How do you know that a rejection is a sign to keep going? The personalized rejection can give you some hope. With 113 rejections in this last round of querying, I've developed some theories about what constitutes an authentic and individualized response versus a template … [Read more...] about On Querying Agents: What’s a Personalized Rejection?
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Don’t Despair When Your Agent Leaves the Business
When your agent leaves the business, what do you do? In June I wrote my friend and YA author Gordon Jack when I was in the bluest, most Anne Shirley depths of despair. “My agent is leaving the business,” I said, feeling as if I were delivering the worst and most shameful of … [Read more...] about Don’t Despair When Your Agent Leaves the Business
What’s Behind Your Query Letter?
“Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!” Remember that famous line from Professor Marvel while he scrambles in his hidden cubby to yank levers and work a mic that make the big and scary Wizard of Oz bellow? In the world of Authors Ready to Query, … [Read more...] about What’s Behind Your Query Letter?
How a Query Can Help You Write Your Novel
When I headed to the Chicago Writing Workshop to pitch agents, you can bet I brought my best boots, a big smile, and a query letter--polished to a high shine. Better than that, I had a complete manuscript. The complete manuscript came courtesy of years of hard work and several … [Read more...] about How a Query Can Help You Write Your Novel