#QueryTrenches

[indigowinterauthor]

on the road to publishing (and holding onto hope)

I’ve officially entered the querying trenches.

The first round of literary agent submissions has been sent, and let me tell you—it’s a weird mix of excitement, dread, and quiet hope. Pressing send on those queries was like handing over pieces of my soul wrapped up in a Word document. I’ve spent years writing Edge of Darkness, and now I’m asking, essentially, “Hey, would you like to represent this very personal thing I made?”

No pressure, right?

Before I even started querying, I spent months researching agents—cross-referencing MSWLs, interviews, agency websites, Twitter threads. I wanted to make sure I was reaching out to people who might actually love my story, not just tolerate it.

Some agents I’ve heard back from. Some are still silent. Some probably won’t ever respond. And I knew this would happen. I prepared for it. But even knowing doesn’t make it easy. Rejection still stings—even the polite kind.

But here’s the thing: Just like I have to push through the tough writing days, I have to keep going with this too. Another round of agent research. Another batch of query letters. Another deep breath.

I never thought this would be easy. I didn’t go in assuming the first agent I queried would say yes. In fact, I’m fully expecting this to take years. Maybe many years. Maybe it never happens the way I imagine.

And yeah—self-publishing is always an option. It’s quicker, in many ways. But for me, traditional publishing is still the path I want to try first. That’s not shade to anyone who goes the indie route (honestly, it’s a lot of work and I admire the hell out of those who do it). It just comes down to what works best for you—and for me, that means exploring this path for now.

At the end of the day, I write because these stories live in me. And I think they’re worth sharing. Even if it takes a while to find the right door to knock on.

So, I guess I should stop rambling and get back to writing. After all, there’s always another story waiting to be told. 🌒

— Indigo Winter

[atruebloodwrites]

Please, please, please write down all your questions before you have your agent “call”. Be sure to ask about communication style (how quickly they reply to emails, read your new work, etc). Ask about how long edits will take before you go on submission. Make sure your vision for the story & their vision align. Ask what happens if your book doesn’t sell. How do you proceed? Gauge their reaction if you ask about writing in different categories and genres. Some agents will only rep adult or YA or PB. I know many of these can be hard questions to ask if you’ve been querying a long time, but having a bad agent is worse than having no agent all. You want someone whose style and ideas match up with yours. You want a business partner and someone who cares about the length of your writing career. If you have any questions about querying, I am happy to answer as I’ve been in the trenches twice! #query #querytrenches #amquerying #aspiringauthor #publishingquestions #writingcommunity #writershelpingwriters #queryletter #offerofrepresentation #igauthors #authorsofinsta #writerlife✒️ https://www.instagram.com/p/CAbehuFAgMQ/?igshid=1krernji78pyg

[southernwomanscreations-blog]

Pitch Wars & Team Velvet Steel

Oh, how I love Pitch Wars. But mostly because of the awesome Discord group I gained from tossing my manuscript into the mentoring program. Team Velvet Steel is a group that is a riot. From obsessing over Rhys in the ACOTAR series to Cardan in TCP to mulling over dark characters, they keep things entertaining. And amid all the stabby-stab characters, they create spreadsheets and praise each…

[aniston-kay-blog]

dealing with agent rejections

so lately i’ve been in the query trenches.(this is not a fun step of the writing/ publishing process as one might imagine) it sucks even more when you receive rejection after rejection. but i’m here to tell you it’s not the end of the world. here’s some tips to keep your spirits up when agents just aren’t grabbing your manuscript.

1.) not every agent is right for your book baby

- every agent is different. they have reading preferences too. so just because they reject your book doesn’t mean it’s trash. they just know they aren’t the eighth fit for you. which is why it’s so important to do your research and find agents that match your genre or themes.

2.) rejections don’t = trash

- don’t get me wrong, there are definitely some manuscripts out there that need some work. but if you’ve been to the editor and you know that baby is as perfect as you can get it then DO NOT BEAT YOURSELF UP over rejections. like in the previous point ^ every agent doesn’t fit. or they might not see the potential in your book. but someone will. J.K. Rowling went through countless rejections but she never gave up. so you shouldn’t either.

3.) touch up that query letter

-if all else fails, revise that query. if you didn’t feel 100% confident in it the first few rome’s you sent it out, take a break from the trenches and sit back down at that computer. edit the sit out of your query and try again.

don’t give up my writers!

[childrenofankhseries]

#WildThing #micdrop🎤 #micdrop #query #querytrenches #scififantasy #scififantasy #horrorfans #horroraddict #darkfantasybooks #paranormalromancebooks #sexyimmortals I dare you 🙃 www.childrenofankh.com (at Alberni Valley) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9vKyzPHSub/?igshid=beb3w10fcluc

[kaylakingbooks]

http://kaylamaeking.wixsite.com/kayla-king-books/single-post/2017/09/06/The-Beginning-of-Interesting

[kattialeead]

[Scribbler] Tips for Querying Lit Agents, Part 1

[Scribbler] Tips for Querying Lit Agents, Part 1

Are you in the #querytrenches or about to embark on your querying journey? Same!

I’m thrilled to share my first in a two-part series for Scribbler’s blog: Tips for Querying Literary Agents Every Writer Must Know.

Check out the blog post on their site and then come back to let me know what you thought!

[thisliterarylife]

Writer friends

Wondering if an agent is looking for the manuscript you just wrote or are in the process of writing?

Check out: http://agentandeditorwishlist.tumblr.com/ Today is manuscript wish list (#mswl) day so keep an eye on the tag or on that Tumblr. 

[atruebloodwrites]

I think the holidays is the roughest time for writers, especially if you are in the query trenches or on submission. It’s difficult because in December most of publishing begins to shut down for the holidays. Agents are cleaning out their inboxes and taking care of established clients. Editors are trying to solidify last minute deals. Get to those manuscripts agents may be nudging on. There is just not a lot of room for anything new. Recently I’ve seen so many posts by writers who are so exhausted and feeling low over the state of publishing right now. I’ve been there and absolutely get it, but I also hope that people know this will pass. After the first of the year, inboxes will open. Deals will be negotiated again. Things will look brighter. So if you are feeling down right now, know that you are not alone. Please hang in there because things will look better in the new year. You’ve come so far. Please don’t stop now. ❤️ #writerlife #writersconnection #authorlife #querytrenches #publishingprobs #publishinglife #writersnetwork #writers_together #writersofinstagram #authorsofig #igauthor #igauthorlife https://www.instagram.com/p/CXjUWtfJCsu/?utm_medium=tumblr

[atruebloodwrites]

The struggle is real but I refuse to give up! . . . #backtoquerying #querytrenches #publishingtruth #nevergiveup #writerlife #YAWriter #novelten #storyteller #storytelling #yawritingcommunity #writingabook #pathtopublishing #perseveranceinpublishing #writingcommunityofinstagram #yawritingcommunityofig #igauthor #igauthorlife https://www.instagram.com/p/CU77IYqpBlQ/?utm_medium=tumblr

[atruebloodwrites]

. . Quite The Query is coming back! . A lot of people have reached out to me & requested I bring back this series on my blog. . This post is a call out to all newly-minted agented writers. If you’re open to sharing your successful PB, MG, YA, or Adult query with the writing community, please reach out via the website link in my bio or via DM! I’ll send along more details then as to how to participate!😊 . . . #writergram #query #queryletter #querytip #querytrenches #successfulquery #pathtopublication #writingabook #writinganovel #writingaquery #writingcommunity #writershelpingwriters #picturebooks #mglit #yalit #writersoninstagram #yawritersoninstagram #mgwritersofinstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CKeycYWAFc9/?igshid=1tykp02lg8l78

[atruebloodwrites]

Querying is such a hard thing. It has its highs and lows. I’ve been in the trenches many times and know how difficult it can be. My one big thing I always tell people when they ask how I got through it is this - play the long game. Don’t think about getting an agent as a stepping stone but as merely a piece in one larger puzzle. You have to think long term in the publishing business. Not about who will lead you to the next step, but who will be a partner for your entire career. . It can be very exciting to get that “call”, but you must temper your joy with reality. Think long and hard about who will stick with you through the good and bad. Will stand by your side if you don’t sell a book in those first years. The right agent for you should be someone who recognizes the ups and down of the business. Who is willing to stand by you in good times and bad, because if you have a long career there will definitely be both. . . . #litagent #querytip #querying #publishing #publishingworld #pathtopublication #querytrenches #writinglife #writingcommunity #writingcommunityofinstagram #writingcommunityofig #writerlife #igauthor #igauthorlife https://www.instagram.com/p/CFAQ1yZgGBB/?igshid=l6pkl12xm832

[aniston-kay-blog]

just sent my first query letter...

AHHHHHHHHH

[atruebloodwrites]

Publishing: How long can you wait? How hard can you work? Should you just give up? . . . Here’s the truth - it took me close to ten years to get here. Two books out in the world and 200+ rejections over that loooooong time. . . . I say this for those who may want to quit today. Who are thinking about giving up on that writing dream. . . . I’ve been there. Had those low days where you thought you couldn’t put another word on the page. What’s the point, right? It’s never going to happen. I’ve been in that spiral more times than I’d like to count. I thought for sure my words would never see the light of day. I know it can be hard. Demoralizing. But here is the honesty: if you give up you’ll never know what might have been. . . . I once read a quote that said, “A published writer is a writer who never gave up.” There is so much truth in that. If today is a down day, it’s okay. Take a break. Take a walk. Talk to a writing friend who understands the struggle. Once you’re ready, get your butt back in the chair and work.I am proof that determination and obstinance can make a dream come true. Hang in there. You’ve got this! . . . #writingtruth #aspiringwriter #aspiringauthor #writingrejection #bookrejection #querying #querytrenches #queryletter #writinglife #writingpath #yabooksta #yabookstagram #yareads #yabooksofinstagram #yalit #iwriteya #igauthor #igauthorlife https://www.instagram.com/p/CB0-bd0g2vR/?igshid=10z0iw47byq41

[kaylakingbooks]

BEYOND THE SHORE: In which I discuss my blogging hiatus, the soon-to-be-published book of poetry from @thepoetryannals, and more! #blogger #backtoblogging #writerslife #poet #writer #publication #querytrenches #dreamlikekaylaking