Welcome… I’m New Here! The Loneliest Chapter of my Writing Career (help a new girl out)

[RedSquiggle]

Hello, everyone.

I'm here because any time I tell an acquaintance or colleague that I've written a sci-fi thriller, they look at me like I have two heads. The other non-fiction writers I know simply cannot relate. They aren't creatives (who've been suppressing their imaginations for a decade and a half, but I digress).

Pitching agents was extremely hard at first. Emotionally, I mean. I felt like a poser--like there's a little devil whispering in my ear, telling me I'm not good enough, and that I will never be good enough, despite really good feedback from my beta readers. I'm nearly fifty queries deep and I still feel like a poser. I'm on the verge of hyperventilation when I'm putting together a query. Rejections, strangely, I've taken in stride. It's not rejection that scares me, it's putting myself out there. I hope that makes sense to someone.

If anyone would be so kind as to help me get a lay of the land, I'd be so grateful. I enjoy editing (when there's time for it) and audiobooks. I have plans for other novels and short stories, but I can't see past my goal of 100 queries.

 

[Vagabond Heart]

Hi Red Squiggle

I'm glad you've joined us. We have many sci-fi writers and readers here, so you only need bring the one head with you.

Give yourself time to settle into the group; see how we operate, what we do and what we offer. And if I may, can I suggest that the goal of 100 queries could be put on hold for the moment? I'd rather see you with 3 agents all biting your hand off to sign you up, than lots more rejections.

I won't presume to know what level of expertise you've had on your side up to now, but in my experience beta readers are great at what they do, but often won't be able to tell you if your query letter is firing on all cylinders, or if your synopsis hits the mark. And these are all things we help each other with here, most notably in the weekly Huddles with Agent Pete (which you could access if you felt it would be of use to you, as you'd need to upgrade your membership).

And almost everyone here will empathise with that feeling of wondering if we're good enough, so don't worry. Just take your time, get to know us, and when you're ready, let us help you.

In the meantime, welcome to the group. xx

 

[RedSquiggle]

Thank you, Linda!

I've worked very hard on tailoring my query, synopsis, etc. It has been the most challenging part, though I am experienced in this kind of writing (pitching essays, synthesis of material for other purposes). Of course, I'm open to feedback and to totally rewriting it, but I know it at least doesn't suck.

I'd love to hear more about this perspective of "three agents biting your hand off." The internet advice I've read is very much not in agreement with this, saying you must have both a strong query and large numbers, each tailored to the agent's interests. That is the approach I've taken. It's only been a few weeks since I've started. I've had four rejections so far.

 

[James Charles]

Welcome. We feel, or have felt, as you do, RedSquiggle. The best of the best have been through this (there are many examples of successful writers who struggled for years with rejections). But, in the end, have thick skin and march on.

 

[E G Logan]

I've had four rejections so far.

I've had four since Tuesday. The numbers mean nothing, really.
I agree with @Vagabond Heart – forget the 100. How is it better than 95? Is it less good than 105?

Maybe if what you're writing is very specifically genre, and there are a LOT of potential agents for it, then it might get to be a bit of a numbers game. But what you are doing sounds right to me, choosing your target agents, customising your query carefully – to each one, remember – letting people here take a look at it, polishing it...

Stay positive and don't give up.

 

[RedSquiggle]

I've had four since Tuesday. The numbers mean nothing, really.
I agree with @Vagabond Heart – forget the 100. How is it better than 95? Is it less good than 105?

Maybe if what you're writing is very specifically genre, and there are a LOT of potential agents for it, then it might get to be a bit of a numbers game. But what you are doing sounds right to me, choosing your target agents, customising your query carefully – to each one, remember – letting people here take a look at it, polishing it...

Stay positive and don't give up.

Thank you, E G! Yes, perhaps 100 is overambitious for a high-concept SFF thriller. I guess I got carried away with goal-setting. I'm married to a very numbers-oriented person and sometimes it rubs off on me.

 

[E G Logan]

I blitzed a lot of people at the start of the week, knowing several were marginal chances at best – I don't recommend that either!

 

[RedSquiggle]

Ah, but aren't they all marginal chances? [She said with a wry smile.]

Have you seen the stats on QueryTracker? We're talking 0.5% positive reply rates for the bulk of agents listed there. So, in a sense, it is still a numbers game--as much as that irks us "right-brained" people.

 

[Vagabond Heart]

Who's Linda?

 

[RedSquiggle]

Who's Linda?

Honestly, have no idea.

 

[RK Wallis]

Welcome @RedSquiggle

Last year, I submitted 51 queries (and I spent 2 years polishing the title, query, synopsis and pitch in Huddles) on my 2nd YA Fantasy. I got 2 requests for fulls. One was rejected, one I'm still waiting but it'll be a rejection. I've moved on and I'm halfway through a middle grade and loving it. Agent Pete's advice is spot on ... keep moving.

My experience: You can have the query right and put your book through critique and beta readers...and agents will find what everyone else missed because they see books often so they know what they're looking at...you have to have a voice, and that voice has to be smooth and make sense from start to end.

 

[RedSquiggle]

Welcome @RedSquiggle

Last year, I submitted 51 queries (and I spent 2 years polishing the title, query, synopsis and pitch in Huddles) on my 2nd YA Fantasy. I got 2 requests for fulls. One was rejected, one I'm still waiting but it'll be a rejection. I've moved on and I'm halfway through a middle grade and loving it. Agent Pete's advice is spot on ... keep moving.

My experience: You can have the query right and put your book through critique and beta readers...and agents will find what everyone else missed because they see books often so they know what they're looking at...you have to have a voice, and that voice has to be smooth and make sense from start to end.

Yes, I think knowing the why of your work is important (for me, anyway) in establishing that voice. I have a lot of obligations, so I have to have a reason to write a story beyond just wanting to spin a yarn.

 

[Claire G]

Hi @RedSquiggle and welcome! Many of us have been/are in your situation. I can only advise that you keep working on honing your craft - and this includes getting feedback on your opening chapters/full manuscript/query letter/synopsis. Then send out your personalised submissions in batches of 6-10. That way, if you get any feedback, it can be acted upon before submitting to the next batch of agents.

It's very brave to put yourself 'out there' and yes, you need a thick skin. I've learned that you also have to be open to shelving a book and moving on to the next one, which can hurt (but that passes with the excitement of immersing yourself in your new idea!). For most people, it's a long game. Perseverance is the characteristic that all successful authors have in common.

Good luck!

Claire xx

 

[BrianY]

Red Squiggle, while I have nothing more to contribute on the topic here, I do want to tell you how much I've loved my visits to the Black Hills. It's a truly unique place and I could see how even a ride to the supermarket could give you a bit of a science fiction feeling.

 

[E G Logan]

Who's Linda?

That took you a while.
(I don't know either, but I assumed you did.)

 

[Jonny]

Hi @RedSquiggle

And as others have said, we've all felt the way you do, we've got over feeling it, before feeling it all over again. It's a cycle that's pretty much par for the course with writing. It can be a lonely furrow to plough or plow as they say in your part of the world.

The good thing is that now you're here you're not alone. In Litopia you'll get plenty of support, encouragement, advice and so much goodwill to hopefully spur you on.

Settle in and have a look around the place. Just pitch in when you're ready to - maybe start by giving some feedback in the Labs. You'd be amazed how beneficial this is for assisting you in the development of your own projects.

So a very warm welcome to the colony.

 

[Nikky Lee]

Oo, a fellow sci-fier! Welcome, welcome!

 

[Sedayne]

Hello @RedSquiggle

Very nice to meet you. I hope you are settling in well.

This is the place to be for mutual support through those dark, self-doubting times that haunt all writers. And also to share all our little wins and greater triumphs.

Stop by The Lab to see some of the projects Litopians have on the go, and perhaps in time you might share some of your writing with us. Critiquing other people's work is one of the best ways to improve your own writing.
And if querying is your stumbling block at the moment (it's a huge stumbling block for everyone), you can get help and feedback on your pitch and synopsis in The Lab too.

Any questions, just ask

 

[Sarit]

@RedSquiggle Welcome to Lithopia and nice to meet another fellow SFF writer. If I may offer some thoughts to your struggle which we all know all too well...
The artist carries with him the burden of extreme individuation, which results inherently in isolation. It is an expression of heroism in his life, which can only be self-referenced. The expression of individual unique gifts (art) in some ways makes him immortal. It's an intense tradeoff and the artist accepts that because he can do no other. Dropping your art into the great void of life is courageous, because to me it's like publicly announcing the anguished searching for someone to listen. But you know what? We are listening

 

[Pamela Jo]

Hi, Red Squiggle. I use competitions to keep me motivated. Like yu I need more than just wanting to tell a tale to sit down and do the deed. What I learned after finishing my first book is that agents dont want to hear from yu until yu have done 3 (THREE) rewrites. From several years perspective I now have sympathy with that plea. If yu are not getting anything back... chances are your novel isn't ready yet. That's what writer groups can really help with and Litopia is the best I've found. So I agree with Vagabond (Bev) get to know us, but jump Into the lab. You'll get a taste of what agents are seeing and reacting to. and that will help yu diagnose whether yu just keep sending in on Query Track or go back to your story to rework it. I will say my own experience is that every story is made better by kicking it up a level. It's hard to see those plot holes and lame tropes inside our own heads.

 

[Hannah F]

I could repeat much of what folk say here, but all I'll say is hi. Welcome aboard the writers' boat. Every now and then, one of us gets thrown overboard by another rejection, but luckily there are many friendly hands on board who pull us back up and hug the water out of our lungs so we can start again.

 

[Sedayne]

I could repeat much of what folk say here, but all I'll say is hi. Welcome aboard the writers' boat. Every now and then, one of us gets thrown overboard by another rejection, but luckily there are many friendly hands on board who pull us back up and hug the water out of our lungs so we can start again.

I love this analogy. It's very much what Litopia is about.

 

[RedSquiggle]

Hi, Red Squiggle. I use competitions to keep me motivated. Like yu I need more than just wanting to tell a tale to sit down and do the deed. What I learned after finishing my first book is that agents dont want to hear from yu until yu have done 3 (THREE) rewrites. From several years perspective I now have sympathy with that plea. If yu are not getting anything back... chances are your novel isn't ready yet. That's what writer groups can really help with and Litopia is the best I've found. So I agree with Vagabond (Bev) get to know us, but jump Into the lab. You'll get a taste of what agents are seeing and reacting to. and that will help yu diagnose whether yu just keep sending in on Query Track or go back to your story to rework it. I will say my own experience is that every story is made better by kicking it up a level. It's hard to see those plot holes and lame tropes inside our own heads.

I did withdraw my outstanding queries when I realized it wasn't ready. I'm close, but not there yet. It's that fatigue of writing that makes you think you've pushed the work to the limit, but if you wait a few months you realize you had more you could pour into it.

 

[RedSquiggle]

Oo, a fellow sci-fier! Welcome, welcome!

Love the GIF. David Tennant was my favorite Doctor.

 

[Bloo]

Love the GIF. David Tennant was my favorite Doctor.

Blasphemy !!!

Just the thing we need around here

I write sci-fi, too. I'm working on a first-contact novel. Hopefully, I can finish it before actual aliens show up.

Love to see what you got, but I'm deep into a beta right now. If I don't finish soon, a red-headed battle maiden will pound me into a (blueberry) jelly.

Anyhoo...welcome to the Colony. Cool handle...but why not a blue squiggle ???

 

[Nikky Lee]

Blasphemy !!!

Sorry @Bloo, you're outnumbered. Tennant was my favourite Doctor too

 

[Pamela Jo]

I did withdraw my outstanding queries when I realized it wasn't ready. I'm close, but not there yet. It's that fatigue of writing that makes you think you've pushed the work to the limit, but if you wait a few months you realize you had more you could pour into it.

So true. But meanwhile enter a competition. Yes it's a lottery, but something about knowing it's going to be read. And if yu place yu know yuare on the right track at least. Why not try this one. I mean sure, you'd want to write a memoir someday-right? Get on here and some agentis goingto look at your book

Write or Flight - the World’s First Reality Competition for Writers - NewWriters.org.uk

Intrepid Times Travel Writing Competition information including entry fee and prize details for this competition run by Anthology Magazine.

newwriters.org.uk

 

[Bloo]

Doctorin' the Tardis

 

[RedSquiggle]

So true. But meanwhile enter a competition. Yes it's a lottery, but something about knowing it's going to be read. And if yu place yu know yuare on the right track at least. Why not try this one. I mean sure, you'd want to write a memoir someday-right? Get on here and some agentis goingto look at your book

Write or Flight - the World’s First Reality Competition for Writers - NewWriters.org.uk

Intrepid Times Travel Writing Competition information including entry fee and prize details for this competition run by Anthology Magazine.

newwriters.org.uk

I haven't lived long enough to write a memoir lol. Nor do I think my life is memoir-worthy.

 

[Pamela Jo]

I haven't lived long enough to write a memoir lol. Nor do I think my life is memoir-worthy.

Aw, everybody says that. And that'sthe beauty of this. It's about the optics. It's reality TV. They want young people.

If your favorite songs are a clue...you've lived enough to have something to say, You have a young daughter. She may be a mother someday .Seriously, what does she need to to know about that journey to and through motherhood? Memoirs have evolved. They dont mean what yu think they mean.