Querying Update

Okay, so I updated in yesterday's post that Suzie Townsend of Harvey Klinger, Inc., sent back a form rejection. Just recently, however, I got another e-mail, this time from Andrea Somberg. The bad news? Still a rejection. The good news? It wasn't a form rejection, and it gave me a bit to work with:

Dear Veronica:

Thanks for sending along the pages of your manuscript, A Love to Kill for. Truth be told, though, I'm afraid these pages just didn't draw me in as much as I had hoped. I'm pressed for time these days and, what with my reservations about the project, I suspect I wouldn't be the best fit. Thanks so much for contacting me and for giving me this opportunity. It's much appreciated, and I'm sorry to be passing. I wish you the very best of luck in your search for representation.

Best,

Andrea 

Yeah, yeah, I hear you--there's not much to find by way of advice. But what it does tell me: the first five pages I sent her don't have enough voice. Or better yet, I toned down my voice in lieu of an edgy beginning, which was a mistake.

And this, kids, is exactly why you never send your queries out at once! It's a learning process. If, in the future I've fixed the problems and still don't have an agent, I may requery her; I really appreciate her candor and willingness to give me a bit of help. But by querying gradually, I'll learn from my mistakes, improve my submission quality, and find the agent who's right for me.

Each rejection just means you've got one rejection less until you make it!