a closing thought on querying

Two days ago was: A Query Letter That Works

Yesterday was: Why You Need A Query Letter That Works

Today:

A Closing Thought On Querying

This, of course, is all my opinion. Got it? Good.

In my opinion...


This is the single most important thing to remember while querying. You ready? Here it is:

Every opinion is subjective.

Seriously.

When you query agents, you'll receive form-letter rejections that tell you this. When you read this in a form-letter rejection, it's tough to take it seriously. But...really. It's no lie. It's no joke.

Every opinion is subjective.

You have to remember, an agent's job (an editor's job) hinges largely on finding what doesn't work in a manuscript. This does not mean that your manuscript doesn't work. All it means is: It did not work for one person.

An example:

Two days ago, I received this from someone who was reading the full: (among sprinkled positive and negative thoughts...) "I never felt like I was really able to curl up with these characters and get a deeper understanding of them."

Yesterday, I received this from someone else reading the full: (among sprinkled positive and negative thoughts...) "The characters have depth, become real...I was really swept off my feet...nearly nothing has made my heart palpitate like The Great Lenore since the first time I read This Side of Paradise at the age of 14."

Two different readers. Two completely different reactions.

Of the few editors who have seen The Great Lenore, all of them were a fan of the concept and the writing...and all of them passed for different reasons. One editor liked the characters, but didn't like the pace of the story. Another editor liked the pace of the story, but didn't like the characters. Another editor liked both the pace and the characters, but - well, you get where this is going - passed because of something else.

Listen(!) - if the writing is good, keep putting the work out there.

Remember: most agents are looking for the reasons why a project won't work. No, they're not being vindictive - this is their job. The fewer problems they find with a manuscript, the more likely they'll be able to sell an editor on it.

Remember: most editors are looking for reasons why a project won't work. Same thing - they're not meanies. They're not twisting their mustaches and hatching evil plans. They're simply looking for the likeliest pathway to successful sales.

But if the writing is good, that breakthrough will come eventually.

Keep your head up. And remember: Every opinion is subjective.

All you need is one person who believes.

In the meantime, keep writing.

Keep writing.

Keep writing.

Happy querying.
~J



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