When I was querying literary agents, I grappled with whether to blog about it. The whole purpose of this blog is to help you learn from my experiences (and to help me grow), and I kinda felt like I was leaving you out in the cold by not sharing exactly what was going on. Several people wrote to me asking, what’s the latest with your manuscript?
But while I’m a supporter of honest blogging, I also felt like blogging about querying might hurt my chances of landing a great agent. I wanted agents to come to my blog and see the community I’ve built here, not read about how I wanted to pull my hair out while waiting for them to get back to me.
In the end, some things are better left unblogged. And for me, the details of my agent search fell into that category — at least while I was in the middle of it.
But now that I’m represented by Rachelle Gardner, I want to share my query experience with you. In my next few posts, I’ll write about what I learned from querying, as well as how I went about it. I’m also planning to post my query so you can see what worked for me. Is there anything in particular you’d like to know? Any details that might help you query when it comes to your own agent hunt?
For those of you who are querying now, do you blog about it? What other parts of a writer’s life might be better left unblogged?
As for where I’m at now with the manuscript: I’m revising. Again. And I’m sure it won’t be the last time.
I’m going to go the same route you did–blog about the querying experience after I see the light at the end of the tunnel. Haven’t begun to query yet.
I am curious…did you dive in with your memoir in the first sentence or did you make a connection with the agent first?
Looking forward to seeing your query.
~ Wendy
Wendy: Not sure exactly what you mean. Do you mean did I find an agent before or after I wrote the manuscript?
Alexis, I think you made a wise choice. Some things are better left unblogged. Especially for those of you who are making serious careers out of writing. I can’t wait to hear more about your process, and especially can’t wait to see your successful query letter.
karen
Some things are definitely best left unblogged. The beauty, I think, is that everyone gets to choose their limit. I err on the side of caution as well, but am so grateful to the writers who did share their experiences.
In your query letter did you lead with a sentence about your memoir or did you write another kind of opening sentence?
Sorry if I confused you.
~ Wendy
Agreed. Always better to leave something unblogged if you’re not ready.