Query Thoughts

There's something weird about writing letter after letter to perfect strangers you've been stalking on Twitter. Other than everything that sounds like it'd be weird with that. When you're querying agents, you have to cater each letter to the specific agent you're messaging. It's like having to alter your CV or resume for every job you apply for.

It's not like I have a problem with this. I know I need to court every agent individually, show them that I've researched what they represent and that my book is just the thing for them. But there is certainly that desire to just copy and paste and get them all out at once, but that won't do me any favors.

I think the next part that's going to be tough is the first slew of rejections. And I know the rejections are coming. I heard that JK Rowling spent years waiting for someone to read Harry Potter, so if I think The Paladin is getting represented right out the gate with me as a debut author, I'm really dreaming. Still, I have to move forward with confidence. I mean, if I don't believe in the novel, I can't expect agents to.

So what's next on my plate? Well, I have about five more letters to send out for this first round, then I guess I'll hope to hear back. If I'm lucky, the agents will give me some feedback along with their rejections and I can alter my manuscript. Beyond that, though, I guess I'll need to start focusing more clearly on my next writing project. I think I know which one I want to do, but still... I'm not sure where I'm going while I wait. This might be the toughest part of the whole process.

​DFTBA