Category Archives: Querying

Writer’s Angst

Posted on August 20, 2012 by

One of the things that has surprised me about the steps involved in getting published is how angst-ridden the whole process is. Waiting for responses to query letters is anxiety-provoking and often heart-breaking. I think we all imagine that if … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Editors, Getting Published, Querying | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

The Beggar’s Opera, Early Rejections

Posted on January 13, 2012 by

I thought I’d post some of the rejections I received for The Beggar’s Opera before it was shortlisted for the CWA Debut Dagger Award. The first agent I queried asked  for a two week exclusive. At the end of that reading period, … Continue reading →

Posted in Dealing with rejection, Querying, Revisions | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

And this would be how NOT to query …

Posted on August 15, 2011 by

According to this story in the Associated Press,  last Thursday, a writer who had been ‘pestering’ a literary agent left behind a screenplay in a computer at his office. The agent called the police. They called in the bomb squad. I sure hope … Continue reading →

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So when should you stop querying?

Posted on August 10, 2011 by

According to this article in today’s Ottawa Citizen , failing at something can affect your health. At what point should you give up? It suggests when the goal is not achievable. “It’s actually possible that quitting can be associated with better … Continue reading →

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Tips on Finding an Agent

Posted on May 19, 2011 by

I’ve had a lot of people ask me how they can find a literary agent. I had no offers of representation until I read New York super-agent Donald Maas’s two great books on writing a bestseller: The Fire in Fiction, and Writing … Continue reading →

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And yet another agent’s 2010 statistics

Posted on May 6, 2011 by

These are literary agent Janet Reid’s numbers, dating back only to the summer. She doesn’t give query totals but says she requested 124 full manuscripts. Two got an offer; she referred nine to other agents and two additional candidates for representation found … Continue reading →

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Why selling a house is a lot like selling a book

Posted on March 26, 2011 by

I’m trying to think of how many times I’ve had a friend or colleague forward me a piece of fiction they’ve written and ask for feedback. Decades ago, it was one of my professors who asked me to review a … Continue reading →

Posted in Getting Published, Querying | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

How many queries should you submit?

Posted on January 22, 2011 by

I was asked this question frequently this week, after my story circulated in the media. I suppose the answer is, keep going, ’until you find representation,’ or ‘until you give up.’ I tried the contest route. For me, that worked. If it … Continue reading →

Posted in Dealing with rejection, Querying, Revisions | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments