To Query or Not To Query…

Morgan Hazelwood

Yes, I’m back here again. You’ve seen me ask this question before.

Once upon a time, way back in January, I was feeling pretty good. I’d exceeded my resolutions for 2016 and was confident in my abilities to rock a bunch of new years resolutions.

2 weeks later, I’d already tripped.

Since we’re halfway through the year, let’s see how I’m doing on those goals.

2017 Goals

1st Quarter:

  • Edit #WIP1 with editor                                                        Well, I got my notes from my editor in March. I finished that edit in May. And my new Critique Partner’s checking it for typos and things that confuse 1st time readers…
  • Finish rough draft of #WIP2  [minimum 5k a week until done]        DONE
  • Start querying #WIP1 & #PB1 [minimum 3 queries a month, each] NOPE
  • Post 3 book reviews on Amazon/Goodreads                    Does putting stars on the stuff I’ve read count?

2nd Quarter:

  • Edit #WIP2 [minimum 50 pages a week]                          Not even touched
  • Send #WIP2 to beta readers                                                                      NOPE
  • Query #WIP1 and #PB1 [minimum 3 queries a month, each]           NOPE
  • Write a short project                                                                                  NOPE
  • Balticon                                                                                                         DONE
  • Post 3 book reviews on Amazon/Goodreads                   Does putting stars on the stuff I’ve read count?

That’s a lot of red and very little green…

Why?

I decided I wasn’t done with my original Work-In-Progress. I decided I could make it BETTER, STRONGER, MORE POIGNANT. Also, when I ask people for help, it happens on their time frame, not mine. The feedback I’ve gotten has been invaluable and worth the wait.

The Questions Are, As Always:

  • Have I done enough?
  • Is there more I could do?
  • Is there more I should do?

Agents want to see your polished work, but perfectionism is the enemy of done.

I’m proud of my novel and my work on it. I really feel it’s ready. So, that leaves me one week out from PitchWars and sitting on the fence…

Am I ready to query agents?

Or should I query for a mentor?

…

YES.

I’m going to enter PitchWars and if I don’t make it? It’s time for me to query an agent!

Best of luck to everyone who’s entering!

Published by Morgan Hazelwood

Morgan Hazelwood (she/her) is a fantasy novelist who blogs and vlogs writing tips and writerly musings. She likes taking pictures of the sky, reading a good book, and ambiverting from her living room. She's also a voice for the fairy-tale audio drama: Anansi Storytime and its sister podcast: Legendsmith. She's been known to procrati-clean her whole house and alphabetize other people's bookshelves.

3 Comments

  1. OH THANK GOD you reminded me pitch wars is coming up!!!!! Also, I relate to this post in every way… especially the part about “is it ready to query yet?” Such a struggle every time…

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    Reply

  2. OH THANK GOD you reminded me pitch wars is coming up!!!! Also, I relate to everything about this post – especially the whole “to query or not to query dilemma”…. it’s so hard to know if an MS is actually ready!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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