So far my last query blitz has resulted in:
2 full requests
3 partial requests
4 rejections
plus about 12 queries outstanding
All the responses came back within five days max. I’m wondering if that’s the way of things. Do agents tend to respond right away if they’re semi-interested and the non-responses are either waiting to be rejected or no response = not interested.
Anyway, I’m quite pleased. This is the first time my requests have outnumbered my rejections, at least for now. And of course, I’m trying to guess what tipped the scales. Is the new opening working better? Do the contest finals I listed actually make a difference? Or is the snazzy new blurb just a tad bit catchier?
You just can’t take the scientist out of me.
Jan 28, 2009 @ 14:57:57
Congratulations! Those responses do seem very quick. Were the email queries or snail mail queries?
I need to gear up and do that kind of blitz, but first I want to finish some intensive editing. On the upside, I do currently have a partial out. Realistically, I know I need to be ready to send out more queries. Nobody sells on their second query.
Best of luck!
http://abouttothunder.wordpress.com
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Jan 28, 2009 @ 21:02:51
Thanks for the pick me up “thunder”. This is actually my third round of querying with this novel. I’ve probably sent about 40 query letters total — and that’s not even that many. One day I’ll blog about what changes I made each round, because I do think I’m starting to get better responses and it will help me to reflect on the process.
Good luck with your partial. You never know what will happen. All it takes is one agent who loves your work.
Jan 28, 2009 @ 21:16:22
Oh, I got carried away and didn’t answer the question…these were all e-queries. I plan to send out a round of snail mail this weekend. 🙂
I live by querytracker for figuring out expected response times for agents:
http://www.querytracker.net