I have a lot of Gemini (Childlike) energy. I think without humour, life is harder than it needs to be. I believe that without heart, a writer has nothing for others to resonate with. And if I know I'm going to experience a lot of something, I've learned I'd best find a way to enjoy it.
Have you considered adding a pinned note somewhere on your social media telling potential querying authors what date of queries you're caught up to? The late (sorely missed) Janet Reid used to do this. It means people both won't query you if they want a fast response, and also won't worry that you "still" haven't replied so ages.
It's okay to take a while to reply, just as long as everyone knows that's the deal. Wishing you fresh coffee and cookies! You don't even get paid for answering queries.
Thanks for sharing about this so honestly, Kate. Jam-packed inboxes have become a way of life. I'm glad you set boundaries on your time. That's modeling healthy behavior and work-life balance, even if it's not what we writers want to hear.
So much patience and empathy needed on all sides of the publishing industry (and of life, I'd argue). Thanks for this thoughtful post on what it's like to be inundated with possible new authors as you try to live your life like the rest of us!
Thanks for the honest reality. So much advice to authors is “Query consistently and follow up regularly!” Without the context of “Agents are humans too, a slow response doesn’t mean you’re awful and they hate you.” 😆
If it makes you feel any better: your longer answer time has a silver lining (for me anyway!). My rookie self queried you (and too many others, sad face) when I wasn’t anywhere near ready. I’ve had many rejections, rightly so, some with constructive feedback, making me see the errors of my way. Except now I can’t query these lovely agents again with the same project. But with you, I’ve had plenty of time to withdraw and take my time to learn more about the craft and revise thoroughly. I couldn’t have done that if you’d answered faster, so you did me a favour! Yay for 11 months response time! Does it mean you’ll love my query when I send it again? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ but at least I’ll have sent my best effort and that makes me feel less stressed, not something that can be said often when in the querying trenches.
Well if you'd just be a jerk, then no one would want to work with. you. Inbox problem solved!! Hashtag sarcasti-font. Thanks for this explanation - when I stop to think about what an agent's inbox/querymanager box must look like, I'm amazed that there are any agents left in the business.
This helps us writers understand what agents face--and it's a lot. And also, I love that you actually answer people. That makes a huge difference so thank you.
I get it! After teaching language arts for years, I’d drag my work bag home—and end up leaving it under the dining room table, because I just couldn’t face it! They were 5th and 6th grade writers! But then I realized how immediate feedback, in teaching anyway, was much more impactful. So I switched my strategy, sat side by side with the student and expected less of myself in terms of reading it all. I read shorter, gave more feedback and didn’t try to nitpick over everything. One or two things could be teachable, and that was more helpful to the kids and to me. This is a lot, I know. But, working smaller, not harder, made me better. I’m so glad you’re still open to queries—happy holidays to you—just burn through those babies!! lol! You can probably tell if it’s a yes or a no more quickly than you think, and then you can live your own good life without them hanging over your head!! 💃
Thank you for this post. As a writer with very practical information on queries, I found your straightforward honesty about the process very refreshing and enlightening. Nice nod to Rent, too, by the way. :-)
Everyone is doing the best they can. Thank you for being awesome. I’m grateful for rejections because they confirm at least the first line of my query got read (yours is in my rejection bouquet)
And I just got one today from a query sent 9 months ago! Which makes me go - hey! They actually took a look and bothered to respond! Even a rejection is ‘being seen’ to some degree!
I love, 'Rejection Bouquet' so, soooooo much! Can you elaborate?
I wish I could say I was organised and crafty enough to have printed all my rejections and origami’d them into roses to keep in a vase (I think Stephen King stapled his to a wall?), but at least I hold a mental construct of this. I do see rejections as a gift. Mine have forced me to understand my story on different levels, to best express it in a query. The analysing has been a real challenge with my neurodivergence, but it feels really good when I unlock another layer.
I don't understand any lighthearted attitude toward rejection. Rejection is bad. Rejection is failure. Rejection means you weren't good enough. Worst of all, rejection means you severely miscalculated. Such a miscalculation calls into question your judgment. Without judgment, a writer is nothing.
I disagree! All the things I reject aren't "bad." I reject good books all the time, because I cannot represent ALL the books. You are not aiming for a 100% success rate with queries. It only takes one yes to get an agent. Queries are about being in the right place at the right time.
Further, all writers will get more rejections than acceptances throughout their whole career. When I send books to editors we get more rejections than offers. It only takes one offer, too! I like racking up rejections because it means I've had a lot of times at bat. Gonna hit a homer eventually.
Thanks Kate. I know what you mean. But I still won't send an unsolicited query. I am an avid reader of BookPage and Publishers Weekly. It takes some doing, but if you drill down into any author's background, none is a slush pile writer. They all had academic or industry connections. That's what I'll work on.
That's a valid way to look at it. I expect you have a lot of Capricorn (the Wise Teacher and Taskmaster) energy. I have a lot of Gemini (Childlike) energy. I think without humour, life is harder than it needs to be. I believe that without heart, a writer has nothing for others to resonate with. And if I know I'm going to experience a lot of something, I've learned I'd best find a way to enjoy it.
I can feel the panic!
Have you considered adding a pinned note somewhere on your social media telling potential querying authors what date of queries you're caught up to? The late (sorely missed) Janet Reid used to do this. It means people both won't query you if they want a fast response, and also won't worry that you "still" haven't replied so ages.
It's okay to take a while to reply, just as long as everyone knows that's the deal. Wishing you fresh coffee and cookies! You don't even get paid for answering queries.
Marvelous suggestion. It’s the not hearing and not knowing the deal that makes one feel powerless. ❤️
Thanks for sharing about this so honestly, Kate. Jam-packed inboxes have become a way of life. I'm glad you set boundaries on your time. That's modeling healthy behavior and work-life balance, even if it's not what we writers want to hear.
Just curious — if you’re 11 months behind in reading queries why are you currently open to queries?
I answer that at the end of the post. I have considered closing again and I may in the future.
So much patience and empathy needed on all sides of the publishing industry (and of life, I'd argue). Thanks for this thoughtful post on what it's like to be inundated with possible new authors as you try to live your life like the rest of us!
Thanks for the honest reality. So much advice to authors is “Query consistently and follow up regularly!” Without the context of “Agents are humans too, a slow response doesn’t mean you’re awful and they hate you.” 😆
Thank you for being honest and for the update.
If it makes you feel any better: your longer answer time has a silver lining (for me anyway!). My rookie self queried you (and too many others, sad face) when I wasn’t anywhere near ready. I’ve had many rejections, rightly so, some with constructive feedback, making me see the errors of my way. Except now I can’t query these lovely agents again with the same project. But with you, I’ve had plenty of time to withdraw and take my time to learn more about the craft and revise thoroughly. I couldn’t have done that if you’d answered faster, so you did me a favour! Yay for 11 months response time! Does it mean you’ll love my query when I send it again? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ but at least I’ll have sent my best effort and that makes me feel less stressed, not something that can be said often when in the querying trenches.
Well if you'd just be a jerk, then no one would want to work with. you. Inbox problem solved!! Hashtag sarcasti-font. Thanks for this explanation - when I stop to think about what an agent's inbox/querymanager box must look like, I'm amazed that there are any agents left in the business.
How could anyone not love you? This is charming. Thanks.
5,000 queries!?! Yikes that is A LOT
That is just soul crushing. I could not.
This helps us writers understand what agents face--and it's a lot. And also, I love that you actually answer people. That makes a huge difference so thank you.
You’re doing great 😍
Thank you for the reality check. You are awesome 😎
I appreciate everyone’s work, everyone’s story and perspective on the world. I learn a lot of great things from it. https://slopegame.onl
I get it! After teaching language arts for years, I’d drag my work bag home—and end up leaving it under the dining room table, because I just couldn’t face it! They were 5th and 6th grade writers! But then I realized how immediate feedback, in teaching anyway, was much more impactful. So I switched my strategy, sat side by side with the student and expected less of myself in terms of reading it all. I read shorter, gave more feedback and didn’t try to nitpick over everything. One or two things could be teachable, and that was more helpful to the kids and to me. This is a lot, I know. But, working smaller, not harder, made me better. I’m so glad you’re still open to queries—happy holidays to you—just burn through those babies!! lol! You can probably tell if it’s a yes or a no more quickly than you think, and then you can live your own good life without them hanging over your head!! 💃
Thank you for this post. As a writer with very practical information on queries, I found your straightforward honesty about the process very refreshing and enlightening. Nice nod to Rent, too, by the way. :-)