anyone else writing fiction or querying?

[mintgreenandshiny]

I finished my novel (gah!) at the end of last year, just finishing a re-draft/ edit and about to start querying. Almost don't want to as without any rejections I feel like I can legitimately hold on to my dream of being a writer... not that that makes any logical sense! Anyone else in a similar position?!

Hi mintgreen! I’m in querying limbo - sent out a bunch of submissions in November and still waiting for something to materialise 🤷‍♀️ I’ve had two requests for the full, one of which was since rejected, a couple of form rejections, and otherwise complete silence. Trying to be zen about it, and get on with writing something new.

Two requests for full - even if one has been rejected - is really encouraging though - that's great! I think I'll find the silence the most frustrating thing too... concentrating on your next project sounds v sensible way to distract. Is it working or do you still think about it every time you refresh your email?! How many agents did you send out to in your first submission (if you don't mind me asking)?

Going to send out one submission this eve I think as otherwise I will never be able to make myself write the synopsis!

I sent two batches of eight, a few days apart. I know from previous experience (I queried another book three years ago) that replies can come in anytime from a few hours to six months later... or not at all.
I think I’ll nudge the agent who still has the full if I haven’t heard anything by the start of Feb - that’ll be three months since she requested it. Except I’m presuming it’ll be a rejection, and at least while I don’t know for sure I can continue to dream...

I'd say that submissions and rejections (before you receive your great offer from a big four publisher) shouldn't end your dream of being a writer given the numbers of rejections almost every published and great writer say they received.

Good luck.

I'd be wary of initially sending submissions to many agencies at the same time. I've seen several writers receive helpful feedback that they wanted to take on board and redraft and were concerned about re-submitting to the same firm. In practice, sending under a different title and pseudonym to a different agent in the firm might reduce the issue but I think there's a balance between sending lots of submissions to seek any response and then not being in a position to take on board any feedback.

Good luck.

Thanks both - that's helpful advice.

Sent out three yesterday. Trying to chill out and expect no response... I think I would prefer an outright rejection to radio silence though!

Unfortunately sitting around with radio silence is part of publishing nothing moves very fast! I sent out 9 queries in October and got 5 requests for the full. One of those then rejected it and two who hadn't asked for the full. One of them then came back to me at the beginning of this month offering to represent me, I had met her previously at a conference. I haven't heard anything else from the others (well I have now but only because I withdrew my submission). The only thing to do is start writing something else!

that is brilliant news re the offer of representation - congrats! thanks for sharing your story re timings. There seem to be so many stories of either immediate responses leading to representation or the other extreme of no responses at all so it's nice to hear a positive story with a longer timeline. Though I guess Oct - Jan probably isn't that long at all in the publishing world!

My plan is to send to 20 agents I think, in staggered batches. Might rework a bit with MS in the meantime depending on feedback. Then close the file on that piece of work and start writing the next one. It's so time consuming doing submissions (I squeeze it into my evenings after a long day at work, when I can) that I don't think I have the headspace to write the second book till I can really put the first to one side.

I had an offer of rep almost six months after submitting, with no contact at all until past the five month mark. Some agents are just so swamped by submissions that it takes a while to wade through the backlog.

Some people get positive replies straight away - my very first full request came within 2 hours - but silence for a few weeks of even months is not always a bad sign!

Good luck

thanks Cake - and great news on getting an agent. Six months after submission!!

I'm not even a week in, no replies and already feeling itchy. Might crack and do one more submission this weekend.

Honestly. I promised myself I'd be super relaxed about it, knowing how slim the chances are of success. Ha!