Insights from the Query Process

As a debut, would-be author wading through the trenches of the submission process.

I wish this post was one of those inspiring “Letters which got me 15 offers of representation” types, but unfortunately, it is not. I have yet to receive any offers of representation (I say “yet” because I remain hopeful), and have found the query process exhausting and not a little confusing. I’m writing this post to possibly provide some guidance and insights for others who are considering this process - and possibly seek aid from those already in the trenches.

For a little background, I recently put the finishing touches on my debut manuscript, a semi-sapphic historical fiction based in California, 1898. The piece has been on my workbench for several years now, and undergone numerous rounds of edits before I felt it was ready to be pushed into the world. As I have little to no experience in the publishing world (apart from two years as a journalist, which offered little insights but a small understanding of the violently shifting marketing trends dominating our modern world), I decided my best bet would be to seek a literary agent to support my journey.

I did not feel I knew enough about the industry, the market or the dynamics of publishing to push my work straight onto a publishing house. Furthermore, a part of me wanted someone in the industry to consider the novel, to help add finishing touches and edits (of which I have no doubt my book might need) before going for the big fish (so to speak).

That said, here are a few insights/thoughts I have had about the query process so far…

…SUBMISSION EXPECTATIONS

Scrolling Substack, you might think every literary agent expects the exact same thing. I have seen numerous posts with similar titles “The Submission Letter Which Got Me 16 Offers of Representation”. While I wholeheartedly (and not a little jealously) applaud those who are getting offers of representation, part of me questions the honesty of these posts. So far I have submitted to almost twenty agents. I choose to submit to three or four agents every week, spreading out my submissions, mainly to avoid a possible onslaught of rejections.

Here’s what I know. No two agents want the same thing. Some agencies require very similar things (author bio, synopsis, initial chapters) but I have yet to copy/paste one query letter for multiple submissions. Some agencies have lengthy lists of demands including chapter-by-chapter synopsises, marketing strategies, elevator pitches, detailed cover letters and evidence of previous writing success. While one hopes that one’s writing stands out, the demands are sometimes disillusioning and at times, frankly, time consuming. It is disheartening to spend over an hour, or several hours crafting a detailed submission only to receive a rejection letter two weeks later - with no insight as to which element of your submission was cause for rejection. One hopes it is the concept alone, but with the rigid expectations placed on would-be authors, it often feels like failing a test without knowing which question you got wrong.

An added complication to the expectations is the clarity of the agency’s themselves. More than once I have spent an hour or more pulling together the necessary components for a submission, based on one page in the site, only to find another page (or the agent themselves) listing different expectations. It leaves one concerned that by failing to attach a document, or by failing to add something to an email body (when it is already in the attachment) it will be cause for rejection. My only advice here is do as I say not as I do. Spend as much time as possible perusing an agencies website, not just their page on submission guidelines. As I said above, rejections aren’t always clear, and some part of me worries I will be thrown onto the reject pile for failing to add something to an email body when its already in the PDF attachment.

Further, as an Australian writer seeking representation, I have noticed the submission expectations are varied across countries. So far, I have submitted to primarily Australian and UK based agencies. Australian agencies are incredibly varied, but I have noticed UK agencies have more streamlined expectations. I have yet to dip my toes into the American market.

…TURN AROUND

So far, the responses I have received (rejections only) are polite. While I seem to only receive rejections when I am already having a bad day (I am unsure if this is a blessing or a curse), most have been considerate. Twice I received a rejection the same day I submitted - which was a gut punch - but the responses were plain and upfront. I wasn’t what they were looking for. An understandable, if disheartening response. Other responses have been more considered. One agent even sent a link to other agencies who might be better suited to my work. While I have no expectations for such replies, I appreciate those who take the time to acknowledge that as would-be authors, we really are laying our hearts out for trampling, just hoping someone might pick it up.

…AGENT AVAILABILITY

I am sure I am not the only one who has noticed some agencies just aren’t open for submissions. Understandable, considering so many agencies have indicated they have a minimum six week turn-around on processing submissions. Others are only open for shimmering slivers of time, one month here, a few weeks there. A few agencies to whom I would be desperate to submit are closed until July, or October. I have found agencies with several agents on staff do a great job of listing their expectations and availability, but as I said above, be careful to consider the submission process to agents themselves compared to the agency’s own expectations. If you’re thinking you might begin the query process in a few months, start looking now, just in case you miss an agency’s opening window for submissions.

…IN NEED OF A CRYSTAL BALL

While I hope that someone out there will see the value of my work, I have no expectations. I plan on submitting to at least 150 agents before I go back to the drawing board. I have a limited social media platform, and am wondering if this is impacting my positioning as a desired author. I have other book ideas which might be more attractive to a wider market, I am wondering if I should push them forward. If my debut manuscript fails to generate any interest, I plan on running it through another round of strict edits, seeking an expanded beta reader audience and repositioning it for submission to publication houses directly.

I am expecting more rejections than offers of representation. I am expecting to be let down by the process. Despite this, I know my writing has value, and I will continue pushing my work forward.

If I have any success, you’ll be the first to know…

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Thanks for reading! I hope I have offered some guidance and insights into the query process. I am really at the beginning stages of this journey, and might have more to say in the coming months. I am not well positioned to push harder - I live in a rural area, I work full time, I have a limited social media presence and I have not won any major writing awards. Over the coming months, I do plan to push my writing into these spaces - where and when I can - while working on other major projects. For insights into those processes, feel free to subscribe!