How I Query (Part 1)

I started compiling a list of literary agents I wanted to query to even while I was finishing up my final draft. I would use this opportunity to take a break from writing and get excited about the future of my story. Also, I knew that if I left it until after the novel was completely finished I might not be as careful with taking the time to make sure that every literary agent I query is well suited for my novel. After all, I spent a lot of time writing this thing and I want to make sure that it is being considered by awesome people.

Even though I made the list before I finished writing my book, I want to make it clear that I didn't query until it was completed and I knew I wouldn't be touching it anymore. There is nothing more unprofessional than querying when the novel isn't complete, no matter how close you are to the end.

To begin compiling my list, I found successful books that I personally enjoyed in the same genre as my story. It is fairly easy to find their literary agents online. I made a spreadsheet in Word detailing the agencies they are a part of, what they want in a query letter, the email address they want it sent to, etc.

It used to be that queries were sent through snail mail, but it has become popular to send them by email. Many agents only want a query letter with the first five to ten pages sent at first. Their websites say that they will respond within a few weeks if they are interested in seeing more. Once the email it sent it just becomes a waiting game.

So now there is nothing more for me to do with my novel since it is all about waiting for someone to show interest in it. My strategy was sending it to five of the ten agents that I researched. If none of them show any interest by June I will assume that there is something that they didn't like either in my query letter or the beginning section of my story so I will revise that before sending it out again at the beginning of June to five more agents.

In the meantime there is nothing to do but write something else. I started to continue the second book and I have a descent start, but I've been debating, especially in these last couple days, if I want to start an entirely different story. It's the summer, so I have such a huge chunk of time before school starts again in the fall so I could finish a first draft if I stay committed. If I were to write the second book of this first story, I don't know whether it will have to be changed later on if I find that I need to modify the first book. Honestly, it feels like the best option is to start a new project.

Also, having a separate story would allow me to query that as well without having to rely on this first one since they are dependent of each other. That is certainly a strong incentive for me to start over. So while I might be leaning towards giving up the sequel to start a new book, I might decide not to because it does require brainstorming new characters and plot points.