Why Querying Right Now Is Such a Hot Mess

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Querying manuscripts to literary agents has always been a nerve-wracking process, but it seems like these days it’s even harder than ever to successfully query a novel. I have seen both authors and agents across online writing community platforms express frustration with how the state of querying is today. Based off what’s been going on in the industry and my own knowledge from working in book publishing, here are a few reasons why it is so hard to query right now.
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MORE PUBLISHING RESOURCES:
What the Heck Is Going on in Publishing? • What the Heck Is Going...
How to Spot a Scam Literary Agent: • How to Spot a Scam Lit...
Can't Get a Literary Agent? Here's What To Do: • Can't Get a Literary A...
Publishing Industry Secrets: • Things That Surprised ...
WHY IS QUERYING SO HARD RIGHT NOW?:
01:57 - Industry shakeups have caused backlogs
03:50 - Agents are being extra selective
06:56 - Agents have less time for queries
08:31 - There are more scammers than ever
09:18 - What should a querying author do?
ABOUT ME:
My name is Alyssa Matesic, and I’m a professional book editor with 7+ years of book publishing and editorial experience. Throughout my career, I’ve held editorial roles across both sides of the publishing industry: Big Five publishing houses and literary agencies. The goal of this channel is to help writers throughout the book writing journey-whether you're working on your manuscript or you're looking for publishing advice.
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5 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 258

@cynthiaking5308 Год назад

I have to say i queried for a few years and decided i don’t have time to be ‘discovered’. I decided to pursue self publishing. Maybe because I’m old and want my book out before I’m dead, and the traditional route reminds me of being asked to sit with the cool kids at lunch. Learning the self publishing process is as hard as learning trigonometry. It’s exhausting and expensive, but you only have to do it once and then you can cut the costs down because you’ve already experienced the learning curve. Would I like someone to say ‘here’s the next gone with the wind’ and pluck me from obscurity and put me on morning TV? Heck yeah. Realistically, I just like to write. Having it out there for somebody to enjoy (or not) is my goal. But like I said, I’m old. My ego has taken enough hits I figure it can take a few more. As for the money? I’m worth the investment.

@susanbrougher2265 Год назад

I understand and have four selfpublished books on Amazon. A great learning experience but my most important goal is have my books read widely. That is why I am sticking with traditional publishing of my novel in hopes of finding more readers for all my books. I am retired and want to see this happens sooner then later but will not give up on traditional publishing. It is great to have a book published but if No one reads it what then? Can't hurt to keep querying. Who knows how long you will live or what life tomorrow will bring.

@adoris864 Год назад

Is self publishing that expensive?

@susanbrougher2265 Год назад

@@adoris864 The expense depends on how many skills you bring to the process. And on the amount of support you must spend money for just to get the book to high enough quality to be able to compete with millions of other books. I have two childrens books with color illustrations which add more cost. I used Outskirts Press a highly ranked selfpublisher and averaged $1, 500 to $3,000 for each of my four books. The most important things to spend money on are custom book cover, editing, and reach of your publishing package itself. Hope this helps.

@cynthiaking5308 Год назад

@@adoris864 it can be. There’s a learning curve, and you need to pay for people like content editors, regular editors, proofreaders, formatting. You can learn to do things formatting. First of all, I went on a site and hired a content editor. I’m a total newbie. She should have told me up front about the font and spacing and grammar. Instead I was a couple of hundred dollars in and then she told me. Then she told me my characters were too mean. Fighting spouses are not nice. We negotiated terms and she didn’t follow. She ended up three months late and only half way through, saying I had plot holes I needed to fix before she could go any further. So I hired someone else, we discussed what I needed to do so I did it. She acted as editor and did the proofreading and formatting. She was much easier to work with. I only tell you this because I would have fired her a lot sooner if I had the confidence. And cover design is a cost. And other things that add up. So yeah, it’s not cheap. But my next books will be easier and cheaper, because I know what to do now, and you own the rights. Lots of info on you tube. You need to sift through it all and I paid attention to everyone like a dog chasing it’s tail I got overwhelmed. It’s quite a lot to learn, but I’m a better writer for it. Outline your vision first and narrow your focus. Research first before you hire.

@bodine219 Год назад

@@adoris864 technically no, but if you search "how much does it cost to self-publish a book" on youtube, you'll see a few videos pop up that talk about how much it costs to put out really quality work that can sit next to traditional books without being spotted.

@thomasfairfax4956 Год назад

Major problems with the publishing industry: ONE, it doesn't matter how good a writer you are. If your story doesn't fall in line with the personal tastes of the agents and editors, you're not getting published. The advice of, 'Write what you love,' or 'Write the story you want to read,' is great so long as you realize the chances of an agent and editor wanting to read that story too is very slim. TWO, well above 90% of all agents and editors are middle-class women, who share similar backgrounds and tastes (at least here in the UK). Less than 1% of the publishing workforce come from working-class backgrounds. Of course, if you're middle-class then this isn't a problem - it's an advantage. Hence why I suspect this will never change. And on a side note, most debut authors these days have had their manuscript looked at by a freelance editor - all well and good for those who can afford to do that, adding yet another barrier for poorer people. THREE, editors now have to be jack of all trades. Publishing houses used to have several different editors work on every novel. Developmental editor (big picture story, structure etc), copy editor (grammar, syntax, inconsistencies etc), line editor (prose, style, clarity etc.) Now editors seem to have to do all three. I think the one missing the most is the line editor, which is an art of its own - it requires talent, not just a degree. Cormac McCarthy wouldn't be where he is without his line editor, who also happened to be Faulkner's line editor. The pair do extensive rewrites of almost every paragraph before the book gets anywhere near the shelves. 1984 also wouldn't be the novel it is without Orwell's line editor. You can find images of the original first page with his line editor's suggestions and cross outs all over it. Orwell is not known for his prose or style, but without his line editor, his prose was clunky and awkward to say the least. In conclusion, I image most of the problems come from the top. The CEOs, directors etc. Profit is valued now more than ever. It's cheaper to have one editor do the job of three, even at the expense of quality. It's cheaper to proclaim you are in favour of change than actually take action within your own company.

@AB-ng7go Год назад

Bingo. In the U.S. that 90% number is closer to 97% by the way. And yes this means the entire industry shares one very narrow perspective and if you don't fit into that perspective your chances of being published by these gatekeepers is close to nil.

@andrewverlaine Год назад

"Cormac McCarthy wouldn't be where he is without his line editor, who also happened to be Faulkner's line editor." Mind = blown.

@ladyursala Год назад

So good. To add, I hate the advice to debut/first-time-querying writers that they should write what they want and not worry about the market. This couldn’t be more BS. We all know that, once that first book is out, and you start talking with your agent/editor about what to write next, they’re going to encourage or discourage you from writing certain things based on market conditions. Why should we not be writing our FIRST book based on market conditions?

@thomasfairfax4956 Год назад

@@ladyursala Yeah, it's a real dilemma. I'll use myself as an example. There hasn't been much published in the last ten years that has swept me away published in the sci-fi, fantasy, horror realm, which is what I enjoy reading most. So I do write the stories I want to see and love, rather than following the market. However, I write now just for my own escapism and enjoyment. Knowing the realities of the industry, I have no illusions of publication and it's taken me too many years than I care to admit to relax and see my writing as a hobby, rather than pressuring myself to make it my profession.

@dueling_spectra7270 Год назад

It's interesting that even on the indie publishing side, the "write what you want to read" doesn't always hold true. You definitely have more latitude to publish whatever you want. However, if it falls too far outside of the reader's expectation of whatever gendre it's classified as, they'll stop reading. Ditto for quality issues. That's a major issue since if you publish in K.U. you're not paid for every book "sold," rather, a percentage of the global subscription slush fund based on page reads. Plus one of the most popular indie strategies is having a collection of series so your voracious readers can jump from book to book to book. If you jumping gendres, expect to rebuild your readership from scratch and consider a new pen name so your sci-fi fans apathy isn't affecting your new thriller's ranking. Even skipping to a new sub-gendre's risky. However, if what you're writing already falls into one of those niche categories, you can get your books to people who will appreciate them.

@MadailinBurnhope Год назад

it's strange how much more confident I feel about querying when I have someone explain an agent's situation / context / routine

@andeeharry Год назад

Querying is like going through a minefeild blindfolded while continously being slapped across the face with smelly fish. .....anyway, this has always been a messy, hard slog that takes years to be noticed. Loads of agents have shut thier ''doors'' until somewhere after May and with loads of people not working now, it has become harder. They are busy with the homebrands, and others that got through.

@whitneylivingston5706 Год назад

I braved the query trench earlier this year. I did a query workshop with an editor. Everyone else in the workshop got feedback on how they could change their letter to improve it. All I got was “you use all the right words but it just won’t stand out”. So I asked my cousin who is a freelance editor for a self publishing house if she could read it and give me ideas on how to make it different. After reading, she told me I shouldn’t change a thing and that I should explore the self publishing option because of current situation in the publishing industry. She asked if she could pass my story on to several of her friends in the literary world and all of them have liked my story. I got my manuscript back from my editor last week, have a cover artist lined up, I’m working on an audio book narrator. I will have my book available for presale in a year.

@AlyssaMatesic Год назад

Congrats!

@brigittegerlach Год назад

Good luck ❤️🍀❤️ I'm just now preparing my first book to sail out to agents and it's scary. I'm considering selfpublishing too. What genre do you write in?

@whitneylivingston5706 Год назад

@@brigittegerlach my book is a YA fantasy. I got it back from my editor last month and I’m working through the edits in what little free time I’ve got. My proofreader is ready for the final draft.I have my cover artist/interior formatting lined up for 2023. I’m going to be looking for a narrator for the audiobook next. I also plan to launch a website for my series with a world building blog when I have ARCs ready to send out for reviews so that I can maintain reader interest and share some of the world that didn’t make the books.

@brigittegerlach Год назад

@@whitneylivingston5706 Hi Whitney That sounds great. Isn't it an adventure? Yes and very time consuming. Nerve-wracking. I wish you all the best ❤️🍀❤️🍀❤️🍀 I'm having my first book published with a semi- vanity press, Pegasus, Mackenzie ltd. I rushed through the editing, formating and cover choice expierience. Now I wait again.... Publishing seems anyway to be a wild mix out of hectic moments combined with a lot of waiting.... But the book I've been talking about here is the one I am writing to hook an agent. It's part of a triology about a grey witch fleeing inquistion , resolving personal issues and learning enough magic to defend herself. Told that way it sounds a bit dry. I hope it is not. I'm a bit struck in waving the subplot into the middle of the first book. If you can deal with some sex scenes and violence, I suggest we become the proto-cell of a new critique group and support each other through the publishing and querying wars. Are you interested?

@sapphyreviolet Год назад

My stats, as a newly agented author: - 4 years - 5 books - 6 full requests - 39 form rejections - 2 R&Rs - 1 offer

@AlyssaMatesic Год назад

Thanks for sharing!

@jamesbuckley4279 Год назад

In the past 18 months I’ve been ghosted by more than 9/10 agents. No improvement after I revised my ms and several published authors told me my work and query letter are good. This isn’t right. We’re human beings. Everyone deserves basic manners and respect: just a form rejection would be something.

@days1739 Год назад

@@AB-ng7go Sure some agents might be doing what you're talking about, but most are being honest. Also, agents don't get a salary. I think a lot of people don't realize the vast majority of agents work off of commission and only make money through the agent's percentage on books they SELL. Any good agent will prioritize their current clients because it's through nurturing and helping them that they not only make money but building an enduring portfolio. Sure, some agents can sign debut author after debut author and pump out things at factory speed, but most agents actually care about their image and their name being dragged through the mud as a money-hunger monster can do a lot to a person's mental health.

@Astropeleki Год назад

Unfortunately with the current situation their backlog is so big that they are looking for any excuse to not pursue an author, or even respond them. It's just the current situation that has made it worse, hopefully in a few years things will improve. And if not, there's always self-publishing

@brambledemon1232 Год назад

I understand why these agents didn’t respond. I ran a small short film festival. At a certain point, you just get buried in requests and you have no ability to get done what you need to get done, and reply to everyone. 90% of the rejections I gave came from films I rejected in less than a minute. One minute. I’d watch it, and I’d know right away that it wasn’t up to the films I’d already accepted. I can’t imagine what it’s like to be a big named agent and have thousands upon thousand of people querying you on a monthly basis.

@timtolka Год назад

Agreed. Having any response from 10% is actually good. Something other than a form letter= Wow. I low-key hate agents and the publishing industry. The pace is old-fashioned and inadequate. I think people are better off self-publishing.

@mdaniels6311 Год назад

I agree 100%. I get loads of emails too, and sending a copy and paster response takes 5 seconds. If the person has complied with the submission details, they deserve a reply at the very least.

@singin8324 Год назад

Stephen King once said he had nails hammered into the wall, where he would pin all his rejections. Knowing this gives me hope.

@zanemarion7211 Год назад

I tell many to do that also. You going get rejection slips no matter what

@singin8324 Год назад

@@zanemarion7211 Ain't that the truth.

@AprilsMoon92 Год назад

Originally I thought it would be great to get traditionally published but with these issues and also a few others I’ve found I realized that self publishing is the way to go for me.

@AnnieRMcEwen Год назад

The industry has far too much work for the number of agents expected to do it. If the number of queries an agent is expected to review vastly exceeds capacity, then the logical managerial solution is to hire more agents. If the agency is doing so poorly it cannot add more staff, then it must - stop - requesting - submissions. It's absurd and abusive that writers who format their work in the best, cleanest, most professional form possible cannot get a query read for six months - or at all - because agencies are so short-staffed. It's good to know why this is happening; it would be better to know what's being done to fix it.

@absolutelycitron1580 Месяц назад

Too bad this is the end of history, and we can only expect the industry to seek more profit and cut more staff. Just like every other industry

@rwhague6160 Год назад

Novel One: 207 queries 1 full request that has been out for 5 months with no response 1 publishing offer from a small independent publisher that went bankrupt 1 month prior to the book launch date Novel Two (still querying): 15 queries/14 rejections, 1 still outstanding Novel Three (still querying): 10 queries/ 3 rejections so far; 7 outstanding So, yeah....

@solaraynor6750 Год назад

I've sent 32 queries and received 8 rejections. I followed tips from your videos and also had a professional editor edit my query letter. I'm researching agents, personalizing my queries, and following their instructions for how they want queries e-mailed. I started querying on 06/27/22. Some of the agents have been very quick in responding. Most are polite and a few are encouraging.

@hikkipedia Год назад

Thanks so much for your encouragement. I'm waiting to hear back from two agents with my full right now and keep checking my emails every ten minutes haha

@lesliemoiseauthor Год назад

Thank you for bringing some transparency to this frustrating process.

@jennifirehere1413 Год назад

Well that just cinched it for me... Self-publishing it is. My genre is popular, but one for which it is difficult to find representation. I've already queried all the agents that specifically list it as something they will publish. I'm sure I could carpet bomb, but I'd rather have the control and forward motion that self-pub offers. Doesn't sound like agents are taking chances these days. What drives me bats is when you're trying to take the time to get to know an agent and figure out if you should even bother them with a query, all they have on their description is "I'm looking for that diamond in the rough," or "I love a book that I can't put down. A real page turner with an original voice!" Well, gee, so do I lady, but what the heck does that mean for you?

@ElderBill Год назад

Excellent, Alyssa. Honest and forthright! Thanks for being so open and accessible.

@singin8324 Год назад

Thanks for the heads up on the scammers, Alyssa, I'll be sure to check out the link below. Great upload.

@dueling_spectra7270 Год назад

I expect that there were a fair percentage of the population that finally had time to sit and get that novel they had been thinking for ages out of their brain. Something about lockdowns.... The literary agents probably have a HIGHER volume of queries to weed through on top of everything else.

@Gaywatch Год назад

You're exactly right. They're swamped because of the lockdown (and the slush pile only got worse because it's like you said--a bunch of new writers finally trying out that dream they always had), overworked, underpaid, burned out, etc etc. Trad pub as we know it will likely burn to the ground but with a billion dollar industry something will take its place.

@brigittegerlach Год назад

Oh dear. Poor me, I'm one of them.... Lol.

@qine6559 Год назад

Great video! Super detailed and explained with empathy! ❤️💎

@AlyssaMatesic Год назад

Thanks for the kind comment!

@nicholaslewis862 Год назад

I just discovered your channel, and while I'm early in the writing process, your input has been immensely helpful. I particularly appreciate your insights into seeking literary agents for traditional publishing, and that video about close third person. You make all the problems authors face seem manageable.

@AlyssaMatesic Год назад

Glad it was helpful!

@alanagostinelli6849 Год назад

I'm just starting my querying process. One obstacle that I have noticed that you didn't mention is the frequency at which agents open and close their inboxes to unsolicited queries. Several times, I have found an agent who seemed well aligned with my manuscript, but by the time I researched their recent work and composed a query letter, they were closed.

@mdaniels6311 Год назад

I had the same thing recently with a 'dream' agent, and it sucked!

@Nate1975 Год назад

Tried both - traditional and self-published. Self-publishing is expensive with near zero return/readership. Traditional will get you readers, editing and marketing but it is sheer luck if one query ends up an acceptance after years of trying.

@absolutelycitron1580 Месяц назад

Makes sense

@eddieyago6589 Год назад

Thank you for this video, Alyssa. It feels like there’s nothing but doom and gloom on every publishing-related forum or social media. I think that makes your encouragement especially timely. While I’ve yet to reach the querying phase for my current work, my beta-readers have convinced me I have a great story on my hands, and that I should trudge on despite industry complications. Just subscribed. I hope I’ll see a video from you celebrating positive trends in publishing when I’m ready to query.

@AlyssaMatesic Год назад

Thanks for the kind comment! I wish you the best for when you start your querying journey!

@absolutelycitron1580 Месяц назад

Tysm for the tip to seek out new agents at reputable agencies. After watching this and so many other videos on the topic those new agents will be at the top of my list. Ones that are hungry and will risk it for the biscuit. That is when I finally finish self editing like 5 years from now lol

@jeffreymartin5606 Год назад

,Another great video, Alyssa!

@StGroovy Год назад

I just finished writing a collection of interconnected short stories. Didn't realize collections like this are almost impossible to get published until I started looking for an agent. Super...

@days1739 Год назад

If they're interconnected, it should be easier to sell! You just need to look for agents that specialize in it. Stand-alone collections are the hardest. You can also separate some of the stories for literary journals and short story contests. That will get your name out there/maybe even earn some money and it will help cushion your heart if an agent doesn't pick them up.

@KarrGalaxyStudios Год назад

Definitely been frustrating but also eye opening for this newbie writer. Thanks for the video.

@AlyssaMatesic Год назад

You got this!

@TomorrowWeLive Год назад

Everything about the publication process except the actual 'write a good book' part seems deliberately conspiring to prevent any chance of me in particular being published. Such a shame. I have no interest at all in self-publishing.

@machinedhearts Год назад

It's interesting to see the trad side of the industry, thank you for the video. I looked into pros and cons of self-publishing a few years ago and it seemed all of the top editors were hidden behind the trad curtain. But the pool of quality editors, cover artists, etc has grown significantly for self-pub since I started research. Quality self-pub takes a lot more upfront money and it's more of a risk because it relies on the author's understanding of their target market, on top of being a competent writer. But with all that, I'm excited to see how self-pub is evolving.

@AlyssaMatesic Год назад

Me too! I really hope things keep evolving for the better for self publishing, for both authors and editors!

@katiecotter1897 Год назад

I'm a believer in "Fall down nine times, stand up ten." I've sent out 397 queries. I have some pretty funny rejections. I've had two requests for manuscripts. The best I've done is have an agent tell me that they are representing something similar right now or they would have offered to represent me. So there's about 1300 literary agents out there. I keep rereading my manuscript for possible editing issues and rewriting and rewriting my query letters to make my pitch more appealing. I am still querying. Thanks for the advice.

@AlyssaMatesic Год назад

What a number! Best of luck Katie!

@katiecotter1897 Год назад

@@AlyssaMatesic I keep going because one agent read the entire manuscript and said she loved it, but she had a similar book she was representing and couldn't really champion both. You said that in your video. I had representation offered from an English publisher, I resisted. So I have confidence in the material. Readers say it's good.

@FablestoneSeries Год назад

wow and i thought i had sent out a lot. at 400 you should probably stop for awhile and instead try being very very particular about who you choose. I've gotten pretty good at sniff out the good ones, and I sure you have too.

@brigittegerlach Год назад

Good luck ❤️🍀❤️ I'm just before crawling into those trenches and it's scary.

@ArtemisMS Год назад

You asked for stats, so here are mine! --I have sent out about 30~35 queries --Received two full requests --Received two partial requests (one from a pitch event) --I have applied to mentorships six times, finally got in on the sixth attempt --I began querying in November '21 --Some agents take months (4+ mo) to respond, but most DO respond --ALL query rejections were form with ONE exception --BOOK: queer adult romantic fantasy

@nextinstitute7824 Год назад

That's great...! What are mentorships?

@adoris864 Год назад

How do you know who to query? Where to query? A pitch event? Can you please share details? Thank you.

@ArtemisMS Год назад

@@nextinstitute7824 Diverse Voices :) They run #DVPit.

@nextinstitute7824 Год назад

@@ArtemisMS Many thanx, interesting, these mentorships...

@rob7349 Год назад

I'm a firm believer in quality control, having gone through my own first manuscript several times after getting it reviewed to make sure it's up to snuff. That being said, I understand the publishing industry is a business, but I can see the attraction to self publishing outlets when one's own work, years perhaps in the making, is potentially held up by FUBAR situations in the big 4 publishing houses

@mwinjinakambasiame9496 Год назад

some publishers even have the nerve to say you can only submit to them. lmbo.

@shaunmcmichael6386 Год назад

Super helpful inside look, thank you.

@AlyssaMatesic Год назад

Glad it was helpful!

@jeffreybarker357 Год назад

Here’s to hoping the last few years inspire this dinosaur of an industry to modernize. But I doubt it! Appreciate your thoughts on this! Self-publishing is probably going to explode even more.

@bodine219 Год назад

I agree with you. This hot mess is part of the reason (although certainly not the only reason) that I'm choosing to self publish and I can't imagine that I'm the only one.

@mwinjinakambasiame9496 Год назад

@@bodine219 i read seasonally for a publishing house. And the honest truth is artistically preferences are quite subjective. Each publishing house has a VERY specific vision for the kinds of work they want to to be known for. Moreover we have a limited publishing budget so we can only choose one or two or three authors to publish a year. That said I wish we could have a separate acceptance letter for authors we think could self-publish. So instead of us doing the publishing work just simply allowing authors to use our name as a stamp that their book has actually been "peer reviewed" within the publishing industry so that those books are also eligible for awards etc. We could still cap as well the number of those acceptances but it would be more authors. On the other hand THERE is also a lot of writing that needs a lot of work out there. I am considering self-publishing when I feel like I've built up my credentials a little bit more in the industry. If you can self-publish but still have respected authors put a blurb on your book or if you say self-publish a collection of stories that have all previously been published individually you actually could still do all right as far as getting attention from the literary world if that's what you want which is mostly the only reason people want to be published by mainstream publishers.

@bodine219 Год назад

@@mwinjinakambasiame9496 yeah, I think the only reason I had really considered it is just because those are the books I grew up reading. I honestly can't tell the difference between those and a well done indie these days. Plus I never cared about awards, so self publishing just makes sense. I think you're mistaken about why people want to traditionally publish though. It isn't attention, it's the validation of getting through the gatekeepers. When I told my family I was going to self publish, I had to do a lot of defending it. 🤷‍♀

@marygeorge2467 Год назад

Looking at my list, I started querying May 20. I did two or three a day then tapered off a lot in June. I've sent 30, and have received 1 ms request and 10 rejections. 5 of them were "I did yead your submission material...found great qualities....while there is much to admire here..." For the most part they did say they personally read the material, and encouraged my pursuit because "the business is so subjective," that they hoped I would "find someone to champion my work." Reading through them, I have to say the rejections are encouraging. Patience and fortitude, patience and fortitude......

@AlyssaMatesic Год назад

Well said, Mary!

@susanbrougher2265 Год назад

Repeating this as sent in reply but better here. I have queried 39 agents over 6 months with 15 form rejections for my first novel, a literary women's fiction romance. I will keep querying because once I do get an agent not only will my novel have a better chance to reach readers but my other selfpublished ones will too. It is much about marketing which takes money and the right contacts traditional publishing can provide. Don't give up querying.

@Heidi-ih9ej Год назад

literary women's fiction romance... that's 3 different genres. which is it? Is it literary with some romance in it? Is it Womens Fiction with some romance in it, or is it straight Romance ??

@susanbrougher2265 Год назад

@@Heidi-ih9ej I had a difficult time deciding on genre as you have pointed out. It is literary writing definitely women's fiction but romance is throughout. It is contemporary with a strong female character facing decisions of love and career. I spent a lot of time reading about genre and reading books in the genres I picked and trying to figure out genres on Amazon. I got more confused since my writing does not fit one alone I kept all three. Good question. Thanks for asking and help you can offer on this would be appreciated.

@Cmdr1962 Год назад

250-300 queries sent regarding four novels. About fifty-percent rejections; the rest, silence. I have also read several new published books that, honestly, sucked. (Plenty of good ones, too.) Yeah, it's frustrating.

@BandersnatchGlass Год назад

Thanks again! 😄

@johnsauer9067 Год назад

Seems to me that: 1) there are too many books vying for bookshelf space (real or virtual), and 2) too many wannabe authors submitting queries and manuscripts. It's such a long shot, especially for a first timer, that it's nearly a case of "abandon all hope, ye who enter here." I seen comments elsewhere of people having sent in over 100 queries and...nothing. One major romance publisher that takes unagented submissions took 15 months to reply to me, with a terse "thanks but no thanks...and keep writing" response. I get that the agents and editors are overburdened, but with zero feedback on why they didn't like my story, I'm literally throwing darts at a target while blindfolded to figure out how to write a next story that they will like. I thought the music business was hard. That's a cakewalk compared to book publishing. At least as a musician I can do open mics and play farmers markets, etc. - not any money but a few people get to hear me do my performing art. I'll probably end up doing the "vanity publishing" thing, getting a few books printed, losing money in the process, just to know that a small number (rather than zero) people got to read my story. But thank you for your video. Sort of reaffirms what I suspected. And, like the music business, anyone thinking they'll make a living at writing needs a serious smack upside their head.

@clintoreilly Год назад

I guess in a way, it pushes authors to do give their best and also to polish their manuscripts :) Thanks for keeping us posted, Alyssa.

@justinelombardi5697 Год назад

I have decided to stop querying, for now, there are many reasons. But I would say the top five are: 1. My manuscript is a hot mess and needs a rewrite (I am learning). 2. I am neurodivergent (dyslexic), and although agents often say they are interested in expanding the representation of the neurodivergent like me in the industry. We can't deliver a highly polished manuscript. I would have to hire an editor and then start querying. If I am going to pay thousands out of pocket for an editor, that seems like a good reason to go down the self-publishing route. 3. My work is not a good fit for the requirements of a debut author today. (Too long, not a typical arch, horror, etc.) I may try again with a different manuscript I am currently developing, as it will be short and have a typical arch. Or if I can figure out how to split my current novel. I may try to query that a few months from now. 4. I am 42 with a great day job I love. I am more interested in sharing my stories than becoming a famous successful author. 5. It is fairly clear outside of big names and CEOs, no one is making any money. I think this is why agents have to be so picky. They can't afford risks in the current market. I see editors who have worked on big-name books on Reedsy and Fiver. That is a sign they are not making decent money either. At this point, I wish Query tracker had an option to withdraw the queries that have been waiting on rejections for weeks and months.

@djoseph104 Год назад

Thanks for your insight, Alyssa. As a new writer, this process is horrible, and as much as you are just trying to explain the situation, I just sit and stew on the ramifications. As an owner of a small engineering company, if the workload from my customers is too significant, I figure out how to offload the work (as in hire help). A few of your recent videos sound more like justification for poor management. For the love of all that is good, get them help! But it seems much more like the agencies are looking for a quick turnaround and championing this over greater potential. I get it, and, at the same time, I really don't. The low-lying fruit mentality is destroying other industries too. The music industry, for example, has destroyed innovation. All labels are looking for the same sounds and stuff that they know will sell, with minimal investment on their part. That's why so many 'new' songs you listen to sound the same. Much like what you are explaining with writing, the idea that first-time bands bringing ground-breaking concepts to a genre can catch these jaded agents' attention seems only remotely possible. It is doubtful that David Bowie, Prince, or even The Doors, would find representation in today's industry. They were just too 'out there' and needed some work to perfect. My frustrations (and rejections) are continuing to grow with this process (which has included beta readers, editors, etc.). None of this is your problem. I just figured I am not alone; others need to know that too. I believe too much in my work to not continue, but your videos just confirm many of my suspicions. It is kind of sad, but thanks for your kindness in sharing.

@AlyssaMatesic Год назад

Yes, there's definitely a lot of parallels between the current issues with the publishing industry and other creative industries. But I'm glad you're able to find community with other writers and author-hopefuls--it's one of my goals as a RU-vidr to not only inform others, but to make a supportive and encouraging environment for creatives! Thank you for your thoughtful comment :)

@AvatarYoda Год назад

I'm working on novels that are nowhere near ready, but I would really like to publish one day, and videos like these always dishearten me. Yet, I want to know the truth. Almost no new fiction published in the last several years has interested me; I either DNF or don't sound the least interested in the premises, which tend to become homogenous (and I'm a librarian--I know what comes out each month). There is one exception: a few years ago, through a patron request, I discovered a historical series called The Circle of Ceridwen, and I loved it the way I haven't loved books in years. It was first published in 1995, and the tenth book just came out. I have written the author multiple times, and she said she has complete creative control over the story because she self-publishes. She even gets to design the covers. (She even kind of knew who I was because she found the quizzes I wrote on her books for Funtrivia and she recommended them to her readers. Learning that made me literally jump up and down with joy) I hadn't thought well of self-publishing before then, but seeing the possible outcome puts me into a more positive frame of mind about it. I just might consider that, if I can afford it, if my eventual queries fall through, as I fear that my stories won't be of interest to publishers because they don't generally fall into the usual neat genres, nor do they utilize most of the popular tropes (most of them don't even contain romance).

@AlyssaMatesic Год назад

What an amazing author interaction! I definitely think that self publishing is evolving for the better these days, so if you decide that's the best path for your novel, it will serve you well!

@susanbrougher2265 Год назад

I see people discouraged about the traditional publishing route. I say don't be do anxious to think selfpublishing is better. It has drawbacks. I have invested in publication of four books. They have good reviews on Amazon but getting people to buy them is the problem. My main goal in writing is to reach many readers.

@susanbrougher2265 Год назад

Sorry more to say and hit the send by accident. I have queried 39 agents over 6 months with 15 form rejections for my first novel, a literary women's fiction romance. I will keep querying because once I do get an agent not only will my novel have a better chance to reach readers but my other selfpublisd ones will too. It is much about marketing which takes money and the right contacts traditional publishers can provide. Don't give up keep querying.

@AlyssaMatesic Год назад

Well said, Susan!

@azia3337 Год назад

I got so many rejections lost count but i still have hope great video

@AlyssaMatesic Год назад

Best of luck, Azia!

@Lina-hm8sw Год назад

Dipped my toes into querying in February (~8) received mostly form rejections and decided to pause while I built up my agent spreadsheet a bit further (and also need to address the growing list of submission guidelines that require a synopsis - which I’ve been avoiding 🙃). I’m feeling better prepared, but with it being mid-summer I’m now thinking it would be best to wait until fall to start again. I know my colleagues (and myself) have been taking ample PTO - assuming the publishing industry is the same?

@nextinstitute7824 Год назад

You really mean synopsis? Not a blurb?

@AlyssaMatesic Год назад

Yup, your reasoning is about right! Summer can be an off-season for querying, so if you're trying to ramp up your querying it'll be better to wait until fall.

@hannahlee3268 Год назад

All my life, I wanted to be an author, and now the year 2022 is the year I finally start sending out query letters. Rotten timing! I've sent out over 20 queries and have gotten back a slew of rejections and silence, but have heard back from 2 agents who suggested I shorten the manuscript. This chaos you've described in the publishing industry may be one reason agents want a shorter novel. I want to do all I can to be easy on these poor agents who are drowning by making the cleanest manuscript and query possible. And at the same time, I'm so desperate for something to happen.

@AlyssaMatesic Год назад

I wish you the best of luck, Hannah, as you continue querying!

@kengause9259 Год назад

I sent out around 75 queries for three different novels and got a handful of form rejections. I don't blame the agents since my books tend not to fall in the word range for the genres I am writing in (most are over 100k words count) and cross genre boundaries--paranormal mystery/SCI FI. I eventually gave up and self-published my first book this year and am working on the second book to come out in 2023. I still dip my toe in the traditional publishing waters, but no longer expect to strike paydirt. If it happens, that would be great, but I am now more realistic about my chances. My books are just not the right fit for traditional publishing.

@AlyssaMatesic Год назад

It's great to see that you are continuing your publishing path through the self-publishing realm!

@elicreeley5379 Год назад

I began querying on 7/11/22 and I have 6 out. I'm currently at a pause, working on my synopsis.

@PetProjects2011 Год назад

I've sent around 15 submissions so far, but only received one response back, and it was a form rejection.

@eversonverissimo28 Год назад

After getting so many rejections last year and no feedback whatsoever other than "it is not you, it is me", I realized the problem was totally on me and worked on crafting my book. I can now say my book is way stronger, I have never learnt so much about writing, and I feel happier about the book I'm writing, but boy do I want to get back on querying hehe.

@AlyssaMatesic Год назад

I'm glad you were able to use those rejections as creative motivation instead!

@julenana Год назад

Hi Alyssa, I pitched a poetry chapbook to an agent during an online pitching event in April. The agent liked my pitch and then requested the full 38 page MS. I sent it a week later and didn’t follow up because I wanted to give the agent as much time as possible. She finally got back to me three months after, and I was very disappointed to get the impression that she didn’t even read it. I didn’t receive a form rejection, but instead, a short message advising me to work on placing individual poems in lit magazines, which I have been working on since before the pitching event. I can’t help but feel like I wasted my time if she didn’t even read the MS she requested in the first place. It’s my first time querying, so is this something that happens often, that an agent who requests a MS doesn’t even read it?

@colinpatrican6451 Год назад

Loved this video! Question for you-- I've recently been querying agents for a sci-fi novel I've written and have been told by someone in the industry that my word count (134,000) is too high and is destined for immediate rejection as a first-time novelist. I've since gone back and trimmed it down (it was 140,000) but given the condition the industry is in, do I even have a chance? Or will agents get spooked by the word count and simply toss it aside? Beta readers of mine have given glowing reviews thus far and have never once complained about the length or that it dragged, which was always a concern. What's your take?

@AlyssaMatesic Год назад

It depends on a lot of factors! I go into some of them in this video here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-nacJDqogoNM.html

@ccormore Год назад

Hi Alyssa. Just a question. Does this apply to all the genres, or are certain genres a little less over-burdened than others? For example, I write children's (MG) fantasy. Is that something that is in a worse or possibly better position than others?

@getkraken8064 Год назад

The key word is "submit".

@DesperationLasts Год назад

I'm finishing up editing on my book and planned to query mid next month. Kind of scared to now.. yikes.

@seanlahey4692 Год назад

I’ve sent out 104 submissions since Oct 21. Received 37 rejections. All very nice and professional (just don’t feel passionate about story). No requests for full manuscript. Young adult fiction, fantasy- involving East Coast Native American mythological creatures and some tribal history. I selfed published my first book 6 years ago, wanted to try traditional publishing for this one. I guess my timing stinks-LOL

@AlyssaMatesic Год назад

Traditional publishing is hard, but it seems like you're putting in the work! Best of luck with the querying process!

@brigittegerlach Год назад

Hi. I'm writing adult Mediaval Fantasy. And am about to crawl into the querying trenches. It's scary. I write on an european background. Hard to do after Tolkien &co. But I think your idea a good one. Keep up trying. I'd love to read some of your work ❤️🍀❤️

@BonkersBlake Год назад

I’m at about 80 rejections now and have had a full request about 5 times by a mix of agents and indie pubs. I got one offer but we think this was from a vanity press. My main issue is that my genre is travel lit which doesn’t seem to be on the wish lists of that many agents.

@AlyssaMatesic Год назад

It's still great that you've had five full requests! Best of luck with the process!

@andrewjohnston1564 Год назад

The problem is next to no MSWL aligns with what write. I've altered what I write year after year to fit these lists and no dice.

@adoris864 Год назад

Hello and thank you for your video. Yes, it is frustrating. I am certain that my unique story with its unique African American character voices would grab the attention of agents. (The horror version of The Color Purple) However, I'm not quite sure how to list mine. I'd call it a Spiritual Thriller, but I can't find anything comparable to it now. My biggest obstacle is perhaps knowing WHO to query. I'm getting afraid because I'm becoming discouraged. Any suggestions would be most helpful. Thank you.

@brigittegerlach Год назад

Hi. I'm just another newbie author about to crawl into the querying trenches, it I think your story sounds interesting. Good luck and tell me how it's going. ❤️🍀❤️ Hugs

@absolutelycitron1580 Месяц назад

So idk if this still applies 2 years later but it sounds like demand is way less than supply in the book industry. So many authors and so few agents and publishers. So much product but very few sellers. The producers far outnumber the consumers. The query market is saturated.

@jessip8654 Год назад

I'm taking a break after 20 form rejections and nothing else. I've gotten both my manuscript and query letter heavily critiqued by tons of skilled people so it's not like I'm pitching out an unpolished turd. And I'm clearly not the only one hitting a brick wall either. The stats on query tracker is just a sea of rejection and not much else. No idea when or if it'll get better, but when everyone is saying that this is the worst they've ever seen it, maybe I'll check back in a year.

@jessip8654 Год назад

@@AB-ng7go Every critique partner I've had (about 15 for this story) says my concept is super hooky and that they've never seen anything like it. They tell me it's hilarious, that the characters are lovable, and the story's twists and and turns keep them flipping the pages. They tell me the voice is strong, both in the manuscript and the query letter. I know what I'm doing. I've written several books and have taken them to multiple critique groups. I know I have a good book because I can see people's reactions to it compared to my first crappy book. I'm good, but "good" doesn't mean an agent is going to take me on. Maybe it's because I have no social media, pre-existing audience, or writing credentials from fancy schools. Maybe they just think it looks dumb who knows.

@ivylilybasket Год назад

@@jessip8654 Maybe it's unmarketable genre, "never seen anything like it" often means for agents "who the heck do I sell this to even?" so they pass instead for more mainstream projects they can clearly pitch, like yet another Bridgerton knock-off romance, or something.

@jessip8654 Год назад

@@ivylilybasket who knows? I wish agents would give their reasons for rejecting, but I understand that's just not possible.

@jessip8654 Год назад

@@AB-ng7go not true at all. A lot of the people getting the book deals right now are TikTokers and youtubers. When the industry is looking this iffy, it helps you sell your book when you already have a built in audience.

@chriselwell8269 Год назад

Agents make out they all have their personal diverse wish lists. They would have easier lives if they just admitted that there is only one universal very short list and if you're male with no teenage girl coming of age story then don't bother submitting.

@susanohnhaus611 Год назад

Here's a querying story, just in case you read your comments. One day I received an emailed submission and first ten pages of a book, along with the author's bio. I am not an agent. I have never been an agent. The email came to my personal email box. It was absolutely 100per cent correctly addressed to an agent at a publishing house. I looked up the agent and verified the email address. But, it came to me. I responded to the man who sent the query to tell him that somehow it had come to me and he should resubmit it to the agent. I would never do anything to make a fellow writer look bad in an agent's eyes and so I did not email the agent. I do not know the man, never been to his town, even his state (good ol' google). End of story except that it gave me a starting premise for a story I am working on, and it made me wonder if all the emailed queries I sent out got where they were supposed to.

@AlyssaMatesic Год назад

Wow, what a miscommunication! Thanks for sharing :)

@jazzman7441 Год назад

There's a website called 'Authors Queries' that recently launched. It's essentially a marketplace for agents and publishers to look over what books are available, in other words 'they' find 'you'. Pretty promising.

@tamjg Год назад

Please check online as I've heard it's scam.

@jazzman7441 Год назад

@@tamjg So i signed up, there's little to do on there atm, they're renovating their website. But i had a publisher contact me 2 days ago, editingle, a legit publisher too. I honestly think i was lucky, not many authors on there right now. But not a scam (for once)😁

@JGVIllustrations Год назад

This hot mess just makes me further question the need for literary agents…I get that a middle-man is useful but it’s times like these where this process just doesn’t look like is efficient or necessary. I just don’t get why authors/artists can’t just pitch directly to publishers if agents are so swamped.

@irismori2633 Год назад

The editors are as swamped, if not MORE swamped, than the agents are. Having an agent proves to the editors that you passed muster enough with someone they know and have a working relationship with. It's like having a friend put in a good word for you with with someone they know. More importantly for the writer a good agent does the footwork FOR YOU - they search out editors that are looking for what you write, follow editors as they move to other publishing houses, and look at the track record and interests of their replacements. They also have an ear to the ground for new trends and what's selling. They ALSO negotiate the money for you, so you don't have to. Yes, the self-pub route eliminates the gatekeepers, but I for one am lazy - I want someone to get me the most money possible (my agent), someone to tell me when my writing is crap (the editor of the traditional publishing house), someone to design my covers for me (the design department) , someone to sell to the big accounts/bookstores (the sales department) and someone to market for me (the marketing department). I don't have the time or the energy to do all that - because I'm writing, haha

@rowan7929 Год назад

Have only gotten rejections this year for my latest novel. Got another only a few days ago. It certainly is frustrating after getting rejections for 2 previous books, making you wonder what the heck these agents are looking for when you clearly researched them what they prefer. Will see if I query my YA novel this year, otherwise it will be next year. Sadly.

@AlyssaMatesic Год назад

Best of luck to you!

@rowan7929 Год назад

@@AlyssaMatesic Thank you.

@jameshansen7108 Год назад

I agree with all that you've said. It's been hard, I'm, still querying, and I'm thinking of reworking the Prologue and First chapter now, just to make it a little more fast paced. I find that a bit hard, because I love detail and knowing what the characters and places are like, ah well. I'm trying to have patience and keep my chin up lime you say, but it does get frustrating and very depressing, coming back to a project you've put your heart and soul into and knowing that it's just not good enough. Do you think it's worth just getting the manuscript edited by two independent editors prior to querying with the market being the way it is? Just so you honestly say in the query letter that it has been edited?

@AlyssaMatesic Год назад

If you have the budget for two editors, then it certainly wouldn't hurt! But ideally, the first editor should be catching major developmental mistakes anyways; unless you didn't enjoy the depth of an initial editor's critique, a second editor may not have as much to say.

@jameshansen7108 Год назад

@@AlyssaMatesic, awesome, thanks for your answer in that. Much appreciated.

@randyobrien1 Год назад

I published my first book with an independent publisher in 2007. I published my second book last year with a different independent publisher, and they've committed to publishing another book next year. I send out queries and get no response. Am I doing something wrong? Am I too old? I'm 67.

@tameracoates398 Год назад

New subscriber ☺️❤️

@Mozzyons Год назад

I've surpassed 40 rejections. I'm really trying to hit 100 this year 😎 who's gonna top me?

@cjpreach Год назад

Polish - Polish - Polish BEFORE you submit your MS to an Agent! My plan is to query with my 12th Draft (which is my final, post-editor draft).

@thekeywitness Год назад

Although I have ideas for books that I want to write, I'm reluctant to spend time developing them because none fit the most popular/lucrative genres (romance, YA fantasy, crime/thriller, celebrity memoir, self-help, etc.) Given the state of the publishing industry, I don't have faith that my outlier book idea will persuade any agent or editor--most of whom are women who naturally favor content that appeals to young women--to invest their time in the work of a 50-something male who isn't already famous. It's discouraging to think of how narrow the path has become for publication.

@EstelleVandeVelde Год назад

So would you recommend an author to pay freelance editors to make their manuscripts the best it can be before querying? Then what's the point of querying and go traditional if an author has to pay to edit their books anyway? I thought the point of going traditional was to not having to pay for the editorial work (I mean copy edits / proofreading mainly, as I'm doing the dev edits whatever the publishing path).

@cjpreach Год назад

My plan is to query with my 12th Draft (which is my final, post-editor draft). The reasons I am willing to pay for editorial services are: (1) I plan to present my BEST possible work so the agent is impressed, and (2) I have seen the improvement to my work when I have used an editor in the past. FYI - I am typically a real CHEAPO, but I see real value in paying an editor. However - Multi-million selling author Jerry Jenkins says DO NOT pay an editor, because "Who's work are you presenting the publisher? Yours, or someone else's?" So you need to either GET help, or BECOME your own expert. Best Wishes with your work!

@AB-ng7go Год назад

no, most people recommend NOT to hire an editor because it's considered 'cheating' in a sense and agents want to know that you're capable of cobbling together a semi publishable work on your own first. I think the people who recommend hiring editors prior to querying are way in the minority and I've seen this topic discussed to death in every online venue imaginable.

@cjpreach Год назад

@@AB-ng7go "no" What do you mean? Did you read my whole entry? Just wondering. Thanks.

@TheWriteAngle Год назад

I've only submitted two queries. It took 87 days before one of the two asked me to cut the word count to 55,000 and send the full manuscript (which I did). It has now been 84 days since I sent it to them. The other hasn't responded at all after 112 days. I would've submitted more, but I was trying to limit my queries to agents with an interest in not just Christian fiction, but romantic suspense under the CF umbrella (and there simply aren't many). I didn't want to waste time and energy sending queries to people who weren't likely to be interested.

@TheWriteAngle Год назад

I am successfully self-published with a significant sales history, but I have been hoping to publish this series traditionally.

@soniyakulkarni7299 Год назад

So is being on submission. It's hard all around.

@QuentinPoverino Год назад

Does it make sense to query during August? I'm about to finish another novel draft, and I wonder whether I should wait for September...

@AB-ng7go Год назад

whats the difference?

@martinvanhelden7770 Год назад

Just think about the Harry potter books she was rejected many times and how wrong was that in the end. I send my work to an agent or publisher on a take it or leave it base we are the artist and we create the works if we stop they have no work anymore

@TheEmmy Год назад

I've sent out approx 30 queries and received 17 form rejections, 1 personalized rejection, 9 no answers and 1 full request. But, tbh, I don't know how good my query was. I did a lot of research, went through drafts, asked for critiques etc and got great feedback and changed it numerous times. But still not a lot of positive responses... I think my story might be too weird/queen.

@tobeytruestory Год назад

So, like, if they're backlogged, why don't they just say they aren't accepting any submissions at the moment?

@cjpreach Год назад

My first Query (25 years ago) was directly to the publisher. Yep, they told me it hasn't worked that way since L. Frank Baum tossed his "OZ" hat into the ring. (Or, something like that, anyway.)

@rdrydnghdwolfe1396 Год назад

I did that too around the same time, having misread the submission guidelines. But it worked.

@keithgall8636 Год назад

Do agents pay attention to top self-published titles with an eye to sign an author to "The Big Leagues"?

@zanemarion7211 Год назад

Never send a rough draft. Ever. That is a huge don't do. I have seven novels to write and four those is spy thrillers.

@BoneistJ Год назад

In the past two years, I've sent about 20 queries and have gotten 19 rejections and my only outstanding query has been in consideration since last October. When I tried to follow up, that agent has since changed their status to closed and I've hear nothing from them.

@ovidbowie3929 Год назад

Were these twenty for the same project? Thanks for sharing.

@AB-ng7go Год назад

typical "courteous" agent behavior

@BoneistJ Год назад

@@ovidbowie3929 Yes.

@ovidbowie3929 Год назад

@@BoneistJ That's a great ratio tbh. Even though you got ghosted, keep it up and knock 'em dead with the next book :)

@chethanraj4645 Год назад

Hey Alyssa, I have a question. I had been querying since the fall of 2021 and more than a hundred agents rejected my book proposal, but I was optimistic and kept querying including the publishers, and on March, one of the publishers accepted my book proposal, my book now sits in their repository. Official contract is yet to be signed and I'm done with the waiting game. I'm so compelled to self-publish my book. Should I wait for the contract or go the self-publishing route? Am from India, love your videos btw.

@rwhague6160 Год назад

If the publisher is small, you will still end up doing the marketing of a self-pub novel to sell anything. If it's too small, your editing and cover design will be subpar and possibly mistake-filled. And any books you do sell, you'll only be paid a fraction of the ticket price. So, it's a judgment call. If you don't have the money to self-pub, you can use the publisher to do it for you---just acknowledge that you're still paying for it on the back end by not getting 100% of your book sales revenue. If, however, you have the money to self-pub and the market know-how, you might be better off going that route.

@chethanraj4645 Год назад

@@rwhague6160 Thanks for the info...

@rwhague6160 Год назад

@@chethanraj4645 No prob. As a broke person, I'm facing the same dilemma, haha

@michaelconley2793 Год назад

Agents are like realtors. They're gate keepers who only exist because they say they do and the big publishers agreed. They shouldn't be between you and publisher, but there they are! There are as many agents as authors out there, so no legitimate reason the publishers use them, except it's a circular pay to play scheme. Self publish.

@citizenothegalaxy Год назад

Whens the best time to query?

@Dylan-zm3ht Год назад

This popped up on my feed and I assumed it was about sql and was confused. Well not an author but good luck to all the authors here.

@coralhahn3389 Год назад

What's the best way or ways to obtain an alpha or beta reader for my biography? I would like to make progress.

@AlyssaMatesic Год назад

I've seen writers find great beta readers through online writing groups hosted on Facebook and other social media websites!

@cjcorallo5775 Год назад

Just started querying 2 weeks ago, after 8 years of writing!!😅 I should've started sooner

@AlyssaMatesic Год назад

No better time than the present!

@jamesgossweiler1349 Год назад

My gut tells me that the "locate an agent" route is slowly going the way of the dinosaur. It makes more sense for the big publishers to survey the quality, high visibility authors and engage them.

@Corlwow Год назад

I have a question about queries: Does the synopsis for a query of a first book in a series have to be for the whole series or for the first book?

@fighting_bones Год назад

first book

@Corlwow Год назад

@@fighting_bones thanks :)

@bewareofpigeons Год назад

Over the past two years I must have sent out two or three hundred query letters with no positive response , i.e. leading to representation.. Sometimes I have to say that I wonder if what I send is read at all, but have to believe that it is. I scrupulously follow each agent's particular requirements, making sure that i avoid their bugbears. Many do not answer, other than an acknowledgement, perhaps promising a follow-up, which usually doesn't come, unless I then ask for a reaction, which in turn is negative.

@AB-ng7go Год назад

your experience is what 99% of people experience. Only a select few are lucky/good enough to get published unfortunately. Not saying you're not amongst that select few, you could still do it. There are many who have been rejected thousands of times and end up getting in later on

@miguelsantosfantasy Год назад

learn to self publish, seriously. Your can get an editor to work on your project and get beta readers to give you feedback. You will learn a ton about writing for readers, not agents. If you want a career learn about self publishing.

@hiplessboy Год назад

I guess my question is, if there aren't enough Editors to handle the workload, why don't Publishers hire more? Sorry if my question is ignorant. I thought books sold well during the pandemic. Executives can't be happy that their workforce is quitting in clusters. Can't they use the profits from the pandemic to hire more editors? I feel like I'm missing something. Thanks Alyssa!

@Heidi-ih9ej Год назад

Because they don't want to. A lot of people quit and their jobs aren't being replaced, the work is just being piled onto existing editors who stayed. They're still making heaps of money, the publishers I mean. Why would they change anything?

@DeusExMachina50 Год назад

With all the opportunities in self publishing nowadays, why would a new author subject themselves to the headaches and frustrations of traditional publishing?

@tarzantheapeman1427 Год назад

What’s interesting is that I’m coming from an acting background. Most talent agents and casting directors won’t even get back to you if they don’t like you. So if you don’t hear anything, you assume, “Welp, guess that’s a no!” This whole concept of hearing back is kinda weird haha

@AlyssaMatesic Год назад

What an interesting point! Unfortunately, it seems like agents across the board are busy--often times literary agents will also ghost querying authors, as they don't have enough time to get back to every query.

@tarzantheapeman1427 Год назад

@@AlyssaMatesic Yes that’s true! Hopefully they hire on a few more people to deal with the demand 🤣 But the entertainment industry as a whole will have a renaissance in a few years, I’m sure of it! 🙂

@LukeKendall-author Год назад

About 500,000 new books are published each year now. How good those books are sit on a Bell curve: some are fantastic, some are awful. Let's say 1% of those 500,000 are great: that's 5000. Traditional publishing simply can't cope with the number of books on offer (scarcely even just the great ones, if somehow magically they only received those). The traditional publishing business model assumes an economy of scarcity but in reality it's embedded in an ecology of plenty. The publishing industry as a whole is still struggling to come to grips with this fact. You should absolutely not assume the problem is with you or your book, it's simply that you need a lot of persistence and luck even if your MS is very good.

@happydayssunny7830 Год назад

1.53 it starts 👍

@yiota23rock Год назад

Alyssa has righ in every point. I am querying since 2020. After that i keep querying but i have burnout A agent that she reject me She said me that she has to love the progress for believe in book. Agents did the same with us. If they didnt love the progress how will love to work with u?? In addition this scamf that Alyssa mention i have the luck to see one and lucky me i didnt believe any of their say. After that i read the comtract i understand that what about is and i reject it.