I've sent out nearly 30 queries at the rate of about 3- 4 a week. Most of them have been by e-mail, where agents will accept that form. Following the submission guidelines, I've included synopsis and chapters where specified. So far all responses have been negative, something along the line of "not right for us" or "I'm not the agent for this novel." A few have commented positively on the the storyline, but said that the particular sub-genre is difficult to sell right now.
I continue to send, but have been thinking through an idea for a short story I'd like to submit to Writers Digest. I need to start writing again, rather than focusing of querying, I guess.
Be persistent, I.R. I've been around the block and back with the query. I originally sent out about thirty and got two requests, one of which is still outstanding. I kept refining it and reworking it. I took a month off and did lots of research to see where I was falling short. I eventually got my query where I wanted it, but I never liked my synopsis. I found that most writers can write novels all day long, but they can't condense it into a sensible synopsis to save their lives. I FINALLY put together a decent synopsis, and sent out twenty more queries, all in the last month. I have had six requests, three being from giant New York agencies that rep some big time authors. That said, I'm guessing I reworked the whole query at least fifteen times before this last one I'm satisfied with. I look back at my first few attempts - most drafts I didn't even send out - and the early ones were laughable. Keep at it.
Jerry11:58 AM EST