Explaining the Query Process to a Non-writer
Writers understand the agony of querying. The brutal waiting. The doubts about writing skills. People who aren’t authors have a hard time understanding the process. And when I explain it, I get that look that seems to say, “Why would you put yourself through so much pain?”
I had a great career with a lot of personal success. I worked hard to solve some very unique challenges in the infrastructure world. My career started with helping engineers communicate complicated ideas to non-technical audiences. Finding the right words has always been my greatest skill.
So, here’s how I talk about the querying process to my friends: think about the last dress you bought. (And yes, I change it to "shirt" if I’m talking to a man.) What process did you use? Did you go through many on a rack? Look through pictures online? If you were in a store, did you try on several to see which one looked best on you? Ever pick one and think, “This is cute, but it doesn’t look right on me.” Or, “This isn’t the look I was going for.”
It’s similar with agents. Hundreds of writers pitch their books to see if an agent wants to try it on. First, it has to be something they’re looking for. Then it has to make business sense: can they sell it? Lastly, they have to want to immerse themselves in it. I know authors who went through several rounds of revisions before their book went on submission – which is like the query process all over again but with publishers.
It’s not a judgment competition on the merits of an author’s work. It’s a “can I make money if I spend my time on this?” decision.
To be honest, all the rejections sting a little bit. We’ve been taught from an early age that “no” means something negative. But in the querying world, it can mean many different things. The pitch isn’t right. I said it was a cocktail dress, but it’s more business casual. I didn’t clarify the stakes: what happens if the main character can’t do something, and why. Each rejection gives me a clue that something isn’t working.
Like most things in life, you can’t fix a problem if you don’t acknowledge one exists. Luckily, I’m in two writing groups, so I can ask for help. These resources are critical for feedback.
And yes, the process may be brutal, but I’ve never been afraid of working hard. I’ve seen what happens when you keep working at something to make it better. Someday, I’ll find my dream agent, and we’ll work together to go through the process all over again. Writing as a profession requires a high tolerance for pain.