5 TIPS FOR HELPING YOU PREPARE FOR QUERYING

 

When January provided me with an opportunity to begin my search for a new agent, I decided to streamline my querying process. The path to publication is challenging enough without my taking a hodge-podge attitude toward the journey itself. With that in mind, I have developed a system I hope increases my chances of winning the coveted agent representation and I'd like to share my five tips with you...

TIP ONE: ARRANGE YOUR STORIES

All of my stories go through a number of phases before I feel they are ready for submitting. Butterflies are part of my STORY CATCHER logo so of course when I came across these folders, I grabbed every one I could find. I write picture books, chapter books, and young adult novels. Each folder has a hard copy of my story, any critiques I might have received from helpful sources like RATE YOUR STORY (http://rateyourstory.blogspot.com/), critique partners, and any other professional critiques I might have received. If I want to work on a particular story away from my computer, I just grab that folder and take it with me.

 

TIP TWO: CORRAL YOUR POLISHED MANUSCRIPTS 

Once I have polished my manuscripts to the best of my ability, (and thanked all who have assisted in that buffing...;~), I print off a hard copy and store in paper protector sheets in this decorated folder. I also set up a folder on my computer desktop of finished manuscripts. That way, if I need to fax or email a story to someone, I have it right at my fingertips.

 

TIP THREE: GATHER MY WRITERLY RESOURCES

There are so many good resources for writers these days and I would encourage anyone serious about writing for children as a career to join the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators (www.scbwi.org) and other professional organizations. I keep my SCBWI catalogs handy and make copies of articles to which I need to pay special attention. Yes, I have another decorated folder I keep all of those articles in so I can refer back to them as necessary.

 

TIP FOUR: RESEARCH AGENTS & PUBLISHERS

Now comes the time to start my research on agents and publishers. I recently found out there are currently about 1100 agents in the US and probably just as many publishers. Does that mean every single one of them are right for my stories? Of course not. That is why I must do my due diligence and vet any agency or publishing house I decide to put on my short list. Nothing will scream AMATEUR faster than sending a manuscript to an agent or publisher who doesn't actually represent that type of story. My journal book lists agents and publishing houses along with contact info, website and email addresses. I code each one as to the round I will send my query letters to them so I can keep track of where my stories are going.

 

 

TIP FIVE: POST A PRETTY CORK BOARD

Now that I have polished manuscripts, a list of agents & publishers interested in my types of stories, and a plan on who to query first, I will send out my first round of query letters to 6-8 of my top choice agents.  I will create a spreadsheet for my submissions and pin it up on my pretty little cork board so I be able to follow up (and hopefully eventually schedule the all important CALL).

Publishing is such a challenging, thrilling, sometimes frustratingly slow process.  A writer has to have a fairly thick skin to survive in this industry. It helps me to keep my sanity to be as organized as possible where my writing is concerned. I might have to exercise a lot of patience during this process in finding a new agent, but I might as well enjoy it as much as I can by surrounding myself with all the pretty folders, journals, and cork boards I can find!

 

3 MISTAKES TO AVOID WHEN SENDING QUERY LETTERS

Now that everyone is back from their holiday celebrations, agents will start seeing an increase in their submission stacks.  If you have been working hard to get your manuscript ready, you might want to take a moment to make sure you don't make any of these common mistakes when querying agents...

1. DEAR EDITOR OR TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

Whether you are submitting your manuscript to an agency or directly to a publisher, you want to make sure you address your query to the correct person. Take time to check out the submissions guidelines on their websites. Check out the websites of the authors working with these companies to determine an actual contact name to attach to your query. Statistics show people LOVE hearing their names and taking the time to address your query letter to the right person instead of simply tacking a "to whom it may concern" or a "dear editor" as a header to your query will show the person considering your manuscript that you are a professional who did their homework.

2. I WROTE A YOUNG ADULT, HIGH FANTASY MEDIEVAL HISTORICAL FICTION MYSTERY LOVE STORY ADVENTURE QUEST

There is nothing that will make an editor or publisher's head spin faster than a writer who can't decide what they've actually written. How can you submit to the correct person if you don't know what you wrote? Your manuscript might have elements from different genres, but you need to decide what is the MAIN focus of your story line. There will be people out there who cover a variety of genres but as a writer, your manuscript identification can't be convoluted. If you're not sure, have your critique group or some beta readers help you to identify exactly WHAT you wrote before sending out that query letter.

3.  I KNOW YOU'RE CLOSED TO SUBMISSIONS, BUT YOU'LL WANT TO READ MY BEST SELLING MANUSCRIPT

Agents and publishers LOVE discovering heart stopping, page turning manuscripts. What they DON'T like are writers who try to force their manuscripts on them without having enough respect for the querying process. Make sure to check their guidelines first to see if they are currently accepting submissions. This would also be a good time to make sure you are sending your query to the right individual.

As a writer, you've poured your heart and soul into your story. Now make sure you give it the best chance of being requested by an agent or publisher by avoiding some common mistakes on the road to publication.

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I hope you learned something new today and be sure to check back tomorrow for the next post in my month long celebration!

Blurb:

Addie comes from a long line of readers, or “story catchers,” as her family likes to call themselves. Every time Addie tries to catch a story on her own, though, the words play tricks on her. Addie tries everything she can think of to corral those wiggly letters, but it  will take a little faith to become the next STORY CATCHER.

Buy Links:

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THE STORY CATCHER FAN CLUB: 

 

Fan club membership includes:

 

Membership Certificate

Bi-monthly Newsletter full of mazes, puzzles, games, news and other goodies

Reading log for earning Story Catcher Award

Short story starring YOU!

http://donasdays.blogspot.com/p/story-catcher-fan-club.html

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