5 ways you know you are ready to query your manuscript
Writing a manuscript can be a long process. Some days you feel like you are on top of the world - you put down a solid 5,000 words, things are great; the next day, you are almost in tears, feel stuck in the weeds of one of your secondary characters, and wonder why you ever thought this writing thing was a good idea in the first place. All you want is to be published!! But, let’s say you've past all that - you’ve completed what you consider to be your final draft. Congratulations! The next step is to start querying agents or publishers. But how do you know when your manuscript is ready to be sent out into the querying trenches? Read on to learn from someone who has been there before, and had to learn a LOT very quickly.
1. You've completed multiple rounds of revisions.
Writing is a process, and the first draft is rarely the final one. You should have gone through at least a few rounds of revisions, including self-editing, beta-reader feedback, and (hopefully) professional editing. Make sure that you've refined your prose, tightened up the plot, and ensured that there are no major plot holes or inconsistencies. If you’ve done all the above, and feel like you've done everything you can to make your manuscript the best it can be, it's probably time to query.
2. You've received positive feedback from beta readers.
Beta readers are a crucial part of the writing process. These are people who read your manuscript before you start querying and give you feedback on things like plot, pacing, character development, and more. If you've received positive feedback from multiple beta readers, that's a good sign that your manuscript is ready to query. Of course, not everyone will love your book, but if you've received consistent feedback that your book is engaging, well-written, and enjoyable, that’s a good sign.
3. You've researched agents and/or publishers who represent your ‘type’ of book and who are accepting submissions.
Before you start querying, you should have a good idea of the agents or publishers you want to work with. There’s no use querying an agent who only represents YA when you have a 150,000 word science fiction novel. Research their submission guidelines, what kind of books they represent, and what their preferences are. (MSWL - short for manuscript wish list - is great for this.) This will help you tailor your query letters to each individual agent or publisher and increase your chances of getting asked for a partial manuscript, a full, or just landing an agent quickly. You should also note if they are currently accepting submissions. I kept a color-coded spreadsheet when I was querying that had agent names, dates of my query, response time/response, and noted if the agent was not accepting queries at the moment, but would later. Do your homework, and your query process will likely be shorter and more successful.
4. You're prepared to handle rejection.
Rejection is a part of the publishing process, and it's important to be mentally prepared for it. If you're afraid of rejection or feel like you'll be devastated if your book is rejected, you may not be ready to start querying. However, if you're prepared to handle rejection and understand that it's a normal part of the process, then go ahead. Maybe you’ll be one of those lucky people on Twitter who type “OMG - Got an agent my first week of querying! #blessed #agent” More likely, you’ll need to develop some thick skin. And you will.
5. You have a solid query letter and synopsis.
Your query letter and synopsis are your first impression with agents and publishers, so they need to be strong. If you've written a compelling query letter and synopsis that accurately convey the theme/message of your book and make it stand out from the crowd, you’re already ahead of the curve.
Truly knowing when your manuscript is ready to query is a subjective decision. However, if you've completed multiple rounds of revisions, received positive feedback from beta readers, researched your agents and/or publishers, are prepared to handle rejection, and have a solid query letter and synopsis, then go ahead. Good luck!
