I’ve finished my manuscript. I’ve had it read by a test audience and made significant revisions based on their feedback. I’ve launched a website, started a newsletter (hello!), and gathered nearly 300 subscribers. I just wrapped up my book proposal.
So… I should be all set to publish now, right?
Unfortunately, no. Traditional publication contracts are only made these days through a literary agent. And as of the writing of this newsletter, I do not have one. And in order to get one, I have to send out query letters—essentially, carefully crafted pitches that ask an agent to represent me and my novel..
There are over 1,000 literary agents in the United States, which might sound encouraging at first. But once I narrow the field to those who represent middle grade fiction (my novel’s category), the list shrinks dramatically. Many agents focus on adult fiction, and quite a few work with picture books. Middle grade and young adult literature often sit in the “forgotten middle”—another reason I feel so passionately about writing for this age group. This is one of the reasons I so passionately want to write for this age group, since I believe they should be offered quality literature which is neither below their reading level nor too adultish in their topics.
My number of potential agents is further reduced when I check the “accepting query letters” button. It turns out that many agents receive more query letters than they can handle, so they often close their own submission page to new applicants.
Of those still open, each has specific guidelines: some want queries emailed with no attachments, others prefer online submission forms; some request only a letter, while others want the first 5, 10, or even 50 pages of the manuscript included.
The query letter itself is fairly standard: a brief description of the novel (title, genre, word count), a one-paragraph plot summary (think back-cover blurb—teaser + summary), and a short author bio that includes credentials or relevant experience. This is also the moment to name-drop any noteworthy mentors, editors, or writing-related accomplishments.
The challenge, of course, is standing out. With dozens (if not hundreds) of submissions pouring in on a regular basis, how does one letter rise above the rest? What is the magical term, characteristic, plot detail, name that gets you noticed?
I don’t know yet. But I’m trying.
Since I had never sent out query letters before, I asked the internet how many queries a new author should send out. The consensus seemed to be that new authors should send around 30 query letters—enough to reach a diverse group of agents with a differing level of interest and amount of availability. However, more than 30 was noted as unnecessary. As one agent put it, if you’ve been denied by 30 agents, you might need to step back and reevaluate your project.
I recently finished sending my 30th query letter. Agents typically take anywhere from 2 to 12 weeks to respond—if they respond at all. Many say, “If you don’t hear from us, assume it’s a no.”
So now I wait.
Fingers crossed that one amongst the 30 notices my letter, finds something special in my synopsis, believes my novel to be a worthy publication.
If no agents accept me, I might send out a second round of query letters or I might consider taking the self-publication route. It’s quite common these days and is months faster than traditional publication.
But I’m not crossing that road yet.
For now, I’m holding out hope for one small “yes” in a sea of “no.”
