Comments on: FAQ: What Do You Look for in a Query?

By: Miss Britt

Miss Britt — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:25:17 +0000

As a blogger, it doesn’t surprise me to hear how many queries you get. We’re all wannabe writers, and it can be intimidating to know how many of us are chasing after the same prize.

By: Linda Rue

Linda Rue — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:58:42 +0000

A week ago, if I had read about the sheer number that you would have had to plow through to even reach a query submitted by me, resignation, fear and more defeat would have continued to empact my life. However, I am a newbie to this site, loving it by the way, and just finished Grace Fox’s book, “Moving from Fear to Freedom” and I know that regardless of the numbers, God gives the inspiration, the topic and holds the outcome in His hands, using your talents and abilities in a marvelous way. So, when my book is done, I will be respectfully joining the masses who want your representation and your wisdom! Happy reading everybody!!

By: BJ Hamrick

BJ Hamrick — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:11:08 +0000

Wow. What else is there to say? You guys rock.

By: Alicia Muhlestein

Alicia Muhlestein — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:26:03 +0000

The volume of queries out there is staggering. And multiply that by the number of agents! There are a whole lot of words out there. I have a new appreciation for the time agents put into reading and contemplating each writer’s query. It’s fabulous that you work as a tight team and can share thoughts around the board.

Side note- I love your “What We’re Reading” widget. Makes finding that gem to read much easier.

By: Bethany Neal

Bethany Neal — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:58:57 +0000

Wow, kudos to you all for reading query after query. It must be tough not to glaze over and let the good stuff fall through the cracks.

Happy reading

By: Megan LaFollett

Megan LaFollett — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:41:17 +0000

It is so easy to feel overwhelmed and awed by the number of people out there writing books (or, at least, queries)! When I feel discouraged about trying to stand out in the crowd, I recall this quote from CS Lewis:

“Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it.”

And then I just keep writing.

By: Janet Grant

Janet Grant — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:09:09 +0000

Writers are astounded when they hear the number of queries we handle on a regular basis. But never fear, if you’ve written something unique with a strong voice, there’s room for your work.

By: Lynn Dean

Lynn Dean — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:39:43 +0000

At first I was surprised at the volume of queries you get, but think of how often someone says, “Oh, I’ve always wanted to be a writer.” If even a small percentage of them sent out a query letter, it would add up quickly. Lots of people like to draw or jog or sing, too, and draw great personal satisfaction from it, but to become a professional artist, athlete, or musician–that takes enormous dedication and a spark of ‘something special.’ The spark may be up to God, but we can control the dedication we bring to learning the process. That’s encouraging!

By: Genny

Genny — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:49:37 +0000

Thanks for this peek inside your agency! It’s amazing to me how many queries you all read. Wow.

By: Gina

Gina — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:59:54 +0000

Wow – that is a lot of queries. I have to say that it does discourage me a little to know that there are that many people out there writing. I am pretty sure that nobody has written a book about the subject matter that I am writing about but it does worry me that I will not be able to find an agent.