Querying is a lot like looking for a new job. You put a lot of time searching for the right fit. You pour your best work into a cover letter, you may take a stab in the dark for something totally unrelated when you’re feeling desperate, and you get a lot of no’s before you finally hear the yes you need.
It’s exhausting. But you wouldn’t just give up your job search because you’re getting more no’s than you expected. You might get some help or try a new tact, though. And that’s exactly what you should consider for your queries as well. When do you know you’ve had enough and it’s time to move on? Here’s how:
Not Until After You’ve Exhausted Your Options
We like to think of book writing as the last solo creative venture. But once you have an agent or editor, the final product will inevitably be a collaboration. So, you may as well get help if you’re struggling to get an offer. You took the time to write a whole book. Don’t you want to make sure you’ve taken every opportunity to get it published?
Get a Coach for Targeted Advice
Do all of your beta readers get bored at the same point in your story? Or maybe, even after many revisions, you’re getting the same rejection notes. A book coach does more than help you get your first draft written. You can book individual sessions to get help diagnosing or fixing problems too.
Make a Better First Impression with a Query Letter Edit
If you aren’t seeing sample or first page requests, your query letter may need a revival. A query letter editor can help you meet industry standards to quickly engage agents and acquisitions editors and pinpoint areas to improve to make sure you stand out where it counts.
Get a Professional Reader’s Perspective
It’s highly likely that if you’re querying you’ve already done rounds of beta readers to improve your manuscript. But have you considered working with a professional beta reader? These readers help straddle the line between industry knowledge and reader experience without the cost of a developmental edit.
Overhaul Your Narrative with a Developmental Editor
It used to be a common experience for writers to go through initial development of their stories with editors from major publishing houses. But this has slowly gone away to maximize throughput for the publishers. Now you’re expected to have the development all but complete before arriving on an editor’s desk. That doesn’t mean it isn’t normal to want help. Now indie editors are taking on this role, and taking advantage of their services could mean all the difference.
When You’re Feeling Desperate or Bitter
Querying is a humbling experience. In fact, it’s meant to be. Publishers know that receiving dozens of rejections first makes writers feel much more grateful to get any sort of an offer down the line. But that doesn’t mean it’s the right offer for you. Not only can strong negative feelings impact your ability to query strategically, it can drastically decrease the bandwidth you have to negotiate a contract that will make or break your career as an author. Don’t put yourself in a scenario where you’re running on fumes. Take a break before you reach burnout.
After You’ve Taken a Break
So clearly you’re sick of querying. Why else would you be reading this far? But before you throw in the towel altogether, when was your last serious break? Author Twitter is amazing for a motivation boost, but the culture of nonstop grind can make you feel guilty for taking time away from the page. Don’t let it! You deserve a few days, a week, or a month to live the rest of your life and blow off some steam. If you come back and are still feeling hopeless about querying, then you have options for what to do next. But give yourself a chance to decompress first.
Querying sucks. There’s nothing you can say to the contrary. It’s horrible until it’s great. The good news is that the modern publishing landscape doesn’t require you to be part of it. You can get a great editor without going through a publishing house. You can publish your novel without one too. Or you can double down on writing to put a new story out there. Maybe they’ll want the one you’ve already worked on afterward! You have options.
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