In Search of the Perfect Agent
After completing a short story earlier this year, which goes along with the Renegade Series, I decided to switch gears and focus on finding an agent. Well, I’m here to tell you this is no small feat! In fact, it seems almost impossible. So far, I have sent query letters out to approximately 60 different agents, and gotten rejection letters from half of them. Some haven’t bothered responding at all. It’s very frustrating, to say the least. I’ve even received form letter rejections like this one:
“Thank you so much for querying me with your project. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel it was a good fit for my current list. As I’m sure you know, publishing is a subjective business and what isn’t right for me may be perfect for another agent or publisher. Please know I wish you all the best with your future endeavors.”
Are you kidding me? It makes me wonder if this agent even read my query and sample chapter. Although it’s less common, I have received reject letters with helpful (or what the agent thinks is helpful) suggestions on how to snag an agent.
I realize that getting rejections is all part of the process. That’s why I have been self-published for so long. As I’m sure you know, many famous authors got rejected at first, including Stephen King, Maya Angelou, Ray Bradbury, Judy Blume, J. K. Rowling, and Margaret Mitchell, just to name a few. Of course, they all eventually got picked up by an agent or publisher, and the rest is history.
My husband knew an author in Ft. Collins, Colorado, who had received so many reject letters that he said he wallpapered his bathroom with them. Not a bad idea! After much perseverance, he participated in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, made millions, and started his own newspaper. Now that’s inspiring!
Even though it is ego deflating and exasperating at times, I’m still determined to persist with the hope that, some day, I’ll find an agent. Wish me luck! (And thanks for allowing me to vent.)
