Once Upon a Query

Written By Erica Mae

The Query Process.


The query process is stressful, nerve-racking, fun, and oh, did I mention stressful? It’s an exciting time when an author gets to pitch their beloved, completed manuscript to an agent with the hope of securing a partner in their book publishing journey. I’ve been querying for five years with a handful of novels. One book was picked up by a boutique publisher, one is on my to-do list to be rewritten, another is resting in my desk drawer to arise another day, and the rest are in the query trenches.

If you’ve never heard of a query, here’s a quick summary: a query is a one-page letter used to sell your book to the agent. Think of a 350ish-word proposal of your entire book (that’s right 75-95K+ words summed up in a one-page pitch) including main character(s), plot, and stakes. Oh, plus an introduction, recent comp titles, and a bio. Easy, right? Phew… not quite.

A week ago, I booked a consultation with an agent at the Manuscript Academy to review the first ten pages and associated query for Book One of my Scottish Stars Romance Series. If you’re not a part of the Manuscript Academy and you’re a writer, check it out—it’s a very happy, welcoming place for writers. My most favorite part about the Academy is getting to speak to an agent one-on-one. Something, I’d never been able to do before.

Now, back to the agent consultation. The agent loved my pages and clear, character distinctions, and she also noted that my query was solid including spot-on with comps, though she suggested I remove the third comp title, which was a self-published book (note to self: do not add self-published book comps when querying for traditional publishing). But then…then she said she would’ve passed, even though she liked my pages, due to my query.

Why? Didn’t she say the query was solid?

Exactly. Why?

When she told me she would’ve passed on my book, my heart fell. My books are like my other babies—carefully created and nurtured for months to a year and even longer. This particular book brought me out of depression during a very rough patch of marriage and homelife, while my husband recovered (and continues to recover) from his brain injury. This book took me on an adventure to Scotland, helped me learn more about myself as a woman, mother, and writer, and also helped me retreat into another world when needed. And this book baby deserves to see the sunlight and be in the hands of millions of readers.

So, why isn’t it yet? That is exactly what this agent summed up for me a week ago. (I’d also like to note that I had this query reviewed by other agents at the Manuscript Academy who said it was well done, but I had an inkling that something was missing especially with query rejections rolling in.) To the most recent agent, my query reminded her of a familiar trope: a second chance romance with a divorcee who travels to a foreign country and meets a hot guy with an accent, falls in love, and ta-da, happily ever after. But my book is SO much more. And that was the problem. The more, the uniqueness, the sparkle that separates my book from the slush pile wasn’t evident. Not good.

So, what to do? Get to work and make my query shine.

Why? Because my book will bring more love into the world and allow readers to imagine their own, unique happily ever after. I was reminded of that fact by a single mom beta reader, critique partners, and my lovely, supportive mother (I love you all!). So, I got to work. I opened my current query, saved a draft, and began the revision. I revised the query again and again—diving into each paragraph from intro to plot to bio rewriting and adding more unique details. Then, I began trimming and cutting. Once I was happy with the current revision, I sent the query to two of my critique partners for feedback.

Next, I reached out on Twitter using the #amquerying and #momswritersclub hashtags to ask if anyone would be interested in a query exchange for further feedback. Almost immediately, three authors in my genre responded from two different states and Australia.

I took a chance and exchanged my query. The result: extra feedback, fresh eyes, and a chance to help other authors. I always find that when helping someone else, I learn about my own writing as well. And that’s what happened—good karma, plus insight and the added bonus of new author friends. After a few days of query exchanges and countless drafts later, I had my polished query ready.

But was it agent ready?

Suddenly, I remembered I had an extra membership coupon code for a one-page consultation with an agent at the Manuscript Academy. With the last agent on my mind, I searched the consultations page. And, guess what? The same agent had a consultation appointment available the very next day. I scheduled and spoke with her for ten minutes about my query. She was impressed with the updated query, how polished it was, and noted the uniqueness of my story. She also said I could make it even stronger with one final suggestion.

So, what did I do? I went back to my query and revised the last two lines. I’m so happy with the final, revised query. I can’t wait to begin querying agents again!

Here are a few tid-bits that I’ve learned over the last 5 years of querying:

  • Discuss your query with critique partners. If you don't have a critique partner, network with fellow authors in your genre on socials or request a critique parter(s) via your genre association such as RWA or WFWA.

  • Don’t be afraid of constructive criticism. There’s a reason it’s constructive—you can build from the advice/feedback.

  • Never be afraid to revise.

  • Remember with all the help from others to keep your voice and your story at the forefront. You know your story the best.

  • You CAN do it. You finished a novel. Do you know how many people try and never finish? Millions…according to something I’ve read, so now YOU get to sell it. So, I repeat: you CAN do this. You CAN write an amazing query.

Lastly, remember the query process is a process, so revise, take a deep breath, and have fun because one day, you can say, ‘Once upon a time, I queried x agent and _______!’

For more information on querying, I’ve included some helpful websites, blogs, and author YouTube videos.

Happy querying!

With love,

Erica Mae
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