I know, so very sad isn't it? No need to miss me though. I plan on using the extra time to also get around to visiting those of you I've been neglecting a little bit.
I've officially decided--as of last night-- that I'm going to put my querying on hold until AFTER the first of the year. It's a tough decision, because I hate sitting on a finished manuscript. There's a paranoid little voice inside my head whispering "You know someone else is going to query your dream agent with a manuscript nearly identical to yours while you wait, don't you?" But I'm trying my best to ignore that voice. I figure I've been ignoring the others in there, why not this one too.
Truth is, there are too many agents who are already shutting down for the holidays. And those who aren't are probably less likely to be digging through their slush piles with much enthusiasm for finding a diamond in the rough. I'm probably better off continuing to tweak my query until it sings (read that to mean, there will probably be a few critique posts around here in the coming weeks) and not have my holidays sidelined by the stress of avoiding my inbox & potential rejection I may find there.
I've already given Gemini Curse this much of my life...what's another six weeks, right?
In the meantime, hope you all have a Happy & Wonderful Thanksgiving this Thursday. Remember, be good to each other!!
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16 witty remarks:
Er, sorry to reactivate your voice, but I got a full ms request last year two days before Christmas :o)
I think you've made a wise decision, even in spite of what Jess says! LOL. This way you'll have some time to hear back on the queries you've already sent, and then you'll have a better idea about whether you need to change anything.
I think I'd be glued to my inbox and forget to enjoy the holidays... Hope yours is great!
I agree with you. I've put my querying on hold until after the holidays. I'm reworking my first chapter so that I can resend my requested full within the next week or two (since I know the agent won't be looking at the other version for another couple of months), but everything else is waiting until the New Year. Besides, who wants rejections during Christmas. I have one friend who received one boxing day last year.
Hey! Dropping in from Lola's blog... So dogs and cats. Hmm... :D As for querying during the holidays, I think it's a 50-50 thing. Last year, I queried straight through. This year, I'm waiting to hear back ... and I wait... and I wait...
Enjoy the holiday~ :o)
First, the picture with the dog and cat is hilarious! That cat's face says it all.
As for the query pause...I think you have to follow your gut, and clearly your gut is telling you to hold off and do some more polishing. And to enjoy your holidays. :)
Also, I loves me some Starbucks too...and you. :)
Happy Thanksgiving my friend.
Love,
Lola
Enjoy the holiday!
I'm doing the same as you -- holding off on querying until January. But then, if we're all doing that, won't agents be flooded with queries at that time? Oh well. *Shrug* I don't think there's such a thing as the perfect time to query. Writers get offers of representation all year round. Wishing you good luck! Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanks, All!!
I should clarify, when I was mentioned agents already closing for queries, I was speaking of several that I'd specifically targeted. I know, I could keep going & be perfectly fine...but I think for my piece of mind and less confusion, I'll hold off until the New Year.
I'm doing the same, Tracy. Last night (or, this morning for you guys) Jessica Faust recommended waiting until mid Jan on #askagent. In the meantime I'm sending my MS to a freelance editor, so I'll be able to work on her suggestions over the holidays and dive into querying with some confidence in the New Year. Hopefully! :)
I'm with you. Hell, I'm always looking for a reason to hold off on querying! ;)
Happy Thanksgiving.
I figured in for a penny, in for a pound. I had three out with a full request and decided as agents were closing down for the holidays, I sent out ten more. I know they won't get back to me before January so I can work on my other books and maybe will have another ready to go by Jan.
Happy Thanksgiving.
AAaaaack, I have that same querying fear. But there's nothing to be done about it.
I may query in the new year too, if I can finish my MS.
Happy Thanksgiving!!!!
Hi Tracy, first time visitor ... best wishes with the querying and your MS. I'm going to wait until after the holidays to begin querying again. Its a crazy time of year to try to get anything done like this IMHO.
I'm doing the same thing as well. I'm just going to use December to get all of my ducks in a row - what does that saying even mean.
I don't think it's a bad idea at all. We sometimes tend to overthink things of that nature, when in fact we do have much more flexibility than we think, and ultimately there's no right answer--only what feels right. Kudos on your decision!
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