If you have sent a query letter recently you know how anxious you feel after that.
You try to calm down close your laptop and do something.. As time passes you start to worry. You wonder if someone actually read your work or if it just disappeared.
The truth is, you are not crazy and your writing is not the problem.
The traditional publishing system is slow. Literary agents get thousands of submissions every month. They reject most of them. Big publishers are also very careful about what they choose.
So how can you get someone to notice your book? What can you do if you are tired of waiting for someone to decide? Lets look at how to make a pitch and how some new publishing options are changing things.
1. Crafting a Query That Commands Attention
When an agent opens your email you do not have a lot of time to grab their attention. You have 30 seconds.
Do not start with something or tell a long story. Your pitch needs to be short, emotional and interesting. It should be no than 350 words. Here is how to make it good:
Make It Personal
Do not start with a greeting like “Dear Agent”. Agents can tell when you are sending the email to many people. Take some time to find a reason to contact them. Did they work with a book you loved? Did they say they wanted a type of story? Mention it. This shows you are professional and did your research.
The One-Sentence Hook
If you met someone on the street and had to explain your story in ten seconds what would you say? Focus on the idea:
The Blueprint: When something big happens to the character they must do something before something bad happens.
Focus on Choice Not Plot Summaries
Your summary should not be a list of everything that happens in your book. It should be about the character and what they have to deal with. Who is the character, what changes their life and what hard choice do they have to make?
- Golden Rule: Do not name than two characters in your query letter. If you name many it gets confusing.
Metadata & “Comps”
Give the agent the facts about your book:
- **** Write it in all capital letters.
- Genre & Word Count: Be exact.
- Comp Titles: Name two books that are similar to yours.
2. Survival Tips for the Querying Trail
Waiting to hear back can be hard. To stay calm and focused:
- Query in Small Batches: Send out a queries at a time. If you do not hear back do not keep sending the pitch. Make some changes first.
- Track Your Submissions: Use a tool to keep track of when you sent your queries and when you heard back.
- Start Writing the Next Book: This is the way to deal with the wait. When you start working on a story you will feel better about waiting to hear back about your old one.
3. Beyond the Wait: How Modern Publishers Are Fixing the System
You do not have to wait a time to get a chance to be published. The publishing world is. Some smaller publishers are giving authors new options.
Publishers like Paper Craft Publishers are trying to make things better for writers:
- No More Waiting Games: Of waiting for months to hear back these publishers will talk to you directly and give you honest feedback.
- Hands-On Crafting & Design: They will help you make your book look professional from editing to design.
- A Real Partnership: Working with them feels like a team effort. You will work with people who care about your story.
Final Thoughts
Whether you try to get published or work with a smaller publisher, like Paper Craft Publishers remember that your book is worth it.
Make your pitch better know your options. Do not give up. Your story deserves to be read.
