How has my querying gone for my self-help manuscript Thriving After Sexual Abuse?
I recently got a comment on my guest article “Courageous Writing: Guest Blog Post By Denise Bossarte” on Change It Up Editing’s blog. They asked me if I would be posting about my agent query journey.
I have posted a bit about it on Twitter @AmThrivingAfter but I thought I would share a bit more here.
I have a query letter that I wrote with the help of an editor, Jennifer Hartmann through Reedsy.com.
I then wrote a book proposal with the help of an editor, Candace Johnson through Reedsy.com
I had a wonderful experience working with both Jennifer and Candace and found the Reedsy.com platform intuitive and very helpful in finding the right editors.
I read an agent’s blog that you should fight the despair that you might feel from getting multiple rejections by aiming to get 100 rejections. Turn things on their head so each rejection could be working toward a goal rather than another failure.
The first agent I queried was one who had asked for my particular type of book on her #MSWL several times. I had read her blog and watched her YouTube channel and felt like she was someone I could work well with. And she was also an agent who had a quick response time.
So I sent my query out and within the day got a rejection. I was disappointed because I thought I had a decent chance of hitting it out of the park on the first swing.
Why was it rejected? The nice form letter I received said it just came down to a subjective choice: the agent taking work on what they thought they would want to represent.
I was disappointed but glad for the fast response.
So I decided to have keep a sense of humor about it and created a “Rejection Countdown” gif to post on social media:
The first rejection letter suggested I try another agent at the same agency.
I picked an agent who looked like a good fit for my book and queried her.
Another fast response, another rejection. Update the counter!
This rejection form letter said she had a large client list already and had to be very selective on whom she worked with. I just did not make the short list.
My editor knows an agent that could be a good fit. She sent off the query letter and the agent asked for the book proposal!
Finally, moving on to step 2!
So we wait a bit to see if my author platform and book proposal are enticing enough to get an offer of representation.
In the meantime, I will continue to share my story, experiences, and inspirations for others with my goal of: inspiration, vulnerability, and compassion.
Here’s to the rejection countdown stopping at 98!
