I’m very pleased to welcome Lauren Boyd author of the contemporary romance Baking Love (see my Goodreads review here). She is sharing some great advice on what to do before submitting…welcome, Lauren!
What You Should Know Before You Query Your Manuscript
So your manuscript is finished and ready to query? Congratulations! Before you do, here are a few helpful hints you might want to keep in mind:
Make sure to follow the guidelines of the literary agents and publishers you’re querying. Agents and publishers generally lay out what they are—and are not—looking for on their websites. Submitting your work to an agent/publisher who doesn’t specialize in your genre, submitting your work to more than one agent at a literary agency, and/or submitting your work to an agent/publisher who is currently closed to queries could all result in a rejection letter. Which leads me to my next point…
In this business, rejection is common—dare I say, the norm. If you’re a writer, it’s almost a certainty that you will meet rejection in one form or another along the way (and quite possibly, on multiple occasions). I know I did. Back when I wrote for kids, Highlights for Children accepted four of my stories for publication—but rejected more than twenty others. I submitted almost as many children’s picture book manuscripts to agents and publishers. A couple of those manuscripts came close to being accepted for representation or publication, but ultimately, none of them were. Rejection is a tough part of the game, but totally worth it when that agent or publisher accepts your work.
Don’t call a literary agent (or a publisher, for that matter) to check on the status of your query. You’ll find this statement on the website of most literary agencies and publishers. The good news is that these websites also normally tell you how long you can expect to wait before hearing from them with their decision. Based on my research, if you haven’t heard from them within the time frame they request, a follow-up email is reasonable. A phone call, however, is not.
I wish you the best of luck along your path to publication!
Any advice you can add? Any experiences you’d like to share?
Baking Love blurb:
Three years ago, Kate Sullivan fell in love with her best friend, Eric Wagner. Before she could tell him, he abruptly ended their friendship. Now Eric has walked into Kate’s bakery and back into her life—but why? Is he here to confess his love for her?
No. He’s here to order his groom’s cake. He’s getting married…to another woman.
Baking Love is available as an ebook at the MuseItUp bookstore, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple, and other ebook retailers, and in paperback from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
About the Author:
Lauren Boyd writes romance that entertains and provides escape from daily life–and sometimes, you might just learn a thing or two. Connect with her at www.laurenboyd.webs.com.
Great advice, Lauren! Thanks for guesting on the blog today. 🙂
Hey, Katie! Thanks for having me on your blog today! What a pleasure to be your guest! 🙂
Hey, Katie! Thanks so much for having me on your blog today! It’s a pleasure to be here! 🙂
Great advice, Lauren. Love the sound of this book. Heading off to look for it now!
Hey, Mary! It’s great to see you here! Thanks for stopping by and commenting! I hope my advice is helpful – and I hope you love Baking Love! 🙂
I think you’ll really enjoy Baking Love, Mary.
Great advice.
This book is on my “to be read” list. I can’t wait to read it!
Yes, enjoy Baking Love, Tammy!
Hey, Tammy! Thanks for stopping by – it’s great to see you here! I’m excited Baking Love is on your “to be read” list! I hope you enjoy it, and I can’t wait to hear your thoughts once you finish! 🙂
Definitely great advice, and what a fun-sounding story!
Hey, Katie! It’s great to meet you! Thanks for stopping by and for your kind words! 🙂
Hi, Katie! Thanks for stopping by.
This sounds like a wonderful book! The title has been calling me name for a little while. Better answer.
I love the title of Lauren’s story too…such a perfect fit for it.
My husband came up with the title right before I queried agents and publishers, haha! 🙂
Hey, Suzanne! It’s great to see you here! Thanks for your kind words! I hope you love Baking Love! 🙂
Hi Lauren,
Nice post. And remember to read those guidelines carefully.
Oh, I love escapism. Your book sounds like a fun read. Hmm, wonder if Eric will go through with his wedding. I’ll have to find out.
Thanks for sharing.
Yes, definitely read those guidelines. I’ve read that just following an editor’s or agent’s guidelines puts a writer a step above a good portion of the slush.
Thanks, Katie – that is good information to know! 🙂
Hey, Lorrie! It’s great to see you! I hope things are going well for you and your family these days. Thanks for stopping by and for your thoughts! I hope you love the story! 🙂
Good advice! Baking Love is on my Kindle right now, waiting TBR!
Jane x
Hi, Jane! It’s great so many people have Baking Love in the TBR list.
Hey, Jane! It’s great to see you here! I’m so excited that Baking Love is on your Kindle! Please let me know your thoughts after you read it!!! 🙂
Great points, Lauren! Loved Baking Love 🙂
Hi, Meradeth! 🙂
Hey, Meradeth! It’s great to see you here! I’m so glad you loved Baking Love! 🙂