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To every author querying in 2020, please know that queries are often the first thing to fall off the Must Do List when everything is in crisis and our current client list needs us. Also, every agent I know is aware of this and feels SUPER guilty about it. Please remember this:
1. In publishing, whether you’re waiting on an agent or an editor, no news most often = no news. Not necessarily bad news. If you see an agent or editor doing other stuff than emailing you back, that doesn’t mean we’re ignoring you. It means we’re people who can’t work 24/7/365.
2. That said, it’s okay to follow up. It’s expected. My clients check in with me, and I check in with them. When things get chaotic, I sincerely appreciate authors who reach out and remind me that it’s Thursday and not Tuesday. Some days, I feel like Google Calendar IS my brain.
3. Remember that in most cases, agents don’t get paid to read queries or submissions. We do it because we want to find new stories we love and people whose writing goals we can help make happen. Sometimes it’s the right story at the wrong time or the right goals/story needs work.
TLDR: 2020 has felt like “the wrong time” for so, so many reasons. A lot of agents are rethinking, repositioning, changing focus, etc. So please don’t take it personally if what we asked for 6-8 months ago isn’t what we want now. Don’t take pandemic passes to heart. Keep writing.
