Now Querying

My book proposal is out in the world!

Holy shit: I finally sent the first batch of queries for my memoir to literary agents! This deeply personal story I’ve been ripping word-by-word straight from my soul since November is actually in the inboxes of people who could love it or hate it or completely ignore it! (It’s fine, I’m fine, everything’s fine.)

Two trusted people read my book proposal this week and gave me great suggestions and positive feedback (thank you, I love you!), so I felt confident enough to go for it. Then the very first query I sent triggered an auto-reply that said the agent was traveling and all queries would be deleted unread until they return next week. It reminded me of the “Failure” bounce-back I got when I sent my first freelance story pitch in February. This time, it didn’t rattle me; I just laughed and went on to send my other queries.

Here’s a quick recap of the difference between freelance pitches and queries, for my non-writer friends:

• Freelance pitches are emails I’m sending to magazine and web editors describing stories I’d like to write for their publications. I’m mostly pitching personal essays about some aspect of my mother’s Alzheimer’s journey. My goal is to build some street cred on this topic and reach a wider audience than I do with my blog.

• Queries are emails I’m sending to literary agents about my memoir. Every query is different. Some agents just want to see a query letter, which includes a brief synopsis of my memoir, the audience for it, how it fits into the marketplace, and a little about me. Other agents also want to see a sample chapter or two, plus some or all of the book proposal with the initial query.

If a literary agent likes what they see in my query, they’ll contact me to request the full proposal, or to discuss the book, or something! And if they like what comes out of that, they’ll offer to represent me. And if I accept their offer and we work together to refine my book proposal, the agent will submit it to publishers. And if a publisher wants to publish it, I’ll get a book deal. And if I get a book deal, I’ll write the rest of this book and you can buy it!

Querying literary agents is the first step on the long, winding path to publication. It feels lovely to be taking this step at the same time the first signs of spring are appearing in the Pacific Northwest.

I wrote last year about taking on off-season from running over the winter and hunkering down in the gym to build my strength instead:

There is something deeply peaceful about matching the rhythm of nature in this way—seeking refuge from the cold and darkness to protect oneself. Long before we notice the first tender shoots sprouting in spring, there is quiet work happening underground; that, too, is growth. It feels right to emerge now alongside ripe buds, restored and ready to bloom.

Dramatic? Yes. An accurate representation of how I feel right now? Also yes. I’ve been sowing the seeds for this book all winter long, and now they’re beginning to sprout. I’m so proud of the work I’ve put in so far, but there’s still a long way to go. My job now is to nurture these little book sprouts and partner with an experienced gardener who can help them bloom to their best and brightest potential. (Too far with the analogy?)

Very proud of my hydrangea last summer!

The agents I’ve chosen to query first would all be excellent partners. I learned from fellow aspiring authors on QueryTracker that one of the agents is a quick responder (within a day or two), so I figured it’ll be mentally helpful to get at least one speedy reply either way. Another is a quick responder only if she’s interested. The others likely won’t even read my query for weeks. Agents receive tons of queries and have an endless slush pile to sort through. Some of them say they’ll respond within eight weeks if interested, or not at all. It’s a waiting game! I’ll try not to refresh my email all day, every day.

In the meantime, I’ll keep sending freelance writing pitches, start writing the next chapter of my book, and mentally prepare to write my first approved freelance story. Did I forget to mention…?

I got a freelance pitch approved!

I followed up again on the email I received last week, and the editor confirmed she’ll assign the story for me to write for publication this spring or summer! It’s for a specific column that already has several other pieces waiting to be published, so she asked me to circle back with her in May.

My cautious brain tells me there’s still so much that could go wrong with this opportunity. The editor could change her mind. I could write the piece and she could decide not to publish it. But I choose to believe it’ll happen!

I felt so frustrated with this pitching process a few weeks ago. I cried to my therapist that I just needed a win to get some momentum. This is it, baby! I need to be patient, but I’ll cling to this bit of success as I continue throwing myself out there in various ways to editors and agents.

Thank you!

To everyone who reads this, thank you so much for your support. This newsletter has kept me accountable to complete my book proposal, and your encouragement has buoyed me in my lowest moments.

There are more highs and lows to come; hopefully more of the former than the latter! But I’ll keep trucking and reporting weekly from the frontlines of this writing (gardening?) journey. My greatest hope is to create something beautiful to honor my mother, and to share with you all. 🌱