Well, I went to this meeting of the local chapter of the California Writer's Club last night. The speaker was an agent for a local agency. The agency had actually been recommended to me about a year ago by a published writer, but they don't take unsolicited queries except under certain conditions. One of those conditions is that they meet you at a conference and request the manuscript.
Long story short(er), I took a chance and emailed a query today on the strength of the club meeting. I mean, what's the worst that could happen? I've had rejections before.
I braced myself when I saw the return email in my inbox. I've seen that before and it's always been the same. Not this time. She actually asked to see the first three chapters. I can't say she sounded wildly enthusiastic, but she did ask for more. She did say it would depend on the writing and the characters.
I just finished giving those chapters a quick once over. Tomorrow, I'm going to change my ink cartridge and print out the first three chapters of BLOOD WILL TELL. I'm sure I need to write a short cover letter, too. It probably doesn't need to say much more than "Here are the requested chapters" and "Thank you".
Woo! This is a first.
Posted by andersonmcdonald (Member # 8641) on :
Sounds great! Best of luck!
Posted by genevive42 (Member # 8714) on :
I wish you super good luck with this, Meredith. Way to go!
Posted by Crank (Member # 7354) on :
That's a great move forward! Congrats, and here's to continuing success!
S! S!
Posted by Kitti (Member # 7277) on :
Congratulations!
Posted by sjsampson (Member # 8075) on :
Congrats and good luck!
Posted by JamieFord (Member # 3112) on :
Sweet! Congrats!
Be sure to write "Requested Materials" on the envelope so it doesn't get lost in the slush. And since your query is working, keep querying.
Posted by Meredith (Member # 8368) on :
quote:Be sure to write "Requested Materials" on the envelope so it doesn't get lost in the slush.
Thanks for the tip.
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
You have a synopsis ready in case she asks for that next, right?
Posted by Meredith (Member # 8368) on :
quote:You have a synopsis ready in case she asks for that next, right?
Yep. Fingers crossed, although I'd rather she asked for more of the ms. I have a two-page synopsis. Fortunately, because those things take more than a day or two to write.
Posted by Owasm (Member # 8501) on :
That's great news, Meredith. Congratulations.
Posted by LAJD (Member # 8070) on :
Wow! congratulations Meredith! That's super news, keep us posted. Leslie
Posted by satate (Member # 8082) on :
Yay for Meredith!
Posted by Meredith (Member # 8368) on :
Thanks. It's been sent. Now it's just wait and see some more. There seems to be a lot of that in this writing business.
Posted by Pyre Dynasty (Member # 1947) on :
Happy dance. I need to get better at networking.
Posted by Meredith (Member # 8368) on :
quote:Happy dance. I need to get better at networking.
Thanks. Believe me, you cannot possibly be worse at networking than I am. It just isn't possible. But desperation can be a pretty good teacher.
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
Congrats!
Posted by MartinV (Member # 5512) on :
Good luck, Meredith.
Posted by Pyre Dynasty (Member # 1947) on :
Oh you beat me at "I went to this meeting."
Posted by Meredith (Member # 8368) on :
quote:Oh you beat me at "I went to this meeting."
Okay, well you do kind of have to do that much at least.
Posted by Meredith (Member # 8368) on :
Well, as of tomorrow, it will be five weeks and I haven't heard anything. Is this usual? I don't know what kind of time frame I should expect. Should I just wait and hope? Should I send a polite note to make sure that she got it? If so, what should it say?
(Ashamed to admit it, but despite Jamie Ford's good advice, I forgot to write "Requested Materials" on the envelope. I was making myself too crazy making sure I had everything right in the envelope. )
[This message has been edited by Meredith (edited June 08, 2010).]
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