Yeah it sucks. The wait is painful especially during the holidays atm 😅 funny enough I've done about 16 queries so far and am slowing making changes where necessary to things I missed the first time around. The whole thing is a big learning process in itself.
I've sent out about a half-dozen queries so far and gotten one rejection, but it was good rejection and slightly helpful. Some helpful tips and tricks in this video, thanks for sharing! :)
I got I think almost 300ish rejections 😂. Everyone I got to read my book before submitting was, “OMG, when are you writing the next one??” Maybe I didn’t ’sell it’ good enough. Actually glad it’s been rejected-I’ve reflected over the past year and realize I can re-write it into something way more elevated than I thought I could do. But i also feel being pulled in 2 directions where I have another book i want to write, but have ‘unfinished business’ with this one.
I've sent out seven or eight queries over the past six months. I'm not eyeball deep in the query trenches - I'm sending queries when agents post about looking for a book like mine. I haven't seriously queried since 2019 when I met my small press/author co-op. However, I've gotten two full requests so far (knock on wood), which is far better stats than my first query process back in 2016. For my very first book, I think I sent out somewhere in the ballpark of 200 queries without any responses other than form rejections. I see know that the MS wasn't ready, and my skills as an author weren't ready. I'm more confident in my skills and my stories now, and I'm more confident in my ability to present those stories to readers and agents. I'm getting better results when I'm submitting stories that the agents are actively looking for, rather than blasting every agent who reps my genre with the query.
Funny, I can't find many agents possibly interested in my Ms, which is a crime novel but set in a small industrial port in Iran. And I get a this is not for me response from the ones I thought they would be interested because of claiming they are interested in exotic settings or distinctive voices. I can't seem to get it right but I believe in my manuscript.
They probably want an Iranian author to write about Iran. Absolutely absurd "own voices" criteria. I really wish there were lit agencies interested more in unusual stories than box ticking. Good luck on your journey!
Are you capturing the flavour and exoticism of Iran, or just saying "We're in Persia; isn't that exotic enough for you?" That's the only suggestion I have.
These tips were solid as a rock, Alyssa. I have a separate email address for my queries and check it in the late afternoons before my walk. It's a small thing but I think it goes a long way as far as mental health. My 2024 querying results for a first novel were 110 agents queried from April-August. I received 38 form rejections and 3 personalized rejections. Next time, I"m going to lean into querying assistants building their list. I think there's a big difference between an agent who wants to add clients and an agent who needs to add clients.
I am currently getting rejections on my manuscript. Creating a separete email account would be a fun way to separete my writing from the rest of my life.
Hi alyssa. I've been following you for a few years and your advice has been invaluable. Thanks to you I have a complete manuscript and a strong pitch. I also followed your advice about reading in my genre and just pitched one agent who represents two books I've read. I suggest people read carefully the back cover of a book you enjoyed recently in your genre. I did that, copied the beats and it worked really well.
@AlyssaMatesic: I have a specific question regarding requested manuscript extract submissions. My novel has two storylines (framing and framed, alternating in parts throughout the book). There is a short (1000 word) prologue, which sets up the inciting incident for the framing story. The prologue is 4 pages. The framing story is the next 30 pages. Then the framed story is the next 120 pages. Reading at least the first few pages of each of the three segments is critical for an understanding and "feel" of the book. If an agent wants the first 10 or 20 or 50 pages, should I send samples of each totaling to the requested number of pages? Or lengthen the query and preemptively explain the above structure? Thank you for your time.
@AlyssaMatesic: Where I am in the querying process: haven't finished the novel yet, so haven't started querying. I'm saving this video in my "critical to re-watch" folder.
I've sent out 21 queries so far and am still waiting for 11 people to respond. One agent, Michael M., evaluated my query letter and gave it a glowing review. So what's wrong? A response like "It's not a good fit for me" or "We already have similar manuscripts on file" does not tell me what should be changed. Is it just bad timing? The plot? The characters? I believe in my novel (an 80,000 word YA Paranormal Romance.) Why doesn't anyone else?
I know I've improved a lot in the last few years since I try to get an agent. Sadly I still keep getting rejections. Mostly form ones. Some sound a bit personal when they say they see potential in my story but are similar to others they are representing. This is sadly with my older works, which have been through a huge rewrite and a current work I hope to get a bite. As you suggested, I also query only in small patches to keep better track just in case I should get a personal response what could be improved. If an agent does give more infos about themselves, I try to make some changes to my letter that sounds more personal to prove I've looked at their bio.
Have any tips for rejections that deal diversity and phrases like "We're dedicated to elevating diverse voices at this time"? I have no problem with rejections, it's motivation to improve, but there are trends to my rejects regarding characteristics about myself that I can't change.
DO NOT CHANGE FOR THEM IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM. Sorry for the all-caps, but artists need to stand up and protest. There must be lit agents who don't care about your ethnicity or if you're a Christian. I do wish some lit agents would branch off and dare to buck the "system" instead of only accepting Ekswyzee Boxticker as their client.
@@5Gburn Sweetie, the system was built for you that's why lots of agents want to "elevate" diverse voices. If you can't comprehend this basic idea, your story might not be good. Especially if you're writing Fantasy or sci-fi. Something that's deeply political. And plus, a lot of readers are leftist. We want to see the world through the eyes of different people. Not just the ones that are like you. So no. You aren't a victim. Not even a little bit. It's sad though that attempts to be equal sounds like an oppression to you.
I have a half rejection, where they see something is "there" - but it needs to be cleaned up, costing them a lot of money time feasible ? It was the New Yorker, and I forgot about it entirely. they wanted to see as a test if I can put the rubber to the road. Alyssa explains all of this with a very regular tempo ...
Enjoying your videos as I'm writing my first novel - aiming to finish April - June - very much appreciate querying tips -> Q: Alyssa have you thought about being a lit agent?
Hi, Alyssa, thank you so much for another useful video. I've been watching your videos for a while, and I was wondering how to write a query letter for a series. I tried looking it up online and found out you shouldn't query a series but a standalone with the potential for a series. But what if my novel isn't as tied up at the end? There is a sense of closure, but at the same time, there are also unanswered questions, so it's clear it's not a standalone. I would really appreciate your help!
Is there a good tool for writers to find an agent who might be a good match for the manuscript? Sure, agents list general categories like genre views #MSWL, but sorting through that and finding a really suitable match seems hard.
To master receiving critical feedback and rejection, I'd recommend doing something creative and performative like music, drama, or public speaking and going through auditions or tryouts. On my previous project, I spent several months querying, but I never found it frustrating, albeit I did not secure representation. My material was not right for the market at the time and it could stand with some major revisions. The silence or the feedback that I did receive was very professional and helpful, and given my 25+ years of professional music and art experience, none of it hit personally. I've tanked enough auditions to know when I could have done better or simply was not the right guy for the job.
Yeah it sucks. The wait is painful especially during the holidays atm 😅 funny enough I've done about 16 queries so far and am slowing making changes where necessary to things I missed the first time around. The whole thing is a big learning process in itself.
I've sent out about a half-dozen queries so far and gotten one rejection, but it was good rejection and slightly helpful. Some helpful tips and tricks in this video, thanks for sharing! :)
I got I think almost 300ish rejections 😂. Everyone I got to read my book before submitting was, “OMG, when are you writing the next one??” Maybe I didn’t ’sell it’ good enough. Actually glad it’s been rejected-I’ve reflected over the past year and realize I can re-write it into something way more elevated than I thought I could do. But i also feel being pulled in 2 directions where I have another book i want to write, but have ‘unfinished business’ with this one.
This was really useful, especially the stuff about layering your queries over time/by desirability.
I've sent out seven or eight queries over the past six months. I'm not eyeball deep in the query trenches - I'm sending queries when agents post about looking for a book like mine. I haven't seriously queried since 2019 when I met my small press/author co-op. However, I've gotten two full requests so far (knock on wood), which is far better stats than my first query process back in 2016. For my very first book, I think I sent out somewhere in the ballpark of 200 queries without any responses other than form rejections. I see know that the MS wasn't ready, and my skills as an author weren't ready. I'm more confident in my skills and my stories now, and I'm more confident in my ability to present those stories to readers and agents.
I'm getting better results when I'm submitting stories that the agents are actively looking for, rather than blasting every agent who reps my genre with the query.
I'm in the Query stage but my book is very "ladish" and most agents are female so I'm not holding my breath on this, but great tips.
Funny, I can't find many agents possibly interested in my Ms, which is a crime novel but set in a small industrial port in Iran. And I get a this is not for me response from the ones I thought they would be interested because of claiming they are interested in exotic settings or distinctive voices. I can't seem to get it right but I believe in my manuscript.
They probably want an Iranian author to write about Iran. Absolutely absurd "own voices" criteria. I really wish there were lit agencies interested more in unusual stories than box ticking. Good luck on your journey!
@@5GburnI am an Iranian Canadian. It's a mystery. Lol.
Are you capturing the flavour and exoticism of Iran, or just saying "We're in Persia; isn't that exotic enough for you?" That's the only suggestion I have.
@WRLO56 LOL. I hope my setting offers more than we are Persian. 😂
Great advice. I've been going this a long time and there are a few suggestions I've never heard.
These tips were solid as a rock, Alyssa. I have a separate email address for my queries and check it in the late afternoons before my walk. It's a small thing but I think it goes a long way as far as mental health.
My 2024 querying results for a first novel were 110 agents queried from April-August. I received 38 form rejections and 3 personalized rejections.
Next time, I"m going to lean into querying assistants building their list. I think there's a big difference between an agent who wants to add clients and an agent who needs to add clients.
I am currently getting rejections on my manuscript. Creating a separete email account would be a fun way to separete my writing from the rest of my life.
Hi alyssa. I've been following you for a few years and your advice has been invaluable. Thanks to you I have a complete manuscript and a strong pitch. I also followed your advice about reading in my genre and just pitched one agent who represents two books I've read. I suggest people read carefully the back cover of a book you enjoyed recently in your genre. I did that, copied the beats and it worked really well.
@AlyssaMatesic: I have a specific question regarding requested manuscript extract submissions.
My novel has two storylines (framing and framed, alternating in parts throughout the book). There is a short (1000 word) prologue, which sets up the inciting incident for the framing story.
The prologue is 4 pages. The framing story is the next 30 pages. Then the framed story is the next 120 pages. Reading at least the first few pages of each of the three segments is critical for an understanding and "feel" of the book.
If an agent wants the first 10 or 20 or 50 pages, should I send samples of each totaling to the requested number of pages? Or lengthen the query and preemptively explain the above structure?
Thank you for your time.
Thank you so much, Alyssa! Lots of great tips here that I'm going to implement this year!
Good to know for when I ever dare to send anything out.
@AlyssaMatesic: Where I am in the querying process: haven't finished the novel yet, so haven't started querying.
I'm saving this video in my "critical to re-watch" folder.
I've sent out 21 queries so far and am still waiting for 11 people to respond. One agent, Michael M., evaluated my query letter and gave it a glowing review. So what's wrong? A response like "It's not a good fit for me" or "We already have similar manuscripts on file" does not tell me what should be changed. Is it just bad timing? The plot? The characters? I believe in my novel (an 80,000 word YA Paranormal Romance.) Why doesn't anyone else?
I know I've improved a lot in the last few years since I try to get an agent. Sadly I still keep getting rejections. Mostly form ones. Some sound a bit personal when they say they see potential in my story but are similar to others they are representing.
This is sadly with my older works, which have been through a huge rewrite and a current work I hope to get a bite.
As you suggested, I also query only in small patches to keep better track just in case I should get a personal response what could be improved. If an agent does give more infos about themselves, I try to make some changes to my letter that sounds more personal to prove I've looked at their bio.
Excellent tips!
This was amazing advice, thank you so much!
Since 2017 or so, I have queried several manuscripts to dozens of agents, and just a fortnight ago I sent five queries of my latest manuscript.
Does anyone know where I can find a comprehensive list of literary agents in the U.K. who deal with YA fantasy? My search is taking a lot of time.
Try Jericho Writers agent match. You can search fantasy in the UK but not ya fantasy.
@drippingblueink1335 That's great, thank you. Will check it out :)
Have any tips for rejections that deal diversity and phrases like "We're dedicated to elevating diverse voices at this time"? I have no problem with rejections, it's motivation to improve, but there are trends to my rejects regarding characteristics about myself that I can't change.
DO NOT CHANGE FOR THEM IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM. Sorry for the all-caps, but artists need to stand up and protest. There must be lit agents who don't care about your ethnicity or if you're a Christian. I do wish some lit agents would branch off and dare to buck the "system" instead of only accepting Ekswyzee Boxticker as their client.
@@5Gburn Sweetie, the system was built for you that's why lots of agents want to "elevate" diverse voices. If you can't comprehend this basic idea, your story might not be good. Especially if you're writing Fantasy or sci-fi. Something that's deeply political. And plus, a lot of readers are leftist. We want to see the world through the eyes of different people. Not just the ones that are like you.
So no. You aren't a victim. Not even a little bit. It's sad though that attempts to be equal sounds like an oppression to you.
High key terrified to even start. I just keep going back to it and going "it's not polished enough"
I have a half rejection, where they see something is "there" - but it needs to be cleaned up, costing them a lot of money time feasible ? It was the New Yorker, and I forgot about it entirely. they wanted to see as a test if I can put the rubber to the road. Alyssa explains all of this with a very regular tempo ...
Enjoying your videos as I'm writing my first novel - aiming to finish April - June - very much appreciate querying tips -> Q: Alyssa have you thought about being a lit agent?
Hi, Alyssa, thank you so much for another useful video. I've been watching your videos for a while, and I was wondering how to write a query letter for a series. I tried looking it up online and found out you shouldn't query a series but a standalone with the potential for a series. But what if my novel isn't as tied up at the end? There is a sense of closure, but at the same time, there are also unanswered questions, so it's clear it's not a standalone.
I would really appreciate your help!
+1 on the separate email- great idea!
Super helpful video!! I’m
Hoping to query in Q2 of 2025 🤞🏽 , so I’ll definitely be returning to this!
Is there a good tool for writers to find an agent who might be a good match for the manuscript? Sure, agents list general categories like genre views #MSWL, but sorting through that and finding a really suitable match seems hard.
Great Video.
The audio crackling at 10:44 scared the crap outta me. Came in loud on my left speaker and thought something was there making that sound. 👀
😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
To master receiving critical feedback and rejection, I'd recommend doing something creative and performative like music, drama, or public speaking and going through auditions or tryouts. On my previous project, I spent several months querying, but I never found it frustrating, albeit I did not secure representation. My material was not right for the market at the time and it could stand with some major revisions. The silence or the feedback that I did receive was very professional and helpful, and given my 25+ years of professional music and art experience, none of it hit personally. I've tanked enough auditions to know when I could have done better or simply was not the right guy for the job.
First?