Tuesday, January 14, 2014

…Done?

Could it be? COLLAPSE has been outlined, edited for repetition/unnecessary words, read aloud and read by beta readers. I have got two different versions of a query, a synopsis, and I’ve edited them all twice. This is as good as it’s going to get. I think.

I always get nervous when I finish a book, because I know there is nothing left to do but query, and that makes me want to curl into a ball and rock back and forth murmuring nonsense. I believe in my book. I think it’s good. But as to whether it’s good enough…

Let’s just say self-confidence isn’t my strong suit.

I’ve submitted other books and, sadly, all have been rejected. But I felt equally as proud of them and believed in each one just as much as the last. I’d like to say this one is better because I worked a lot harder on editing, but…well, it’s that self-confidence thing again. What do I do if no one likes it? Do I write something else or keep editing? Is it my writing style or my story or my characters or the query or my everything?

Yes, I work myself up into a nice little panic. It never stops me from trying, though.


I better go edit my query again.

Do any of you have any good query stories and/or advice for querying? Want to beta read a query for me? What about you self-pub people? Any thoughts on going the Indie route?

7 comments:

  1. I'd be happy to look over your query for you!

    But once you have the query ready, just do it. And then:

    #1 Work on another project while you wait.

    However, regarding the project you are querying, do this as well:

    #2. If you get no requests from the query, change the query. Find a different way to present a hook for your book. Approach it from a different angle.

    #3. If you get requests, but then rejection with any sort of feedback, revise your manuscript based on that feedback. (When I was querying, I got feedback on voice in the first chapter and on a sagging middle of the book.) I kept revising on this points while I queried the next round of agents.

    And of course,

    #4. If you get an offer, you are going to need other projects to submit to your new agent later on, so back to #1 -- work on new projects!

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  2. *these points*

    Sigh. I actually proof-read my comment before hitting "publish" but it didn't jump out at me until the post appeared.

    *need more coffee*

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  3. Don't overthink it. Start querying and see what happens.

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  4. "Good enough" is not valid when querying. At all. Good and querying do not belong in the same sentence. It's just timing and luck.
    See, this is the part of life that's out to get you and already has you in its evil trap.

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  5. Good luck.

    If you want someone to look over your query, my peeps at Unicorn Bell now do a week of queries. I think the next one is Feb. 3rd, but you can submit it now to get it in the queue.

    Much of it is timing. Trust that your query will find the right person at the right time. Believe it. then it'll have to happen.

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  6. Remember the comps -- comparisons to other works in the genre. This does not mean you have the same writing style, but that people who bought this other book would like your book. Also, include what you do for a living, even if it's unrelated to the subject of the novel. They want to know you're not just a bum living in your parents' garage. (If you are a bum living in your parents' garage, mention what you're studying.)

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  7. I went indie myself... because I like the idea of control over my work. Still, looks like you're getting good advice here.

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Please validate me.