R&R doesn't always mean a vacation

Originally I thought the only success querying was an offer of representation, but over the past couple of years I've realised there are various levels of success with querying.

The stages levels of success of querying include:

1. No reply/form rejection (not successful).
2. Personalised reply with feedback (there's something there).
3. Request (you've intrigued them)
4. R&R - Revise and resubmit (oh you're so close).
5. Offer of representation (woo hoo, you rock).

I want to have a look at these four levels a bit closer.

No reply/form rejection

If you are consistently getting rejections through no reply or form letters then something isn't hitting the mark. There are a few reasons for this, but it's probably because your query letter isn't drawing the agents in. Try workshoping your query letter with friends or entering query critic competitions.

Another issue could be your sample writing. Your opening has to be captivating, drawing the agent in. If your MS starts with someone waking up, then agents will probably pass on seeing more. No snoozy starters.

Another reason you could be getting rejections is because you're querying agents who don't represent your genre/category. There's plenty of online resources out there that can help you find information on agents, including the Agentopia section of YAtopia.

Personalised reply with feedback

It's really rare nowadays for an agent to five feedback in a rejection. And I mean real, personalised feedback. If it says "it wasn't for me" or the like then it's still a form rejection. But if you get a response that includes a direct reason why you've been reject such as "great concept, but the opening is too quiet" then that is actually classed as a success.

Yes, it's still a rejection, but the agent liked something about it enough to give you some encouragement and constructive feedback. Take heart when you get those rare emails and take note of the little pieces of advice gold that you're getting as it's rare.

Request

Yes! Your query letter has worked (along with your opening pages if you've submitted them). This is a fantastic sign. It doesn't always lead to representation but it means that you've mastered the query letter and possible how to writer a killer opening. Now the nail-biting begins.

R&R: Revise and Resubmit

This is such a good sign for a writer. The agent has read your work, but doesn't hit the mark for them. But instead of passing they want you to do some revision on your manuscript and send it back. They will include feedback on what they'd like to see changed, and if you think it's a workable idea then you might just find that you send them back exactly what they want.

However, this one is tough. You may decide that the direction the agent wants you to go in doesn't match what you want for the manuscript, in which case it's likely you won't go through with it. Even if you do everything they ask for, it doesn't mean that they'll sign you.

R&R is no holiday. It's tough work to massage a manuscript into what someone else wants.

Offer of Representation

That's the home run. You've written a query that's drawn in an agent and they've fallen in love with your writing. Now the next round of waiting starts as your agent does the "querying" to publishers.


A good way to get into the mind of an agent is to look for places online where agents discuss why they pass on projects. Nelson Literary Agent Sara Megibow regularly does  ‪#10queriesIn10tweets  on twitter, which gives great insight into slush reading. WriteOnCon is only a few months away and they have regular live events with agents. Last year's included the opportunity of a live query feedback event. You can also see the slush from an intern's perspective with The Super Intern Contest on Brenda Drake's blog with Louise Fury's intern Erica Chapman.

I hope that this gives you hope if you've gotten more than just a form rejection, and a way forward if that's what you've received to date. Remember, the road to publication isn't always easy and you're guaranteed to fail if you quit.

If you've been querying - please share your advice and insights.