I sent my query letters out this month. It’s been a long haul of research, drafting the query, revising, throwing it away, and re-drafting again. Then comes the agent research, reading blogs, making a list, sending out the queries, and the dreaded waiting. Yes, it’s been a process. It feels a little bit like writing a whole new novel!
If you’re in the agent/query stage of your journey, I thought I’d share some fabulous blog posts and websites that have been helpful in this joyful querying campaign!
Why You Need An Agent:
- Why You Need An Agent: Awesome post by agent Natalie Lakosil.
- Why You Should Never Submit Without and Agent: An editor’s perspective.
Finding the Perfect Match – Researching Agents:
- Literary Rambles: This is hands down the best site for researching kidlit agents. Use the list in the left-hand sidebar. This website has collected quotes, submission policies, and a plethora of amazing info on each person listed!
- Query Tracker: A free database of literary agents.
- Publisher’s Marketplace: Another great database to research agents and their deals.
Tips and Trick on How to Write and Amazing Query Letter:
- Crafting a Winning Query Letter: This is an overview of one of the best seminars I’ve attended on querying. Agent Dan Lazar demystifies the query process!
- Query Letter Suicide: How NOT to write a query letter. Tips and tricks from agent Jill Corcoran.
- Tips for Pitching and Querying Agents: An easy to understand overview of how to create a one-line to one-paragraph pitch of your book, from agent Mary Kole.
- Querying Do’s and Don’ts: Agent Rebecca Sherman gives you the down-low on what will work and what wont.
- How to Get an Agent Salivating to Read Your Manuscript: Another great overview on how to query, from agent Jill Corcoran.
- Query Letter: Quote of the Week: The best quick-snippet about what a query letter should be!
When You Get “The Call”:
- 10 Questions to Ask and Agent When You Get the Call: Good things to think about.
- Agent Janet Reid’s Questions: A great list!
- Literary Ramble’s List of Questions: There’s a list of links at the bottom of this post with even more questions to ask.
How to Deal with Waiting…and Waiting…and Waiting:
- How to Survive the Waiting: A great post from agent Natalie Lakosil. I needed to hear this!
Dealing with Rejection:
- Rejection Rocks! A post by me on the topic (with a great list of famous people who racked up the rejection slips).
- 14 Best-Selling Books that Were Repeatedly Rejected: You’ll be in good company!
Never give up! In the words of Dory from Finding Nemo: “Just keep swimming.”
Keep on writing!
Tags: Query Letters
I really enjoyed reading the books that were rejected by lots of publishers. The two that really surprised me were Carrie and Dune. I loved those! I don’t know what I would have done if they hadn’t been published. Thanks for all the helpful links! 🙂
I find it very encouraging to hear about great successes that had to jump through the same rejection/publishing hoops as the rest of us!
Thanks so much for these great resources. I bookmarked the page and will retweet.
Thanks for sharing! I’m not at the querying stage yet, but I appreciate you putting these links together to help when I am ready. (Hopefully soon).
Ingrid, best of luck! Someone wise once told me obtaining an agent is like finding a significant other. Some will reject you because you’re not their type, and frankly you won’t necessarily want to “settle” for the first one who is interested. You’ve done your research, which is more than a desperate single person does when walking into a bar, so I think you’re on your way!
I agree, it’s not about everyone loving you – but the right person loving you! 🙂
Ingrid, good luck! If your posts are any indication of your writing, it’s a slam dunk!
Thanks Anne Marie! I hope the agents feel the same way.
This is a perfect go-to-source for anyone about to submit to a literary agent!