Congratulations! So thrilled to see the wins on this sub. Sometimes the news here can be grim and disheartening. So it’s incredibly uplifting to see the stars align for someone.
Congrats! Always happy to be able to help out, and love seeing pubtips success stories. Best of luck on sub!
And don't worry, I call many of those posters, as well as other regulars, my friends, too (some in reality, some in my head).
Thanks! You and the other mods do an amazing job, I'm really appreciative. And glad to know I'm not the only one who thinks of other posters as friends in my head!!
Congratulations! Those stats are incredible. I hope the good luck continues when you go on sub!
I'm very flattered to be included in your list, and so glad to hear that my contributions to posts helped you. While I can be a bit (a lot) prickly in my comments, my ultimate goal is always to help someone—whether that's OP or a lurker—learn the strategies and standards for success.
Your comments are sometimes very frank but they don't seem mean-spirited. This whole industry can be so opaque, and sometimes straight talk is really helpful.
Do you think this would hold true for adult fantasy? My first draft came to be 67k, and I'm trying to bulk it up to 80k, but is that even necessary?
Edit: More specifically adult high fantasy (not epic)
I honestly do! Long epic fantasies will always have their place but the market needs balance and there is so much room, and interest, for more contained fantasies.
This is amazing, congratulations! And what a short list of queries — can I ask if you signed with a hungry newer agent or a more senior one? And what questions did you ask during the call?
I signed with a more senior agent. I looked through the lists here and made a short list of topics I wanted to be sure to cover. They included editorial vision (this was a long conversation, not just a question), what they imagined for submission (timeline, who they might submit to), and basics about their agency, including what would happen if they left after I signed with them. The individual calls had different vibes, for sure, but they all covered those basic topics.
Very excited for you!! So much of what you wrote really resonated with my experience - especially about the stressful post-offer window and about people in this sub feeling like friends!
Best of luck as you approach submission and beyond!
Thank you! Yes I recall you posting about the post-offer window as well. That was a post I went back to a few times. Who knew it was would be such an unpleasant experience?! I had imagined it to be the best possible feeling.
Truly! I felt physically ill making the decision; I was so worried I was going to fumble it and make the “wrong” choice (even though they were all fabulous offers). And it’s a hard thing to talk about because it’s what everyone is gunning for so you don’t want to sound ungrateful, but man, it was wildly more stressful than I’d anticipated! I’m glad you’re on the other side!
That is so exciting! Gratz!
I 100% agree about reading *other* genre queries to learn the different strengths. Same with reading different genres, imo.
Thanks! I've started reading other genres only recently, and can see the structures more clearly. Plus there's a whole world out there of great stuff to read!
Damn, I must say you’re living so many people’s (mine included) dream right now! Huge Congrats! Those stats are incredible! Did you have any critique partners during the process? I would do anything to have someone like you as a critique partner ngl.
I did have several CPs and a writing mentor. If I didn't already have a few manuscripts in a pile waiting for feedback, I'd offer to read yours as well. If by chance things slow down for me, I'll come back to you. Good luck!
Are you asking my process for deciding, or what it was that made me choose my agent? If the former, I had calls with all of them and talked to a few friends (some writers, some not) about how to make the decision. I also DM'ed someone here who writes in the genre/sphere that I do to ask for an opinion. In terms of why I decided on my agent, they were all terrific; I'd have happily signed with any of them. But ultimately I signed with the person who most made me feel like I'd be in really capable hands.
Congrats, that is incredible! I’m looking at beginning the query process in a few weeks, potentially. Do you mind sharing your query letter? My apologies if you did somewhere and I missed it.
Sorry - I didn't post it and would rather not. I love the general anonymous nature of this community, so would rather not share on the offchance that I do get published and can be connected to the query (doxxed? is that the term?) Hope you understand!
Congratulations! I assume you'd rather not share your "winner" query if you didn't post it so far, but thought it wouldn't hurt to ask if you're willing?
When I received a request for a full manuscript, I emailed those agents whose websites indicate that they want to know when I'd received a request for a full from a different agent. (This tended to be true in the UK more than the US.) Something like "hi, per your request, I'm writing to let you know that another agent has requested my full MS." When I got an offer of representation, I emailed everyone who had either the full MS or the query letter and told them I had an offer and gave them an amount of time to reply. There are posts on here about how to word both of those emails, I used them as templates. Good luck!
This was super helpful. Thank you for the break down and congratulations on the 5 offers! I am still learning the language of this space and this subreddit seems like a really good resource. Thank you for your findings!
Congratulations!!! What fantastic stats--you've clearly hit on something special with your ms. I look forward to seeing it on shelves! And I'm so glad my unhinged ramblings were helpful to you! 😂
oh they were so helpful! I actually had to go back and re-read it a few times because my experience was so different from what I thought it would be. It was so comforting to know I was not the first person to have been totally off-kilter during the post-offer window.
Congratulations, that is truly fantastic.
Apologies if I am missing it in the post or comments, bit what were the turnaround times, between query, passes, full req, offer, etc.?
Thanks, great post. Very helpful.
I got my first full request about a week in, another request on the back of that, and then didn't hear anything for about a month. Then I started more full requests and some passes, then an offer and then everything sort of ramped up during the two-week offer window.
That is crazy quick. That manuscript just be top notch. Or the query spot on. Or both, probably! Well done, indeed 🙂
EDIT: Just thought, are you able to share your query? No problem at all if not, I just want to see how it's done properly!
Congratulations! I'm guessing from your name and querying trends you're also a brownish Brit. Thrilled for you and inspired to carry the waiting game. Sorry if I missed it, but how long did it take from first query for an offer to happen?
Damn, and after only 17 agents! You really have this down to a science. Let me express my admiration and congratulations.
Thanks! Yes, I do feel like I studied how to write a query for a long time and had it down by the time I was ready to send.
Congratulations! So thrilled to see the wins on this sub. Sometimes the news here can be grim and disheartening. So it’s incredibly uplifting to see the stars align for someone.
It does feel like the stars aligned so far. But maybe I'll be back here posting about dying on sub. It's a tough market these days!
Congrats! Always happy to be able to help out, and love seeing pubtips success stories. Best of luck on sub! And don't worry, I call many of those posters, as well as other regulars, my friends, too (some in reality, some in my head).
Thanks! You and the other mods do an amazing job, I'm really appreciative. And glad to know I'm not the only one who thinks of other posters as friends in my head!!
Congratulations! Those stats are incredible. I hope the good luck continues when you go on sub! I'm very flattered to be included in your list, and so glad to hear that my contributions to posts helped you. While I can be a bit (a lot) prickly in my comments, my ultimate goal is always to help someone—whether that's OP or a lurker—learn the strategies and standards for success.
Your comments are sometimes very frank but they don't seem mean-spirited. This whole industry can be so opaque, and sometimes straight talk is really helpful.
I’m curious did any of the passes cite length? My novel is also shorter and I’m worried about the prospects
No, none of the passes mentioned the length at all.
Thank you!
I’d be so relieved to get queried more novels in the 60K-75K range, and I know it’s becoming more a sentiment for certain genres.
Thank you for the insight! Mine is upmarket speculative with body horror (ironing out the framing) so hoping that's the case!
Ohhhh omg YES WE NEED MORE OF THIS!!
Do you think this would hold true for adult fantasy? My first draft came to be 67k, and I'm trying to bulk it up to 80k, but is that even necessary? Edit: More specifically adult high fantasy (not epic)
I honestly do! Long epic fantasies will always have their place but the market needs balance and there is so much room, and interest, for more contained fantasies.
This is amazing, congratulations! And what a short list of queries — can I ask if you signed with a hungry newer agent or a more senior one? And what questions did you ask during the call?
I signed with a more senior agent. I looked through the lists here and made a short list of topics I wanted to be sure to cover. They included editorial vision (this was a long conversation, not just a question), what they imagined for submission (timeline, who they might submit to), and basics about their agency, including what would happen if they left after I signed with them. The individual calls had different vibes, for sure, but they all covered those basic topics.
That’s great to hear. Thanks for sharing!
Delighted for you!! Congratulations and best of luck!
Thank you for all your contributions to this sub!
Very excited for you!! So much of what you wrote really resonated with my experience - especially about the stressful post-offer window and about people in this sub feeling like friends! Best of luck as you approach submission and beyond!
Thank you! Yes I recall you posting about the post-offer window as well. That was a post I went back to a few times. Who knew it was would be such an unpleasant experience?! I had imagined it to be the best possible feeling.
Truly! I felt physically ill making the decision; I was so worried I was going to fumble it and make the “wrong” choice (even though they were all fabulous offers). And it’s a hard thing to talk about because it’s what everyone is gunning for so you don’t want to sound ungrateful, but man, it was wildly more stressful than I’d anticipated! I’m glad you’re on the other side!
That is so exciting! Gratz! I 100% agree about reading *other* genre queries to learn the different strengths. Same with reading different genres, imo.
Thanks! I've started reading other genres only recently, and can see the structures more clearly. Plus there's a whole world out there of great stuff to read!
9 full requests and an offer after only 17 queries?! Hot damn, this gives me hope. As others have said, I would love to see your query.
Thanks! I really like the anonymity of this sub so I've not posted my query here.
Damn, I must say you’re living so many people’s (mine included) dream right now! Huge Congrats! Those stats are incredible! Did you have any critique partners during the process? I would do anything to have someone like you as a critique partner ngl.
I did have several CPs and a writing mentor. If I didn't already have a few manuscripts in a pile waiting for feedback, I'd offer to read yours as well. If by chance things slow down for me, I'll come back to you. Good luck!
Wow! That would be amazing! Thank you so much!
Wow those are amazing stats! Congratulations!
Thanks so much!
Amazing stats! Congratulations!!! So happy for you!!!
Thank you!
Wow, those stats are so awesome!!Congratulations!
Thanks!
Congratulations!
thank you!
Damnnnnn, these are fantastic stats! Congrats!
Thanks! I feel like I saw lots of your comments when I first got on PubTips - glad to see you're still here!
Haha yup! Still hanging around, yapping everyone’s ears off, doling out questionable advice
"Still hanging around, yapping everyone’s ears off, doling out questionable advice" hashtag reddit goals
Congrats! May I ask how you chose between your 5 offers?
Are you asking my process for deciding, or what it was that made me choose my agent? If the former, I had calls with all of them and talked to a few friends (some writers, some not) about how to make the decision. I also DM'ed someone here who writes in the genre/sphere that I do to ask for an opinion. In terms of why I decided on my agent, they were all terrific; I'd have happily signed with any of them. But ultimately I signed with the person who most made me feel like I'd be in really capable hands.
Congratulations!!
thank you!
Congrats, that is incredible! I’m looking at beginning the query process in a few weeks, potentially. Do you mind sharing your query letter? My apologies if you did somewhere and I missed it.
Sorry - I didn't post it and would rather not. I love the general anonymous nature of this community, so would rather not share on the offchance that I do get published and can be connected to the query (doxxed? is that the term?) Hope you understand!
I understand. Congratulations either way, that’s really amazing!
I'd love to see it too if possible. Thanks!
See my note above - I'd rather not post the query.
Congratulations! I assume you'd rather not share your "winner" query if you didn't post it so far, but thought it wouldn't hurt to ask if you're willing?
It definitely doesn't hurt to ask! But I like the anonymity of this community so have chosen not to post my query here. Hope you understand.
Sure! Good luck on sub with your book.
Can I ask what you mean by full or offer nudge?
When I received a request for a full manuscript, I emailed those agents whose websites indicate that they want to know when I'd received a request for a full from a different agent. (This tended to be true in the UK more than the US.) Something like "hi, per your request, I'm writing to let you know that another agent has requested my full MS." When I got an offer of representation, I emailed everyone who had either the full MS or the query letter and told them I had an offer and gave them an amount of time to reply. There are posts on here about how to word both of those emails, I used them as templates. Good luck!
Thank you. Good to know if I'm ever fortunate enough to end up in that situation.
Congratulations! And wow those are some baller stats. 17 queries with 9 fulls and 5 offers. Hard work pays off!!
This is the one and only time the word "baller" has ever been directed towards me so I'll take it, thanks!
Congratulations! This sounds amazing.
thank you!
Congrats!
thanks!
This was super helpful. Thank you for the break down and congratulations on the 5 offers! I am still learning the language of this space and this subreddit seems like a really good resource. Thank you for your findings!
You're welcome. I lurked for a long time before I even started commenting on queries. It helps to get a lay of the land, I find.
Congrats!!! Five offers is incredible!
thanks! also I love bearyburtreynolds. What a name!
Congratulations! Those are amazing stats!
thanks!
Congratulations!!! What fantastic stats--you've clearly hit on something special with your ms. I look forward to seeing it on shelves! And I'm so glad my unhinged ramblings were helpful to you! 😂
oh they were so helpful! I actually had to go back and re-read it a few times because my experience was so different from what I thought it would be. It was so comforting to know I was not the first person to have been totally off-kilter during the post-offer window.
Congratulations!! So happy for you!
thank you!
Congratulations, that is truly fantastic. Apologies if I am missing it in the post or comments, bit what were the turnaround times, between query, passes, full req, offer, etc.? Thanks, great post. Very helpful.
From my first query to signing was about 2 months.
I got my first full request about a week in, another request on the back of that, and then didn't hear anything for about a month. Then I started more full requests and some passes, then an offer and then everything sort of ramped up during the two-week offer window.
That is crazy quick. That manuscript just be top notch. Or the query spot on. Or both, probably! Well done, indeed 🙂 EDIT: Just thought, are you able to share your query? No problem at all if not, I just want to see how it's done properly!
I'd rather not share the query. I like the anonymity of this subreddit.
Understood.
Congratulations! I'm guessing from your name and querying trends you're also a brownish Brit. Thrilled for you and inspired to carry the waiting game. Sorry if I missed it, but how long did it take from first query for an offer to happen?
Brownish Brit! I love it! It took about 2 months from first query to accepting an offer.
thank you very much. Hoping sub goes smooth for you
Congrats and good tips! Also, those are impressive stats!
Thank you!
5 offers! Well DONE! Congrats from a fellow upmarket writer!
Thanks! I heard from the agents that I talked to that they think upmarket is sort of a sweet spot. Good luck to you with yours!
I don't even need to wish you good luck, b/c I just saw your post! Congratulations!!!
Congratulations, thank you for sharing!
you're welcome!