A while back I had a conversation about getting traditionally published with an aspiring writer.
“I’ve sent out several queries already,” she told me. “And although everyone has passed, the rejections were kind.”
Thank goodness for that, I thought. They aren’t always. “Tell me a bit about your book.”
“Well, it’s a multi-genre, 200,000 word novel that’s kind of hard to describe.”
Gulp.
One of the things that I frequently encounter working with yet-to-be-published authors is a sense of urgency. Everyone (myself included) wants to fast-track the process, skipping over the hard parts in order to get to the good bits: securing an agent, getting a publishing contract, and seeing that beautiful book on a shelf. I get it, I truly do. But sending out your query letter (arguably one of the most important steps in your publishing journey) too soon is a mistake that could close doors instead of opening them.
Consider it this way. You would never invite a guest over for dinner and then serve her half-cooked pasta and lukewarm bolognese. In the same way, though you may have all the ingredients of a blockbuster, if they are not fully prepared and ready to be shared, you may be hurting your own chances of securing an agent.
So, what do you need to do before you query?
Let me preface this list by saying that it’s neither exhaustive nor set in stone. Individual circumstances will of course affect how and when you query! But here are five important things to keep in mind as you approach this step in your writing journey.
Write your book. Yes the whole thing. During this process, make sure that you are in a state of constant learning, development, and growth. Read books on craft, attend retreats, connect with other writers, and hone your art. Join a critique group and get feedback on your work. Be ready and willing to edit, revise, and then edit again. And while you’re at it, make sure that your book adheres to industry standards for the genre you’re writing. This Writer’s Digest article about book length is excellent and a good place to start. (Spoiler alert: anything over 110K—especially for a debut—is too long.)
Edit your book. My favorite part of the process! They clay is on the wheel and now you get to shape it into something beautiful. I recommend putting your book away for as long as you can stand it (at least one week, but a month would be grand). Then, come back to it with fresh eyes and be ready to get messy. Intuitive Editing by Tiffany Yates Martin is an great resource for self-editing, but it might be helpful to consider having someone else take a look at your work, too. You don’t necessarily have to spend thousands of dollars. You could trade editing services with a fellow writer, reach out to a former teacher or friend (though they do deserve to be compensated fairly for their work), or start with a “first 50 pages” edit just to see what kind of shape your manuscript is in. This might be hard to hear, but you cannot accurately see your own work.
Identify comparative (comp) titles. What published books are similar to yours? Agents and editors want to know where your book fits in the canon of contemporary literature so they can determine how best to sell it and what markets to target. Pick current, recognizable titles that truly have something in common with your book, and avoid blockbuster bestsellers. Your YA fantasy might have some similarities with Harry Potter, but it’s not a good or fair comparison. Shoot for two to three solid comp titles, and understand that if nothing compares to your book, you have a problem on your hands. Could it be brilliantly nonconformist and the next big trend in publishing? Possibly...? But it’s more likely that if you don’t know where your book fits, agents and editors will simply pass.
Nail your logline. A logline is: protagonist + inciting incident + goal + central conflict. You can also call this your elevator pitch or two-sentence summary. Basically, it’s your book in a quick, gripping blurb. Why does this matter? Because you never get a second chance to make a first impression, and your logline will be a part of your query. Also, when someone asks you about your book, the last thing you want to say is: “Well, it’s kind of hard to describe.” Take your time with this step. Make your logline shine! Here’s mine for my upcoming novel, A Theory of Infinite Worlds (it’s still a work in progress—both the logline and the book!):
When a newlywed English professor is left stranded at her astronomer husband’s remote mountain compound after he fails to return from a conference, her world is upended. With a winter storm bearing down, and the sudden, shocking appearance of two strangers, she must fight not only for her survival, but also for the man who’s promised her the stars.
Create an online presence. Ugh, right? I know this is a hot topic right now (check out this buzzy article on Vox if you haven’t already), but the truth is, having an audience (following, friends, whatever you want to call it) matters. You will be asked about what social media platforms you are on and how many people you reach. You’ll have to provide info about your email database and any contacts you might have with professionals or industries that tie into your book. In short, the point of publishing a book is selling that book, and everyone connected to the process wants to know what you bring to the table. I think there are ways to do this with integrity and grace (and I’ll address this in subsequent articles), but for now, find an online hub where you feel comfortable (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Threads, etc.) and start following, liking, sharing, and commenting on the posts of people in the industry you admire. Elevating other people’s work is a good way to start figuring who you are and who you want to be online.
Have you noticed that we’re five steps in and haven’t even made it to the “write the query letter” part? Believe it or not, we still have five more steps to go! Join me next week as we complete the process and ensure you are confident and putting your very best foot forward when you begin to query agents.
This is the first and only free article for February, friends. I so hope you’ll consider joining The Write Thing community! At the end of this month members will have the opportunity to ask questions and participate in a live Zoom conversation about anything and everything that’s on your mind. And I’d like to thank my paying subscribers by highlighting some of the kind words they shared when they decided to contribute to The Write Thing. Thank you for being here. I hope this community is a place where you feel welcome and grow in your art.
Happy writing! xoxo - Nicole
