I begin querying my second manuscript today: Running from Ruby Ridge. Most of you have read the query. It's changed a bit since then, but fundamentally it's pretty much the same.
I've been at this (attempt at) publishing thing for nearly four years now. When I thought about that last summer, it kind of depressed me, but jumping into the query waters once again, in what is honestly only my second real try, kind of puts things in perspective. I have friends who wrote eleven books before they got an agent. That's actually not all that many, compared to some.
I had a lot of success with my very first manuscript. No book deal, no representation from a literary agent, even, but I did get several full requests, and when you think about it, a publishing professional spending a good deal of their very valuable time to give honest and hard thought consideration to your work, your very first work, is a pretty big deal.
Of course I also spent three years writing and revising that manuscript, but this one only took me one year, so hopefully my attempts at submission will go that much better too.
I'm taking it seriously this time (not that I didn't before) with a saved project at QueryTracker.net, and paying extra attention to Publisher's Marketplace. Though I've been familiar with them for some time, I've never officially used these resources before (an Excel spreadsheet carried me through my last round) so I'll be sure to keep you all up to date on how they work out for me.
That's it, I guess. Wish me luck!
43 comments:
Sending positive querying vibes your way!!!! Woo-hoo!
Go for it, Matthew! This is your time.
Best of luck, Matt!!
Good luck! Hope it goes GREAT!
QT is one of the best tools in my writerly box.
Good luck!
Good luck! Can't wait to hear how it turns out.
Good luck, Matt. The querying roller coaster isn't much fun. Hopefully yours is but a brief ride on the toddler's version.
Time is never wasted if it taught us something. Keep us updated on the query-I have a feeling you'll be giving us some good news soon.
Good luck, Matt! That's awesome you wrote your second manuscript in a year. You're right that it's important to remember how many times it can take of writing manuscripts to get an agent. I need to enter the fray for the first time soon and get moving on my second project.
In France when we want to wish someone good luck, we'll say 'bon courage' or 'bonne chance' heck, we sometimes just say 'merde!' (which is kinda like 'break a leg') Anyway, wishing you all of these . . . BON COURAGE, MATTHEW! (:
I have everything I am able to cross, crossed for you!!!! And then some!! GOOD LUCK!! Sooooooooooooo exciting!!!!!!!!!!! Take care
x
I haven't seen any parts of this new one, but I hope it's great and gets you an agent!
Good luck! I hope it's a short ride.
Matt, I won't say exactly how long I've been playing this game but I've written 6 books all told and although I recently sold my first to a small pub I'm still looking for an agent. I'm crossing my fingers for you.
Wishing you lots of luck, Matt. Keep us posted.
You have a good head on your shoulders and a great attitude about it. Honestly, I think most first tries for writers in the querying arena is a trial-n-error. We need to get our feet wet and learn to feel this part of writing - the publishing world as a business. Best of luck and keep us informed!
Good luck Matt! Fingers crossed!
Good luck, man! You can do it. It's a tough journey for sure.
You have a strong, unique book that's going to be perfect for the right agent. Can't wait to celebrate when that right agent finds it!
LOVE me some QT. But you probably already know that.
I think this go around will be even better than your last one. I don't know if you'll get an offer, but i hope you will. You've certainly done the hard work, anyway.
Keep me in the loop. I'd love to know how it goes.
Welcome back to the Trenches! Have a cookie. I love QT, it's my new favorite way to stalk agents. Hopefully this time you'll knock it out of the ball park!
Best of luck, Matt. The QQQE brigade has your back. QT is the way to go too, by the way, I think you'll love it.
My bet is that you'll hear some good news soon. You are too talented not to have an agent and subsequent publishing deal.
Good for you, Matt! It took me seven ms's and more than one round of querying (but a few of my "rounds" were kind of wimpy so I don't know how to count them).
Good luck and all that.
And happy Canada day! Always good to remember the Canadians.
Good luck to you, man!
I tried and failed for much longer than four years. It can be a tough road. But it's one worth traveling for sure.
Looking forward to your progress on this front in the coming months!
Go get 'em.
Well, I wish you the best of luck even if I think you shouldn't waste your time with the Trads. Yes, I just made that up.
Good luck, Matt!
You are right -- it's all in how you look at things. I know there were several times in the last six years (which is when I entered the publishing fray)that I felt discouraged. But whenever I looked back, I could see how far I'd come. The progress might have been slower than I wanted, but there was no turning back for me!
As you are aware, I'm entering the query waters as well, so I'm sending you happy query thoughts, warm query vibes for success and I hope to see your post - very soon with that special agent announcement :-)
You can do it, Matt!
Also, I believe that is a Twitter hashtag to look out for: #MSWL
It has some agents and editors mentioning some of their manuscript wish list desires. Maybe one mentioned a genre description that fits your story.
Just thought I'd share :-)
You'll make it dude.
Very best of luck!! I had to write four books before I got an agent :) It'll happen. Just keep plugging away at it.
Wishing you success!
Best of luck, Matt!
Here's to hoping for that smart agent to take notice. Best of luck Matt.
Wishing you buckets of good luck on your query adventure. I hope the requests start rolling in! :-)
Best of luck, Matthew! You can do this! And four years isn't that long. I've been writing seriously for six years, but less seriously (i.e. off and on) for a lot longer than that.
I didn't query my first novel, but I've been querying my second novel the last few months and had two requests for fulls. No offers.
With all you seem to know about this business, I'm sure you'll get lots of requests, as well as offers. Keep us posted.
"They" always say to keep at it, so keep at it. My first was like that too. So many positive comments, a few fulls, many "someone will definitely take this on, but it's not for me." So I keep sending it out while working on more. Eventually we'll get there. We can't just quit or they win. =) Okay, it's not an us vs. them, but sometimes it feels like it's us vs. the world.
www.williamfriskey.wordpress.com
Best of luck, Matt!
Best of luck, sir! Your query rocks, and your story is one I'm dying to read. I'm thinking all the good thoughts for you!
So much good luck wished to you Matt. We're all rooting for you!
WOOHOO!!!!!!!! *sending lots of good juju*
Aloha Matt,
I've been using QueryTracker and ever since they upgraded the site about six months ago, it's been a whole lot easier to use.
GOOD LUCK with *your* query - and thanks for being there to help so many of your fellow writers :)
Sic'em Matt!!! :)
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