Data from the Querying Quest
In 2022, I was lucky enough to find representation with the brilliant Logan Harper at Jane Rotrosen Agency. This article will review my querying stats, but first, a disclaimer:
Straight away, allow me to underline in bright red marker how very much I hate the obligatory “How I Got My Agent” article. For those of you who’ve been lucky enough to write such an entry, please don’t take offense. It’s not personal, and I understand why people write them. The thing is, querying and the agenting process is a very personal one in the current climate. By that, I mean that there’s no “right” way to query. What works for one person is not at all guaranteed to work for the next. Sometimes, you’re just downright lucky.
All too often, writers get caught up in trying to make another writer’s querying strategy work for them.
The thing is, how [insert random author here] got their agent likely won’t be how you get yours. Seriously.
So, for anyone who is reading this, please know that the information I share below is not necessarily what you should be seeing in your own experience. It’s not a reflection of how good your book is (look to beta readers to provide that commentary) or that you’re doing anything ‘wrong.’ What it may be useful for is gauging the temperature of the industry.
Rather than sharing my tactics on how to query (it was pretty much ‘research, research, research; then ‘try, try, try’), I’m just going to provide you with my stats. While in the trenches, data is what helped me gain perspective and anchored in reality. If it helps you as well, read on!
Querying Stats (May 2020-October 2022)
Some context: From May 2022 to October 2022, I was actually querying two books on and off. These were NOWHERE and THE HIEROPHANT.
I wouldn’t necessarily recommend taking two on the road. It required a lot of close attention to what agencies I’d submitted to (you don’t want to simultaneously submit) and keeping an eye on CNR (‘Closed; No Response’) dates which aren’t necessarily accurate anymore to begin with.
It also made my numbers trickier to keep up with, so keep that in mind. I’ve tried to provide additional information where necessary, but there may be a few instances where the number of queries/rejections/requests may have scooted under the wrong manuscript.
The Winning Figures and Timeline
I received an offer from my agent in October 2022 following submission of both NOWHERE and THE HIEROPHANT (though not at the same time).
She originally requested a partial of NOWHERE following #PitDark in May 2022 followed by a full request in June 2022.
In early July, Logan suggested an R&R (“Revise & Resubmit”) with extremely helpful and detailed feedback. Seventeen days later, I’d sent back a revised version of NOWHERE. She loved the novel, but still passed based on other circumstances. Nevertheless, she invited me to submit future queries to her.
I was so impressed with the time and thought Logan had put into NOWHERE that I submitted THE HIEROPHANT to her in September 2022. Based on her feedback with the first MS, I already knew we would work well together.
In October 2022, my now-agent requested a call. When we got on the phone, we discussed both manuscripts, but really dug into NOWHERE with a clear vision and path forward. Happily, we decided to push ahead with that manuscript first, and in November 2022, I signed with her and dove right back into revisions.
The Figures Along the Way…
NOWHERE
Genre and Subgenre: Paranormal Horror/Thriller
Final Word Count at Offer: 85k
Full Beta Reads: 7* (3 fam/friend readers; 2 writing partners; 1 Pitch Wars mentor; 1 outside reader)
Dates: November 2020 - October 2022
Total Queries: 34
Full Requests: 6 (3 of these came from Twitter Pitch events like #PitDark)
Rejections:
- Form: 14
- Personalized: 5**
- CNR: 16
Offers of Rep: 2
*This is the one area where I will tell you there is absolutely one Right(™) component of querying. Do not query a book without beta readers taking a crack at it first. Some of their feedback will be garbage, but some of it is essential for crafting a solid story, especially when you see themes emerging between readers.
This number only represents the number of beta readers who read the entire MS and returned feedback. Don’t be dissuaded by the amount of readers who will agree to take a look but never get back to you. It could represent that they didn’t like the MS, but more likely than not, they just never got around to it. Think of your own TBR pile. Giving beta readers a due date is a good motivator.
**Of the personalized rejections, 2 specifically mentioned the market for horror. 3 referenced personal preferences in the horror genre (akin to ‘I like pizza, but not with olives’ – leaving out specific feedback only to preserve the novel’s twists).
THE HIEROPHANT
Genre and Subgenre: Paranormal Horror/Sci-Fi
Final Word Count at Offer: ~90k
Full Beta Reads: 7* (4 fam/friends; 2 writing partners; 1 Pitch Wars mentor)
Dates: May 2022 - October 2022
Total Queries: 39
Full Requests: 2
Withdrew: 1
Rejections:
- Form: 26
- Personalized: 1 (This was from a full request)
- CNR: 10 (May have been more as I may have marked some closed as outright rejections in QueryTracker. From memory, it seems like there were many more CNRs than this.)
Offers of Rep: 1
*Again, I cannot emphasize how important beta readers are. Do NOT query until you’ve had several readers!!
This number only represents the number of beta readers who read the entire MS and returned feedback. Don’t be dissuaded by the amount of readers who will agree to take a look but never get back to you. It could represent that they didn’t like the MS, but more likely than not, they just never got around to it. Think of your own TBR pile. Giving beta readers a due date is a good motivator.
There you have it!
The querying process is difficult, and you’re going to get a ton of rejections. Sometimes beta readers and critique partners will come back with painful feedback. Your work will 100% be picked apart along the way. And that’s okay. Take the critiques that resonate and make changes. Discard the ones that don’t.
Your art has meaning.
If traditional publishing is where you know you want to be, keep going!
Feel free to get in touch if you have questions.
As always, stay creatively and wonderfully weird even in the querying trenches, my friends!
~Allison
