Q01: Querying Strategies

(This question is part of a larger subseries called Perpetual WIPs: Querying Writers. For the remaining questions, see here.)

How many queries do you usually send out at a time? What’s the thought process behind your strategy?

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My initial query fury was about 10-15 the first week, followed by 1-4 a week once I realized my query didn’t suck. I research each agent before I put them on my query list, and avoid querying agents I know are judging upcoming contests I’m participating in.

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I usually send out five or so at a time, mostly because I prefer getting rejections in smaller batches :). But more realistically, I like to think of it as testing out a query. When I researched agents for my first manuscript, I divided them into categories: agents that seemed like a huge reach, agents that I loved (and seemed like a good match), agents that I wouldn’t be heartbroken to get a rejection from. I tended to query by sending out to mostly “reach” agents at first, and then throwing in a few agents who I really loved, based on interviews, Twitter, books they rep.

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I send out 10 queries when I start querying. Then whenever I get a request or a rejection (or i close one for no response), I immediately send out another query. That way I always have 10 out with agents. 10 just seems like a nice, round number to me and is easy to handle. Also, I like sending queries, so it makes me feel better after a rejection to send one, because I get a little thrill and a burst of excitement.

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I always have seven out at a time, so if I get a rejection or a request, I mark that agent off the query list and send another one. This is a different strategy than I used with my previous MS. For that one, I sent out in waves of seven every few weeks. I like this way better because I feel like I’m continually getting answers instead of waiting forever. And it still gives me an opportunity to tweak things if I get feedback. As far as the number, it just seemed like a happy medium between five and ten.

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I’ve sent several small batches (5-8) to make sure the query and first pages are working. I’ve found that no matter how well I target, my first queries still need work and have a much lower request rate than the tweaked queries.

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When I start querying, I usually send small batches – 10-15 to see what the response is. But later on in the process when I know the query is working, I send larger groups out 20-30. Mostly because I get impatient.

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I send out few at a time. Maybe three. I think I send out do few at a time since I spend so long personalizing the query and researching each agent I send to. It takes a while! I usually go on agentquery, etc to find which agents will take my work and from there I narrow down who would probably e compatible with me.

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I usually send out between 15-25 at a time. Since it takes so long to hear back from agents, I find this is a good, manageable amount.

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I started with batches of 5-12, then as I received rejections I sent a few more. I just want to be sure that I always have queries out there to be looked at.

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I send out very small batches of queries — maybe 3-4 at a time. My rationale is that while I think the query is working right now, I may look back later and realize that it needs to be changed. I also want to see if it’s a dud in terms of garnering requests before I blanket the universe with it, you know?

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So! Kind of a lot of different responses out there, and a little insight into how querying writers make these decisions. Any of these sound like you? Or make you rethink the way you might want to do things? Speak up in the comments!