7 Things You Can Do to Keep Yourself From Going Crazy When Querying Agents
There’s nothing more terrifying and exciting than when you begin querying agents. It doesn't matter if you’re a fiction writer, nonfiction writer, poet, or screenwriter. The dreaded querying phase is something we all must go through. At least those who are seeking to traditionally publish.
If your favorite author has a blog, YouTube channel, or social media, chances are they wrote about their querying journey. If not, don’t feel bad for asking. Most are happy to tell the story.
One of the hardest aspects of querying agents is waiting. Traditional publishing moves at a snail’s place. Many agents have a 4-6 week turnaround times on queries. Some are even longer. Many might not even respond.
So what can you do to keep yourself from going insane during this time?
Here are 7 of the most popular things to do when querying agents
#1 — Start a new project
There’s no question about it. Starting a new project is a great way to keep yourself busy when querying. Even agents suggest this.
Why? Because you’re transferring all that nervous energy into a new plot or characters. As a nonfiction writer, I decided to research my next project while waiting to hear back from agents.
While it may not stop you from checking your email every few minutes, it does give your brain something else to obsess over while waiting.
Most writers have a slew of ideas. And querying agents is the best time to start working on your next one.
Pro tip: Agents want to know you’ve got more than one book in you. So being able to tell them what else you’re working on is great to have for “the call.”
#2 — Connect with other writers
I know you’ve heard the phrase that writing is a solitary endeavor. It may take a village to publish a book, but it takes a writer to write the book.
That’s why having some kind of community is important. A writing community will be there for you every step of the way when querying agents. They're your best support system during this time.
I’m a member of Quill & Cup, an all-female writing community. We have weekly workshops, daily coaching videos, and 4+ writing times a day.
You could be on a call with three writers or twelve. Our main focus is to support each other to get our stories written. But we also highlight the importance of taking care of ourselves by filling our cups.
It doesn’t matter how big of a community you join. The key is having writer friends — either in person or virtually — you can turn to for help.
#3 — Pick up a hobby
If you’re exhausted and don’t feel like starting a new project when querying agents, then pick up a hobby. I get it. You’ve just written 80,000+ words and edited them half a dozen times. You want a break.
That’s why picking up a new or old hobby is a great idea.
Always wanted to start knitting? Now is the time. Want to learn another language? Sign up for that course.
Throwing yourself into another hobby will give your brain a break. Depending on the hobby, it might even give you ideas for future stories.
So don’t knock picking up a new hobby. It could be just the thing that helps you write your next masterpiece.
#4 — Share your journey
The rise of social media has helped aspiring writers connect with each other across the globe. Remember how I said before that community is key? Here is your chance to be a part of it.
Share your querying journey on social media. Don’t be afraid to talk about rejections and failures. We need to balance out social media by not always showing picture-perfect lives.
I follow a few writers who are very open about their querying journey and it’s rather inspiring. Because I’ve been there. I know what it feels like to get a full request only to have it rejected a few weeks later.
When you’re open and vulnerable about your journey, you’re going to connect with people more. Don't just show off your wins and successes. Show them the dirty behind-the-scenes stuff. That's where your personality shines brightest. Your followers will appreciate it.
#5 — Work on your platform/author brand
I hate the word “platform.” Absolutely loathe it. But as a nonfiction writer, it’s important for me. Still, I want to stress that platform is more than your social media following.
Your author platform can include:
Articles you’ve written for magazines (print or online)
Guest blog posts
Your own blog
Your email list
Your personal network (book clubs, writing communities, etc)
Speaking engagements
And more
While a platform for fiction writers is often built after publication, it’s never too early to start one.
If you have a decent social media following, try starting a newsletter. Pitch articles and blogs to online publications. The more you dip your toes into, the better you’ll stand when querying agents.
#6 — Take some online classes
During the height of the pandemic, online webinars and masterclasses rose in popularity. Though not as intimate as in-person meetings, people from all over the world had a chance to see their favorite author or take a class they otherwise couldn’t.
One way to stay sane when querying agents is to take some online classes you’ve had your eye on. They could be writing-related or not. Skillshare has a ton of classes that range from productivity, photography, and more.
I myself have taken a few. Your options are endless. Besides Skillshare, I love Domestika. And if you search author websites, you might find that some offer free hour-long courses on a variety of subjects.
My philosophy is "always be learning" and there’s no better time to start.
#7 — Limit your social media use
I know this contradicts what I said before about building your author platform, but hear me out. If you follow agents on social media, chances are you’re stalking them there as much there as you are on email.
Many agents will post query updates on their feeds. The last thing you want is to spend time wondering if yours was in their latest batch.
If you want to stay sane when querying agents, set a limit on your social media use. Because if you happen to see a fellow aspiring writer announce their signing with an agent you queried, you’re going to feel a little jealous.
Go to your phone settings and set a time limit. 30-60 minutes is ideal. This way you can turn your focus on more important things like your new hobby or your new project.
I’m not going to sugarcoat it: querying agents is hard. But if you do whatever you can to keep yourself from staring at your email inbox all day, you’re going to help yourself in the long run.
I queried for years before signing with my agent. Others query for a few months. The truth is, no querying journey is the same. I know it’s a phrase you probably hate hearing, but it bears repeating: Trust the process and know your time will come.
You can read about my querying journey here.
And if you have any questions about querying or writing, feel free to contact me. Having been in the querying trenches before, I’m happy to support you and give you my best advice.
And don’t forget to join my email list so you stay up to date on all new blog posts and my writing journey.
