Support thread for those waiting to hear back from agents.

[Showmethefood]

Hi everyone ☺️

I'm currently querying literary agents for my children’s picture book and the wall of silence/waiting game is driving me up the wall 🙈. Sent queries to around 30 agents and have received 4 rejections so far. Started querying three weeks ago. Would anyone like to join by keeping each other company/keeping each other motivated during this difficult time?

The more the merrier ☺️

@SmugglersHaunt @MargaretThursday @WriterRighter @DefiantlyDaringDunnock how are things going with you guys?

One more rejection here. Still keeping my fingers crossed though. Good luck to you all.

No change here. I'm wondering whether to see if someone can help with the synopsis and query letter before I do more.

I know how you both feel. It’s coming up to 6 weeks since I first started querying and besides the rejections I’ve mentioned on here, I’ve still not heard anything. Every email that comes in fills me with hope, but it’s only ever junk, or nothing exciting anyway!

More rejections from publishers here. Keep the faith everyone.

Hey @Showmethefood , I am sorry to hear you have had a few rejections but it's par for the course unfortunately, and picture books seems really hard to break into right now. Well done getting your story out there though. I am impressed by 30 submissions, I have been querying a couple of years and I haven't hit anywhere near that! All rejections. 😔 I didn't even think there were 30 agents open to picture books. Are you a member of SCBWI or any other writing organisations like WriteMentor? Great for support, which is always needed when on submission. Good luck!

@WriterRighter I'm sorry to hear that. Do you have any more to hear back from? Rejections are very difficult. Yes, there are positives in them, but they still crush us. @ponygirlcurtis (great name by the way! :)) I have submitted to both UK and USA agents this time, so that's why there are so many. :) I'm not a member of those groups, but I agree it would be beneficial for me.

I have started work on my MG novel this week. I've heard starting a new project whilst waiting can be helpful. I've set myself some writing goals to hit and I'm already looking at agents to send it to once it's finished. I want to be properly prepared this time - though I'm dreading writing the synopsis for it.

@DefiantlyDaringDunnock @MargaretThursday @ponygirlcurtis @SmugglersHaunt How is everyone doing this fine Wednesday?
I have just sent off my three, children’s picture book manuscripts to an agent. I was working on them for about four hours 🙈😂. What’s happening in your guys world?

Good for you, fingers crossed for you. UK or US agents? I have one outstanding query and I want to work on my PBs some more before I do more submissions, that's a job for over Christmas - head is too full Christmas admin right now!

I know what you mean. This one was to a UK agent who said ideally they would like to see up to three texts. I feel nervous/excited all over again and am back to constantly refreshing my emails 🙈😂

I’m not counting my chickens until they’re hatched but I wanted to pass on the good news that I have two publishers interested in my work. It may come to nothing and you have to get used to lots of rejections in this world but it’s also really exciting.

@WriterRighter Two interested publishers sound amazing 🤩 ❤️❤️🤣!!! It’s a massive achievement in itself. I bet you have a whole mix of emotions. Wishing you the very best of luck 🤞

Update: It’s been almost 4 weeks since I last heard anything 😢. Not even a rejection. It’s been 7 weeks since I first started querying. I’m finding the silence hard.

Sorry you are finding it hard, @Showmethefood. The best advice I have seen on querying is to send it out, forget about it/assume it's a no and focus on new writing. Because it's a long process to get on the ladder. And find community - an online writing group, a critique group, fellow writers on Twitter, etc. It helps to chat to others who know what the waiting is like.

I've got two queries outstanding, one from September and one from October. The September one does imply they always reply by saying poke after 4 months but the October one says they only reply if interested, so I'll guess that's a definite no.

I'm going to think of Christmas and maybe try in the new year with a new synopsis and query letter.

@Showmethefood I’m so sorry you’re finding it so difficult. I think it is a brutal process and the waiting and ghosting is horrible. At the end of the day it only takes one so try and keep the faith. My synopsis and letter etc definitely got better over time and I paid for a one to one with an agent for help with it. When I read my first queries now I’m not surprised they were ignored. Good luck all of you

@MargaretThursday I think over Christmas not a lot happens so your plan for the new year sounds sensible. I would send a gentle follow up to the one that tells you to and just ignore the other. Their loss!

I’ve had a few days off writing and do feel better for it 😊. I haven’t been constantly checking my emails either which has been nice. It’s a month tomorrow since my last rejection 🙈. Four weeks of complete silence. I’ve queried around 33 agents and have only heard back from 8. I’ve never gone such a long time without hearing anything before. It’s certainly a lesson in patience (which I need in buckets!!)

Oh my goodness - I thought I’d hear nothing until after Christmas but I’ve just had an offer! I post this to try to offer some hope and encouragement not to brag. I really was starting to think it would never happen and then, bang! Sending so much luck and love to all of you. Hang in there.

Congratulations!

Amazing @WriterRighter !!! Not a brag at all but well deserved after all that waiting. ❤️❤️❤️ Please keep us updated. We’re rooting for you 😁😁

Hi @Showmethefood - good luck with

Congratulations @WriterRighter ! That’s amazing news and what a lovely time of year to get it! What audience / genre is it?

Brilliant news, @WriterRighter ! Congratulations. 🥳

It’s non-fiction and they want more words than I’ve written but it’s still such a wonderful shock! Thank you all.