The Harsh Truth About Querying Literary Agents You Need to Hear

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If you are currently querying or thinking about querying literary agents, you need to hear this harsh reality. #amquerying #querying #authortubechannel
Querying is the process of trying to get a literary agent or independent publisher for your manuscript. Many people begin the querying process with misconceptions or flawed attitudes about how it works. What is the truth about querying and traditional publishing? It's this: that this is a BUSINESS. At the end of the day, literary agents have a finite amount of time, and they are looking to support themselves. This means that you may receive generic rejections or no responses.
Many authors also have a frankly entitled attitude, believing they are above reproach and refusing to accept that anyone might reject them. In reality, writing and any creative career comes with rejection, and if you can't handle that, you might not be ready for the realities of this career.
Is it harsh? Yes. Does it suck? Kinda. Is it true? Also yes.
Let me know about your querying experience in the comments!
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Опубликовано:

3 окт 2024

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Комментарии : 13

@jackiereadsandwrites 3 месяца назад

Let me know your thoughts or experiences with the querying process! Additionally, if you're interested in becoming a beta reader for my current WIP - a 1930s historical mystery homage to Agatha Christie and the Golden Age of Detective Fiction - please express your interest at the link: forms.gle/KzGGfU1C85rpHdY38

@eolaspellor1718 2 месяца назад

Thanks for your insights. I’m just beginning the process of querying and have realized that it’s a great deal like applying for a job - which was also an ordeal!

@malikamaybe 3 месяца назад

Preach, Jackie, preach! You said so much of what I think sometimes when I see comments like some of these on QueryTracker. I’ve seen comments that have gotten mad at a rejection after an hour too with the same ‘I sent a query, three chapters, and a synopsis. There’s no way they reviewed all of that.’ And it’s like they may not have needed to to decide (like you mentioned). If it’s gonna be a rejection, I’d totally rather a quick one than a CNR lol. A *query* rejection after 1.5 years-ish is wild tho lol, but def no need call the agent a sociopath. Once a writer starts calling agents out of their names, I think it might be a good idea for them take a bit of a break from querying. This video was a great reminder to me to keep the business mindset when I start querying. It’s easy to forget after awhile in the trenches. Thank you!

@jackiereadsandwrites 3 месяца назад

Glad it was helpful! I agree with you, I'd much rather be rejected quickly. At least then I know and I'm not waiting for what's (usually) a form reject.

@KyleenWren 2 месяца назад

This video is fantastic! I've seen a couple of those exact comments on QT and I'm honestly shocked people act like that in any capacity, but especially in a professional forum. It's wild.

@jackiereadsandwrites 2 месяца назад

Thank you for the comment! Honestly - and I didn't even say this in the video - I've listened to a lot of literary agent interviews and some of them have said that they've actually had querying authors threaten them. I can never get over how unhinged some people are.

@EmmaBennetAuthor 2 месяца назад

Query tracker is really useful! Yes, everyone gets rejected.x

@mrsmax3071 3 месяца назад

I've been querying for two months and I admit I want to give up already. I won't lie, rejections suck. I let myself have a moment, but then I let it go and remind myself rejection is part of being a writer. And I certainly don't lash out at the agents who rejected me.

@jackiereadsandwrites 3 месяца назад

@@mrsmax3071 Yes, and two months is such a short time, it could still work out. You’re just beginning. I don’t know how many agents you’ve queried but you could always ask for feedback on your query letter if you’re not getting bites. (r/PubTips is great for this)

@mrsmax3071 3 месяца назад

@jackiereadsandwrites I've been sending them out in "batches". The first two amounted to 15 agents, and I got nothing. I just sent out a new batch (9 agents) with a whole new query letter and a revised first three chapters. I received one form rejection already, but my fingers are crossed. Good luck out there! I hope you get the book deal of your dreams!

@upinvermont3064 2 месяца назад

Great video. You and I are in the same boat with roughly the same number of rejections. I agree that it doesn't take three hours to read a query. I, personally, *love* same day rejections. I can get on with querying the next agent. That doesn't, in the least, prevent me from throwing another ten plates against the wall. But there's really no sense in lashing out at agents. I do sometimes scratch my head though. I recently wrote a YA novella giving several agents EXACTLY, and I do mean *EXACTLY* what they *claimed* they were looking for. They all turned up their noses. Am I a poor writer or are they bad at their job? I ultimately take a cynical view of the whole process. I've read enough "bestsellers" to know that quality isn't what decides a book's success. Gratefully, no agent has critiqued my submissions. I get nothing or I get form letters. I'm okay with that. I'm not looking for their opinion. I can get that elsewhere. I expect them to be agents and to leave the writing to authors. I'm looking for representation.

@jackiereadsandwrites 2 месяца назад

Agreed, I'd much rather be rejected quickly. Tbh, I think MSWL is somewhat helpful, but even if you have something that matches an agent's wishlist, there might just be something about the execution that they personally don't like.

@kevins7030 2 месяца назад

I'm generally happy to see a faster rejection because at least it's an answer. It's not like the probability goes up over time. I do think, though, that a lot of these agents are totally gatekeeping based on whatever prejudices and bugs up their butts they may hold. I generally don't query those types, who have descriptions on MWL and their own sites that advertise how much they want to fix the world. Funny, I thought they should want to sell books. But what do I know?