Here are the initial contacts I made as first steps to getting this book published:

Queries = 13
Rejections = 5
Requests for the proposal = 2
Waiting for response = 6

Proposal sent to agents = 2
Rejected = 1

Proposal direct to publisher = 1
Rejected = 1 (but I was told that the proposal has been forwarded to other editors in the publishing house so I still consider this active)

After initial contacts by query letter, I sent the proposal to two agents. They both said they’ll get back within this week or a few days, so by Friday, perhaps, I’ll get some feedback from them. Of course, I hope for an offer of representation, but if not, I at least expect to learn something from what they say about my proposal.

Title Changes

I sent the first proposal around this time yesterday, and the second just a few minutes ago. There is a small difference in these two proposals: I changed the titles of my book. I’ve been working with Title #1 since the beginning, but felt it could still be improved. So over the weekend, I ran a couple of ideas by the hubby. I now have a working  Title #2. I sent one query with this new title yesterday, and got a request for the proposal. I probably should run with this title for future queries.

Keeping Track

So, how do I keep track of the queries/proposals I send out? I started with a Microsoft Access database. Yes, I’m geeky like that. My excuse was that it was the perfect opportunity to learn Access. I’ve muddled through, used the templates, and now have a buggy little database of agents’ names, and the queries I sent them. I have forms and reports for my active queries and the details of each. It takes up time, but I enjoy using it.

I’ve also started using QueryTracker. It’s an online database with agents’ information and ways to keep track of queries and manuscript submissions. QueryTracker has good functionality, even for the free version. The only hitch I’ve encountered is that not all agents are on it, so I still use my database to keep track of those.

I’ve spent the last few weeks researching agents, preparing my proposal and sending off queries. The first query I sent was to a publisher that accepts unagented submissions. I hope that this will not be a bad mark in my search for an agent. I’ve read that agents don’t really want manuscripts that have been shopped around. Is one submission to a publisher considered shopping around? I hope not.

For now, here are the numbers on this non-fiction project. I started querying a month ago. As of today, I have sent the full proposal to one publisher and two agents, and queries to nine agents. I’ve received 2 rejections. Next week, I’ll be sending out more queries.

On a different note, I have another project that I’ve put on hold for a long time. I’ve recently taken it up again. It’s a 30,000-word fantasy for the middle-grade audience. I have written approximately 10,400 words and would really like to finish the first draft within a month or so. That means I’ve got about 20,000 more words to write. I have the outline and plot for this work laid out, with character descriptions and settings. I’m really lagging behind on this book. My goal now is simply to lay down the story as quickly as I can. I know I’ve been doing a lot of telling instead of showing, and that’s what I’ll be working on as part of my first revisions.

Last week, I sent my proposal by email. Less than a day after, I received an email from an acquisitions editor who said that my book didn’t fit the format of the books she handles for the publishing house. I really wasn’t surprised by this, because I specifically didn’t write the proposal for that particular group of books. I was surprised that it landed on her desk, because I know the publisher doesn’t accept unsolicited submissions for that imprint.

Anyhow, I was quite encouraged by her email. She said that I have a “good basis” for my proposal, and that she would be happy to read one from me that would fit her topics better. It’s a tiny confirmation that 1) my idea is not so far-fetched, and 2) I would not be laughed out of the publishing house because of my writing.

I sent back an email, thanking her and letting her know I will see what I can do with a different proposal, closer to what she needs. I also called my first contact to follow-up on having the proposal sent to another editor. Her response was positive.

And so, I hope that right now, my  baby is being read and seriously considered by an editor for whom it would be a perfect fit.

I was all for mailing the proposal this week. I had all the envelopes, crispy paper, and even new ink for the printer ready to go.

I finalized the proposal, and just needed to get the name of the submissions editor to send it to. Many writing books and websites emphasize the importance of getting an actual name for query letters and such, instead of just addressing the work to "The Editor” or, worse, “To whom it may concern”. Just how important this tip is was hammered home just this morning.

I made my first call, and got the name I thought I needed, as well as another phone number. A quick turn on Google and I found that the person was no longer working at the company. So I called the second number, explained what I was looking for, and eventually got to talk with an editor. Guess what? She told me to just go ahead and email the proposal to her.

Yup. My proposal is now sitting at an editor’s computer, even as I write this. I didn’t even need to print it out, include a SASE and all that other fun stuff I was raring to do (I love new paper!). I’ve done what I can at this point. All I can do now is wait. Meanwhile, my kids are eating popcorn for lunch today. But I’ll make up with a celebratory snack and a really good dinner later.

I’ve finished my proposal, and will be printing it in a few minutes. I don’t know what draft number this is already. I’ve made countless changes to the first draft, moving sections, adding paragraphs, deleting others, and just re-wording until I was really satisfied that I’ve made it as tight and clear as I can.

I don’t feel that this is the final draft, as there are a few areas that need a bit more tweaking. I’m just printing it out now to read it over, see how it looks on the printed page, and make final changes.

Tomorrow, I will call the publisher’s office to get the name of the editor I need to submit this to. The plan is to send this out on the mail this week.