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Peg Cheng: Writer

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Querying is Not for the Weak

I’ve been avoiding writing about my querying process in hopes that I’d have something positive to tell you. But, I can’t keep avoiding it.

So, here’s the short of it.

I’ve been rejected by every agent I’ve contacted.

The longer story is I started querying agents to represent my suspense novel, Doc and the Seven, on September 10, 2018 and stopped querying on November 9, 2018. Over the last five months, I’ve received 37 rejections: 16 emailed rejections from 15 agents (one agent rejected me twice*), and no response from 21 agents. Since it’s been more than 12 weeks since I queried the last agent, it’s safe to say those 21 agents have rejected me as well.

Percentage wise, I heard back from 43% of the agents and heard nothing from 67%.

Only two rejections were personalized. 35 were form letters (emails).

Those are pretty crappy stats.

Querying is not for the weak.

I spent two and a half years writing and revising my suspense novel. Ten beta readers gave me feedback. I hired a professional editor to line edit and copyedit it. I hired three people in the publishing business to critique my query letters. In the end, I felt good about all the things I did to get my novel ready to submit.

Still, I was rejected…over and over again.

Querying is not for the weak.

When I started querying last fall, I stated that I would either get 100 rejections or find an agent, whichever came first. Now, it’s five months later, 37 rejections later, and I have no desire to keep querying.

Does this mean I’ve given up on having an agent?

No, I haven’t. But, I don’t feel I’m going to find an agent through the traditional route of cold querying.

So, what am I going to do?

Three things.

First, I’m going to keep writing.

Those of you who subscribe to my newsletter or follow me on Twitter know that I’ve completed a pilot script for an animated kids TV show. The script is currently in Los Angeles and a friend of a friend is getting ready to pitch it to a major streaming service. Fingers crossed that it will lead to good things. Next, I’m adapting my first novel, The Contenders, into a feature-length screenplay.

Second, I’m going to keep reading.

This year, I’m focusing on novels published by indie publishers. I want to find small presses that are publishing books in the same vein as my novel, Doc and the Seven. I’m going to take my time reading novels, researching publishers, and staying open to the possibility of being published by an indie publisher.

Third, I’m going to keep getting out there.

I write because I have stories to tell and because I want people to read them. That’s what stories are for–for sharing with other people. I will keep getting out in the world through writing my own blog posts, writing posts for other blogs and outlets, sending out my newsletter, being active (but not too active!) on social media and marketing my novel and course on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. I’ll also keep meeting other authors, creatives, and members of the publishing world.

Querying is not for the weak. Writing and marketing are not for the weak either.

There are times like this when I feel weak, but deep down, I know that I’m not. I know this feeling is only temporary. It just sucks when you’re going through it.

Still, I will keep going. And, I will keep being honest with you about how it’s going.

Hopefully next time, I’ll have happier news to share.

* I queried J.M. during my first week of querying. He emailed a rejection within 48 hours. Then, I entered a Twitter pitching event called #DVPit and J.M. liked my pitch. I was thrilled. I sent a revised query letter and 50 sample pages. He took longer this time to decide but alas, he rejected me again. So, my friends, that’s how I ended up getting rejected twice by one agent.

Photo: Badass kick boxers at eVOLV by Marcus Donner.

 

 

 

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Only 2 Desires for 2019

Snow White and Rose Red by Natsuki Otani

Another new year has started, and unlike most new years in my life, I feel no desire to set any goals.

2017 started this trend. That was the first year when I didn’t set any goals. None. It was a very hard year. All I could do was get up, shower, and get through the day. I had to let setting goals go and I’m glad I did.

Then, in 2018, I set habits instead of goals. Here they are.

  1. Meditate for 10 minutes
  2. Create for 20 minutes
  3. Read for pleasure for 20 minutes
  4. Exercise for 20 minutes
  5. Sleep for 8 hours

I’m happy to report that I integrated most of these habits into my daily life, but I didn’t do #2 and #4 as much as I would have liked.

There were days when I wouldn’t create at all–no writing, no drawing, no notes, nothing. Some days it was because I was avoiding it and procrastinating, and some days it was because I simply didn’t feel like it. I tried to not beat myself up about it.

There were also days when I didn’t exercise. Not for 20 minutes. Not even for 10 minutes. It wasn’t good for me and I could feel it in my body. Again, I tried to not beat myself up over it.

Now, it’s 2019, and what I’ve realized is that I’d stop beating myself up over reaching or not reaching goals if I didn’t have them at all.

I don’t need them.

It feels liberating to write that.

I don’t need goals.

I do have desires though. Two of them.

The first is to keep doing things that feel good.

The second is to stop doing things that don’t feel good.

Are these goals?

Perhaps.

Are they desires?

Definitely.

Something about the word ‘desire’ feels more welcoming to me than ‘goals.’ In fact, the word ‘goal’ brings up a strange feeling in me now.

For most of my life goals used to make me excited. Now, the thought of them turns me off.

It makes me heave a sigh and think, “Not goals again!” It makes me turn to my stuffed calico cat, give her a hug, and whisper, “Don’t people know that goals aren’t the way?” More on that in future posts, but suffice it to say, goals just don’t float my boat any more.

Does that mean I’m going to lounge on my couch and gaze at the beautiful trees and mountains all day? Well, yes, but that’s not all.

I’m going to go about each day in 2019 doing the things and habits that feel good (or that make me feel good after I do them). When something doesn’t feel good, I’m going to listen (instead of ignoring or rationalizing or thinking it away)…and stop doing it.

It sounds so simple but it’s harder than you think.

So, off I go into the new year with two desires at the core of my being: keep doing things that feel good and stop doing things that don’t. That’s it. I’ll let you know how it goes.

What about you? I’m curious what you think. Would you do me a favor and answer just two questions in the comment box below?

Do you set goals at the start of a new year? Why or why not?

Please comment and tell me what you think. I’d love to hear from you!

Art: Snow White and Rose Red by Natsuki Otani