My Querying Journey by the Numbers
Folks might remember that great classic rock band who wrote, “What a long, strange trip it’s been.” That could probably describe the journey of any writer during their time in the query trenches. And if your querying journey was (is) like mine, you would probably add “hard,” “anxiety-producing,” and “patience-testing” to the list of descriptors.
In 2022, I wrote about what it was like to be in the midst of querying. And now, nearly 1,000 days after sending my first query, my time in the trenches is over.
I am so incredibly grateful to join the wonderful group of authors at Gold Dust Publishing. While the excitement of signing a deal is still fresh, I want to take a moment and look back on my journey to get here. I looked at my spreadsheet, and here is my querying journey by the numbers:
Started querying: March 2, 2022
First query rejection: March 30, 2022
Total queries sent: 157
Total rejections: 110
Quickest rejection: 2 hours
Total Did Not Reply: 45
Longest outstanding query: 281 days
Full Requests: 7 (ish)
Partial Requests: 1 (30k words)
Twitter Pitch Events: 5-ish
Writing Conferences: 3
Offers: 2
Accepted: 1
Time between first query and offer I accepted: 972 days
I know others had a shorter road to publication. And I am sure there are some who have waited longer. But as everyone always says, it just takes one yes.
I am sure I will have more thoughts and reflections in the coming months, and I hope I can use my experience to help others who are looking to get published. At the moment, the one piece of advice that comes to mind: If you are able, go to a writing conference. Not only is it an incredible place to meet fellow writers, but it’s a great place to learn more about how to pitch agents and publishers. And to pitch folks in person, which I found to be a gazillion times better than query letters.
As one who spent years in the query trenches, I wholeheartedly encourage and support those writers still looking for that “yes.” Know that you have someone here cheering for you and hoping that you will bring your book into the world for all of us to read. And keep going after that first, fiftieth, and even hundredth rejection. Because that elusive “yes” could be just around the corner.
