tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post6334230294027542978..comments2024-03-11T16:14:49.158-07:00Comments on Don't pet me, I'm writing: Ask & I’ll give it up: my agent query statsTAWNA FENSKEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468819219529035563noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-4998079478903535202011-07-25T10:56:59.145-07:002011-07-25T10:56:59.145-07:00This is absolutely fascinating! Thank you so much ...This is absolutely fascinating! Thank you so much for sharing your query stats and interesting tid-bits! I feel like such a newbie, but clearly I have a long journey to look forward to. I've only sent out a few querys. Thanks again, you're blog has been thoroughly enjoyed this morning!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-28259311607440718762010-08-26T07:30:09.827-07:002010-08-26T07:30:09.827-07:00This is great information. Thanks for sharing. I...This is great information. Thanks for sharing. I do have a question though. <br /><br />How did you pick your 4 groups of agents? What was it about the "dream agent" that put them in that category?<br /><br />Thanks!<br />MandyMandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00124891148219355533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-1237658961281173972010-08-24T00:31:42.136-07:002010-08-24T00:31:42.136-07:00Thank you so much for sharing this with us, Tawna!...Thank you so much for sharing this with us, Tawna! So interesting getting a glimpse into the agenting process of a published writer.Meghan Wardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12773598501857799104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-3696530286007075662010-08-23T17:01:28.511-07:002010-08-23T17:01:28.511-07:00Lots of interesting posts, but this one is particu...Lots of interesting posts, but this one is particularly enlightening, specific and encouraging.<br />Do you have a pep team to keep your spirits up when they are in danger of flagging, or do you manage that unaided?<br />www.blackwatertown.wordpress.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-2531153090636273262010-08-18T11:57:53.749-07:002010-08-18T11:57:53.749-07:00Really interesting numbers - thanks so much for sh...Really interesting numbers - thanks so much for sharing them. It's fascinating to see how different writers journey through the process - gives us all hope :) Thanks again!Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-53288339191195467322010-08-18T08:27:08.826-07:002010-08-18T08:27:08.826-07:00Negative on going to Mexico... never did go. Spent...Negative on going to Mexico... never did go. Spent my check on fun things like bills (BLARGH!) and savings (BLURG!) though I did buy a nice little netbook with part of the money...Jessica Lemmonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16388504462239939840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-58983953250483365952010-08-18T07:28:20.839-07:002010-08-18T07:28:20.839-07:00Jeannie, great suggestion! I haven't used quer...Jeannie, great suggestion! I haven't used querytracker myself, but I've heard good things about it.<br /><br />Deborah, what a small world! Glad it all worked out and you found your fabulous agent.<br /><br />writelies, at 30 agent queries, you're barely getting started :)<br /><br />Stephanie, my cats lick my hands, but the dog stays focused on my toes. I need to get someone to work on my elbows though, they're feeling a little rough.<br /><br />Purple Cow, you're in Greece? I didn't know that (or if I did, I've forgotten). We spent several weeks there last summer and loved it. Where are you? You're right about that ad - sounds like a scam to me.<br /><br />Claire Dawn, it's different for everyone, and there's no magic number. Some authors take only a couple queries (and you may very well be on of them) while others hunt for years to find the right agent. Hang in there!<br /><br />Rob, nope, I steered clear of querying more than one agent at the same agency. That's generally frowned upon. Are you writing in a really small genre? There are over 1000 agents listed at agentquery.com, so I'm betting you can find a pretty good list there. Good luck!<br /><br />Thanks for reading, guys!<br />TawnaTAWNA FENSKEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11468819219529035563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-1457495435582696372010-08-17T21:34:23.936-07:002010-08-17T21:34:23.936-07:00Four of 71 doesn't sound so bad for an offer/q...Four of 71 doesn't sound so bad for an offer/query ratio. I've done lots of things with worse odds. <br /><br />But then, you're awesome and it took you 71 tries. And I have to compete with people who are on that same awesome scale. And there's no way I'll only need 71 tries. <br /><br />AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!Claire Dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14354840714847021685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-32075852366206409712010-08-17T21:23:03.837-07:002010-08-17T21:23:03.837-07:00You are amazing! all this running around and time ...You are amazing! all this running around and time to blog also. i'm not a book writer but I love your blog and personality. Interesting figures. I wonder if its the same for smaller markets such as the one I live in - Greece. <br /><br />PS I did see an ad in the local paper once asking for people to e-mail someone manuscripts without giving further details. i thought it was weird. who would send their worked-on novel to some anonymous e-mail?Purple Cowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11016727639028322093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-27276070637504040042010-08-17T17:29:28.651-07:002010-08-17T17:29:28.651-07:00Another huge thank you for this post. I'm at t...Another huge thank you for this post. I'm at the point in my writing where I'm starting to get to that point of querying, and every time I think about it, I want to vomit myself inside out. Reading posts like yours helps immensely!<br /><br />My cats lick my feet. Is that weird?Stephaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14263897351215100419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-13164652049579937022010-08-17T17:23:50.445-07:002010-08-17T17:23:50.445-07:00Oh, wow. Thanks for sharing...I've been discou...Oh, wow. Thanks for sharing...I've been discouraged about querying after sending out around 30 and receiving maybe 10 rejections...this gives me hope!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-5720433613155027082010-08-17T15:24:40.974-07:002010-08-17T15:24:40.974-07:00Great post! So glad people are liking it.
My story...Great post! So glad people are liking it.<br />My story was kind of like this, but it took 2 years and over 60 rejections before I got my agent.<br /><br />Who in fact worked at the same agency as one of the agents who'd read ALL 3 BOOKS I wrote in that 2 years (bless her heart), finally loved the last one, but had just signed someone who was writing something too close. Argh. So I asked Agent A: what do you think about sending it to Agent B? She was happy to do so, Agent B REALLY loved it, and huzzah!<br /><br />So it never hurts to ask.Deborah Blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04032614187237072683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-36706750240822461082010-08-17T15:07:11.529-07:002010-08-17T15:07:11.529-07:00Tawna, People may be interested in a site called q...Tawna, People may be interested in a site called querytracker.net. It's a good website that helps writers keep track of queries and provides good information on agents. There are also comments about agents from other writers, articles about the query process and lots of statistics.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02849370947985905108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-69541422063284513942010-08-17T14:25:42.380-07:002010-08-17T14:25:42.380-07:00Jeannie, I just realized I missed your question ea...Jeannie, I just realized I missed your question earlier about re-querying. Sorry about that. No, I never re-queried an agent who had already rejected me, though I know some people do it. I've heard some agents don't mind terribly if you say, "I've made substantial revisions to the story, have added 10k words, and the book now takes place on Mars instead of on a farm in Ohio, would you mind taking another look?" But just changing the query doesn't seem like enough. (Any agents reading can feel free to correct me if I'm wrong). As for querying agents at the same agency, that's a tough one. I've heard it's a definite no-no at some agencies for the simple reason that if Agent A thought a story had merit but wasn't right for her, she'd certainly pass it along to Agent B if she thought it might be right for her. On the other hand, I know there are some larger agencies where the agents don't work so closely with each other. For example, I queried an agent at a larger firm and never heard a peep from her. I ended up querying an agent who had no connection at all to that firm, and she was one of the ones who said "this isn't my thing, but you should try my friend so-and-so." It just so happened that so-and-so was an agent at the aforementioned firm that employed the agent who'd never replied. I went ahead and tried so-and-so, who wound up being one of the four agents to make an offer. Clear as mud? Bottom line, just use your best judgment :)<br /><br />Beth, every author will have different strategies, and there's no "right" or "wrong" about it, but since you asked my opinion, I'll give it. If I were going to query agents again, I'd divide them into groups: 1) the dream agents, 2) the ones you'd still be delighted to work with, and 3) the ones you're a bit ambivalent about. Then add a fourth group, which would be one or two you really aren't interested in at all. Query that fourth group first just to test the waters. If you get a lot of "send it now!" responses, you might have something hot on your hands and should probably go right ahead and query group 2 and maybe even 1. If responses are lukewarm or negative, start working through your list from 3 to 2 to 1. By the time you hit group 1, you've refined your process and won't risk making an ass of yourself in front of the very agents you adore most. I should also add that you should NEVER query before you're ready. Polish and research and do the very best you can, but understand that you're still going to miss a few things on that first round of querying. Make sense? As for keeping track, I had a table in Word with fields where I entered the agent name, the date of initial contact, how I made contact (email/snail mail), what I sent (query, # of pages, synop), and what response I received. I'm sure there are other ways to do it, but that was my method. Hope that helps!<br /><br />Jen, it's always hard to say if no news means "no" or if it means "stuck in the spam folder." To this day I wonder if some of those unanswered queries just never reached their intended recipients.<br /><br />Harley May, see my long, convoluted response to Beth above, but the short answer is "yes." When I suggest this, people always say "but what if other agents offer to represent me and I haven't even queried my dream agent yet?" Then you hurry the hell up, query your dream agent, and follow up right away saying "I have other offers, I'll give you a week to read if you're interested." (More politely, of course). <br /><br />Other authors or agents out there - feel free to chime in if you disagree with me on any of these points. I'm just suggesting what worked for me or what I'd do based on my experiences, but clearly there are other ways to skin a kiwi.<br /><br />Thanks for reading, guys!<br />TawnaTAWNA FENSKEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11468819219529035563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-85136272403228138032010-08-17T14:02:35.117-07:002010-08-17T14:02:35.117-07:00Wow. So you would recommend saving your "drea...Wow. So you would recommend saving your "dream" agents for a few rounds out vs. first thing?<br /><br />Makes me queasy. You smell nice.Harley Mayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04241863993211420573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-30710259565089426772010-08-17T14:01:30.957-07:002010-08-17T14:01:30.957-07:00Tawna,
Thanks so much for sharing the details of y...Tawna,<br />Thanks so much for sharing the details of your query journey with us. I think querying is a time of such uncertainty for so many of us, so it helps to see that those that are established fought the same battle in a very similar fashion. And were ultimately successful. So thank you for your openness.<br /><br />From my own perspective with just under 50 letters sent out and this week's batch of 6 sitting in my draft folder to be sent out later this evening, it was really helpful to see the numbers. I've been lucky enough to have several partial and several full MS requests, but there is a LOT of dead air currently. For instance, I've only had 13 actual rejections and have heard nothing back from over 30 letters. I'm sure a number of them are silent rejections, but I've got responses from letters over 4 weeks old, so it's the summer and I'm chalking some of it up to 'I just haven't heard one way or the other yet'. At least that what I keep telling myself...Jen J. Dannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00817943866838270699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-59546197648794018542010-08-17T13:46:59.883-07:002010-08-17T13:46:59.883-07:00Great, timely post! I'm just starting the quer...Great, timely post! I'm just starting the query/business of writing. I had requests for two partials and received one very nice email rejection and another long, handwritten note. That agent said, "After careful consideration, she decided to decline..." That was a hard one.<br /><br />So far, I've sat on those rejections for three weeks but you've inspired me to send out more queries for every rejection. <br /><br />Question #1: Do you mix it up and query first and second tier agents or just start lower, i.e., with newer, less experienced agents in the beginning?<br /><br />Question #2: How do you keep track of all this? I'm having trouble getting organized and have piles everywhere. Did you go the spreadsheet route or drop responses into files? <br /><br />I have two very different genres that I'm querying (so different agents). I've written a novel (women's fiction) and two children's picture books, so I have to keep them separate. And I hate piles.Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16685726789687443442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-57685432695929299592010-08-17T13:10:22.042-07:002010-08-17T13:10:22.042-07:00Amie B, I'm supposed to speak to a writer'...Amie B, I'm supposed to speak to a writer's group on the topic of "perseverance" in October. Suffice it to say, I have a lot of experience with it :)<br /><br />Abby, indeed, everyone has YOU to thank for this post, since you were the first to request it (I had a bunch of others chime in after that, but you were definitely first!) Gotta admit, I'm a little stunned how popular it's been so far. It's been up for less than six hours right now, and has had almost 600 unique viewers. Crazy!<br /><br />Linda G, I also have boobs. Does that count for something?<br /><br />P.A.Brown, from what I've heard, your story isn't all that uncommon. Perseverance is definitely the greatest skill an author can hone.<br /><br />Elizabeth, glad the specifics help! I never really thought about it, but I guess I don't remember reading anything like this when I was in the query stage. I wonder if I would have fallen into the trap of comparing myself instead of recognizing that every author's journey is different? Dunno. Guess I'll never find out, eh?<br /><br />Stephanie, yeah, that surprised me as well. In both cases, I learned things about those agents after the fact that made me thank my lucky stars they didn't follow through. Things happen for a reason, I suppose.<br /><br />Jill, I still have all my rejection letters in a folder, plus I never delete emails, so those are all somewhere in my in-box. Kinda fun to go back and read every now and then!<br /><br />Matthew, sure thing! I figured I might as well make up for the fact that I neglected to show my underwear yesterday.<br /><br />Karen Amanda, you know you want my dog to lick your feet. She's doing it to mine right now, as a matter of fact.<br /><br />Elizabeth, glad it helps! Querying can be a slow, lonely, and soul-sucking experience. It's nice to know we've all been there.<br /><br />Thanks for reading, guys!<br />TawnaTAWNA FENSKEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11468819219529035563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-16854309860497126152010-08-17T12:38:26.280-07:002010-08-17T12:38:26.280-07:00I always enjoy reading about the journeys of other...I always enjoy reading about the journeys of other writers. This is not only interesting, but very helpful and timely! Thanks for sharing!Elizabeth Flora Rosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11729450308659877966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-89094614645594727022010-08-17T12:05:59.278-07:002010-08-17T12:05:59.278-07:00What a journey. Thanks for sharing. The dock licki...What a journey. Thanks for sharing. The dock licking feet thing kinda grossed me out though. lol.kahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10789825860272178765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-87897868673071188012010-08-17T11:46:53.167-07:002010-08-17T11:46:53.167-07:00How interesting! What a nice glimpse inside the wo...How interesting! What a nice glimpse inside the workings of your personal experience. Thanks for sharing this info with us Tawna.Matthew MacNishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03264738483763244969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-25802337784797264882010-08-17T11:42:01.326-07:002010-08-17T11:42:01.326-07:00Wow, those stats are very informative. I don'...Wow, those stats are very informative. I don't feel so bad. However, two questions: 1) Did you ever re-send a query to an agent who already said no after you tweaked the letter? 2)If you were rejected by one agent, did you consider yourself rejected by the agency, or did you query other agents in that agency.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02849370947985905108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-22483195371325475612010-08-17T11:38:32.696-07:002010-08-17T11:38:32.696-07:00I love reading stats like this because it shows th...I love reading stats like this because it shows that we'll all in the same boat at one point in oue writing careers and it's inspiring because you kept at it until you succeeded.<br /><br />I've kept careful track of queries going in and out - like several commenters here, I sent out two or three at a time, got the responses (rejections), tweaked the query and sent it out to two or three more agents. <br /><br />Haven't queries for a few years because I'm making sure the plots aren't the problem (hard to follow the "query formula" of X must do Y before all Z breaks loose and A is trying to prevent Z from doing it" when I don't have a concrete individual for "A"!). Soon, though, I'll be rereading all these excellent posts and getting back to it.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing this part of your journey! And everything else in your blog!jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12201064746352004309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-46991142928003728582010-08-17T11:36:47.851-07:002010-08-17T11:36:47.851-07:00Thanks for sharing!! I always love reading author&...Thanks for sharing!! I always love reading author's agent stories!<br /><br />I am most shocked about the number of agents who requested fulls and then did not respond! That, to me, is just bad business!! And rude!Stephaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17401931638397651614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-86156084085789765912010-08-17T11:25:03.755-07:002010-08-17T11:25:03.755-07:00Thanks so much for this! I think one of the reaso...Thanks so much for this! I think one of the reasons everyone is interested is because, well, curiosity, but also because there are so many pieces of the process that are shrouded in secrecy, that it's just really nice to see a post that's not just vague advice. You know how specifics really help your writing? They really help a person learn about the process too. And by a person, I of course mean me. So thanks again!Elizabeth Ryannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12706539983177924875noreply@blogger.com