Or testing agents diminishes them, the way writers are diminished routinely. Default agent response to a query being, 4-6 weeks wait time then you may or may not get a form letter. If you hear nothing by 2 months, assume we're not interested. That's kind of demeaning to writers too, don't you think? Testing an idea on an agent, they like it and ask for more---then they wait 4-6 weeks for the full manuscript like we would wait for a form letter. All of this being said, I've never used an agent as a 'testing ground' if I query, the book is ready. But it does make a writer feel kind of demeaned to be treated so flippantly by agents. So while I would never do that to someone, I can understand the sentiment.
The question I have in relation to one of the early comments Jessica made is how do I know if the market has passed my book by? So, for example, Jessica made reference to a story that she was interested in and requested, but the author hadn't finished the work and so didn't send the query until four years later. Because the querying process can take a long time, there are plenty of people who have been querying the same book for 2 years, sometimes more. Should those people just assume that book is no longer market relevant? 2 years isn't actually that long in the publishing world (measuring from starting querying to book release), so it feels to many of us like querying the same manuscript for 3 or 4 years is reasonable but Jessica's story implies it isn't. Just trying to get some clarity on how to be mindful and realistic about the querying process. :) Thanks for the great content!
This is an incredible question, thank you. Unfortunately, it's not an easy thing to do, but we always suggest watching current deal announcements in the Publisher's Weekly email newsletters, or Publisher's Marketplace if you have a subscription.
I'm pretty sure there is no way to know if the market is or is not going to pass you by, by the time you're done writing, revising, and querying. That would mean being able to predict the future, and nobody can do that, that I know of. (Maybe hire a medium? I don't know! :D ) Writing is definitely a crap-shoot. But it's also a long game. Your story might miss its market this year, but the market is always changing. Hang onto everything you write - you never know when it might suddenly become the Flavor of the Month!
perhaps I was interpreting the topic too literally, but are there specific times of the year querying would be a waste of time, like don’t bother Nov/Dec, nobody reads queries then, and Summer like July/Aug. When do you two specifically not check your inbox? Thanks.
Weirdly, I thought this episode would be about times of year too! I thought they would go through the calendar and point out specific dates and stuff. Though I suppose once you're in the query queue or whatever you can't really predict when you're going to be read by any agent in particular.
I thought the same thing. 🤣 However, in regards to "time of the year," what I've heard is: send your query when it's done and your manuscript is ready. Otherwise, it doesn't really matter when.
I don’t think there’s a ‘wrong’ time to query as such. But some times of the year (Xmas etc) it will just take a lot longer to hear back from people than others
Thanks for the video! Always good to hear your insights. I have a question about more of the literal timing of sending a query, especially as we are entering the holiday season. I know a lot of agents/agencies close down and slow down this time of year, even more so around Christmas. I've done a couple batches of querying, gotten some good feedback, and wanted to continue with the process. Would it be beneficial to wait until the new year to do that or am I safe querying now? (By "the new year" I mean maybe late Jan/early Feb since I'm assuming many agents get flooded as soon as Jan 1 comes around and they open up again.) Thanks in advance!
With that, let me edit and revise my novel first and test it to beta readers. Then, I will send my query to you guys once I am done 🥰 i really want a literary agent like Jessica. Im from the Philippines btw
Wow, I didn't realise it's so common for people to query unfinished manuscripts. When I clicked on this video, I thought it was going to talk about 'the best time of year' to query. I've heard that December is a bad time to send submissions, but I know people who have received offers of representations in December. Is it a waste to query in early December (before the 5th?).
I'm not a fan of Twitter pitch events. The few times I've participated, I received requests and never heard back from the agents. No response at all. I no longer participate. For me, traditional querying is definitely the way to go.
*One of your best videos!* 👍 _"It's all in the execution."_ That's the key here. Or put another way ... _can you actually write a book?_ Many great concepts fail in the execution. That's just the reality.
The only thing worse than being buried in crappy manuscripts or first drafts is being buried in crappy manuscripts or first drafts that aren’t even finished. LOL
Sending a query to "test the waters" on an unfinished manuscript isn't just a bad idea, it's blatantly disrespectful! Agents are human beings trying to make a living from what they do - expecting them to use their time to provide a free service for you, without even telling them that's what you're doing, is Just Plain Deceitful. My husband used to do this with contractors: "How would you approach this job?" he'd ask, making it sound like he might hire them. Then he'd take all their input and do it himself. At least, he did until I read him the riot act about it! That's just tricking someone into giving you their time and talents for free. And THAT is stealing, plain and simple. The same is true about sending a query "just to test the waters."
Some agents do accept unfinished manuscripts. You have to find the agent who does. It's not about just testing the waters with a query. Its about trying to get representation for where your at with your manuscript.
I had to get off the treadmill to comment on this. Could you two be any more negative? Look at the title of the video. You two are haters. Also, Jessica has the all the personality of a third grade teacher with two years left to go. Hard pass
Or testing agents diminishes them, the way writers are diminished routinely.
Default agent response to a query being, 4-6 weeks wait time then you may or may not get a form letter. If you hear nothing by 2 months, assume we're not interested.
That's kind of demeaning to writers too, don't you think?
Testing an idea on an agent, they like it and ask for more---then they wait 4-6 weeks for the full manuscript like we would wait for a form letter.
All of this being said, I've never used an agent as a 'testing ground' if I query, the book is ready. But it does make a writer feel kind of demeaned to be treated so flippantly by agents.
So while I would never do that to someone, I can understand the sentiment.
The question I have in relation to one of the early comments Jessica made is how do I know if the market has passed my book by? So, for example, Jessica made reference to a story that she was interested in and requested, but the author hadn't finished the work and so didn't send the query until four years later. Because the querying process can take a long time, there are plenty of people who have been querying the same book for 2 years, sometimes more. Should those people just assume that book is no longer market relevant? 2 years isn't actually that long in the publishing world (measuring from starting querying to book release), so it feels to many of us like querying the same manuscript for 3 or 4 years is reasonable but Jessica's story implies it isn't.
Just trying to get some clarity on how to be mindful and realistic about the querying process. :) Thanks for the great content!
This is an incredible question, thank you. Unfortunately, it's not an easy thing to do, but we always suggest watching current deal announcements in the Publisher's Weekly email newsletters, or Publisher's Marketplace if you have a subscription.
I'm pretty sure there is no way to know if the market is or is not going to pass you by, by the time you're done writing, revising, and querying. That would mean being able to predict the future, and nobody can do that, that I know of. (Maybe hire a medium? I don't know! :D ) Writing is definitely a crap-shoot. But it's also a long game. Your story might miss its market this year, but the market is always changing. Hang onto everything you write - you never know when it might suddenly become the Flavor of the Month!
Thank you for helping me understand the industry. Never heard of pitmad.
perhaps I was interpreting the topic too literally, but are there specific times of the year querying would be a waste of time, like don’t bother Nov/Dec, nobody reads queries then, and Summer like July/Aug. When do you two specifically not check your inbox? Thanks.
Weirdly, I thought this episode would be about times of year too! I thought they would go through the calendar and point out specific dates and stuff. Though I suppose once you're in the query queue or whatever you can't really predict when you're going to be read by any agent in particular.
I thought the same thing. 🤣 However, in regards to "time of the year," what I've heard is: send your query when it's done and your manuscript is ready. Otherwise, it doesn't really matter when.
I don’t think there’s a ‘wrong’ time to query as such. But some times of the year (Xmas etc) it will just take a lot longer to hear back from people than others
Sorry about that! We corrected the title, and actually have a video on our channel answering your question!
@@hiplessboy Sorry about that! We corrected the title, and actually have a video on our channel answering your question!
It takes 6 weeks to 6 months for agents to reply with a “no” so yeah you can deal with my first few chapters and blurb while I write the damn book.
Thanks for the video! Always good to hear your insights. I have a question about more of the literal timing of sending a query, especially as we are entering the holiday season. I know a lot of agents/agencies close down and slow down this time of year, even more so around Christmas. I've done a couple batches of querying, gotten some good feedback, and wanted to continue with the process. Would it be beneficial to wait until the new year to do that or am I safe querying now? (By "the new year" I mean maybe late Jan/early Feb since I'm assuming many agents get flooded as soon as Jan 1 comes around and they open up again.) Thanks in advance!
Maybe we could see a video on this topic soon?
With that, let me edit and revise my novel first and test it to beta readers. Then, I will send my query to you guys once I am done 🥰 i really want a literary agent like Jessica. Im from the Philippines btw
Wow, I didn't realise it's so common for people to query unfinished manuscripts. When I clicked on this video, I thought it was going to talk about 'the best time of year' to query. I've heard that December is a bad time to send submissions, but I know people who have received offers of representations in December. Is it a waste to query in early December (before the 5th?).
Sorry about that! We corrected the title, and actually have a video on our channel answering your question!
I'm not a fan of Twitter pitch events. The few times I've participated, I received requests and never heard back from the agents. No response at all. I no longer participate. For me, traditional querying is definitely the way to go.
*One of your best videos!* 👍
_"It's all in the execution."_ That's the key here. Or put another way ... _can you actually write a book?_
Many great concepts fail in the execution. That's just the reality.
Thanks for putting this out. Though this video should be titled #PitMad. Happy Thanksgiving.
Hu guys. I do my writing in Google Docs. Can i submit it in this format? If not, what do you recommend? Thanks, Darrell
Hello! You'd typically need to send the agent a file. You can download a file from Google Doc in several different formats!
The only thing worse than being buried in crappy manuscripts or first drafts is being buried in crappy manuscripts or first drafts that aren’t even finished. LOL
Sending a query to "test the waters" on an unfinished manuscript isn't just a bad idea, it's blatantly disrespectful! Agents are human beings trying to make a living from what they do - expecting them to use their time to provide a free service for you, without even telling them that's what you're doing, is Just Plain Deceitful. My husband used to do this with contractors: "How would you approach this job?" he'd ask, making it sound like he might hire them. Then he'd take all their input and do it himself. At least, he did until I read him the riot act about it! That's just tricking someone into giving you their time and talents for free. And THAT is stealing, plain and simple. The same is true about sending a query "just to test the waters."
Some agents do accept unfinished manuscripts. You have to find the agent who does. It's not about just testing the waters with a query. Its about trying to get representation for where your at with your manuscript.
Are they saying- Pipmad?
I think it's _"Pit-mad"._
PitMad! Thanks for clarifying that.
I had to get off the treadmill to comment on this. Could you two be any more negative? Look at the title of the video. You two are haters. Also, Jessica has the all the personality of a third grade teacher with two years left to go. Hard pass
Ah, yes, you would know negativity!
@@BookEndsLiterary don’t take the bait. Rookie move!