Okay, so here it goes. I am getting ready to send my novel out, Jealousy Kills, and I am scared, nervous, and excited all at the same time. This is my first try sending to agents and I guess what I am looking for are some words of encouragment. Wish me luck, too. If you haven't done so already, you could help me out by reading my 3rd and 4th query attempts and letting me know any additional details you feel I should be aware of. It would also help if you read the first chapter of my novel and let me know your thoughts on it. We could trade if you like, but anything you have to say, I can use, and it would really help me out. Thank you all. =)
Posted by Meredith (Member # 8368) on :
Best of luck. It's been a little over a year since I took my first shaky steps out into that scary world.
Posted by walexander (Member # 9151) on :
Just like swimming, don't think about the temperature, just dive right in.
W.
**I'm finishing axe's short story, but you can send me chap 1 and I'll give you my limited thoughts if you want.
Posted by MikeL (Member # 9138) on :
Congrats.
You are one major step closer to being published. No matter what happens you can always do it again. That is the key. You have gotten this far with tremendous effort, you have learned much and probably grown a lot. Now it's time to grow some more. You have to except the success or rejections as they come. Then do it again. This, it seems, is what we all do in life. Accept rejections then some success, more rejections, then some more success. Two steps forward one step back.
Good luck my friend. Job well done.
Posted by SteveR (Member # 9128) on :
Wishing you the best. When my wife and I were looking for an agent, we sent ten packages, each tailored to the specific agent's wants/needs. We got three nibbles and two requests for full manuscript and finally landed an agent after about a year of trying. Getting a good agent can be as difficult as selling to a publisher, so try not to get down when the first salvo of rejections arrive. They're badges of honor. Persistence does not guarantee success, but without it you can pretty much guarantee failure.
Posted by XD3V0NX on :
Thank you all. I understand this, and a few--or even a lot--of rejections won't get me down much. I just keep going with it, and it's not even all for getting published. I write because I enjoy it. It will be nice When I see my books on the shelves in Barnes and Nobels or Books-a-Million (I feel more comfortable when I say "When" or "Will". It's better than saying "If". When you say "If I get published", you are setting yourself up already for half-failing, but that's my belief). But, until then, I'll just write and get better. I've already been gathering up ideas every day for my new book, which I will be starting in a few days. I'm excited for that, too. Anyway, I appreciate all the helpful advice.
Thank you. =]
Posted by Meredith (Member # 8368) on :
If you aren't already doing so, start following the Query Shark .
Posted by XD3V0NX on :
Yes, I just went to query shark. I think it would be to my best interest if I read all the queries on there before I start sending out.
Thanks, Meridith. I actually planned on going on Query Shark today, to check it out, but it slipped my mind. You reminded me of getting on there.