Kyle
asked
Stacy Willingham:
How did you deal with the constant rejections? Where do you even start on how to find someone?
Stacy Willingham
It takes a lot of time to learn that rejection isn't personal, even though it feels like it is in the beginning. Everything about reading is subjective, so it started getting a lot easier once I realized that every rejection wasn't a rejection of ME or even my story; rather, that particular reader just wasn't my audience -- and that's okay! I don't fall in love with every book I read, either. Agents, especially, have to be extremely choosy when taking on a new client, so try to look at every rejection as you just slowly checking them off a giant master list, which means that with every rejection, you're getting closer and closer to the one that will eventually say yes. It's all progress.
When you're first getting started, make sure you're doing a lot of research on each agent before reaching out. Look for agents who represent the genre in which you write, and maybe even have some authors in their clientele who write in a similar way. Check out their Publishers Marketplace profile and see if they are talking about their "manuscript wishlist" on Twitter; that way, you can personalize your query and let the agent know that you chose them specifically, as opposed to sending out a mass query letter to every single one.
Good luck!
When you're first getting started, make sure you're doing a lot of research on each agent before reaching out. Look for agents who represent the genre in which you write, and maybe even have some authors in their clientele who write in a similar way. Check out their Publishers Marketplace profile and see if they are talking about their "manuscript wishlist" on Twitter; that way, you can personalize your query and let the agent know that you chose them specifically, as opposed to sending out a mass query letter to every single one.
Good luck!
More Answered Questions
Melinda
asked
Stacy Willingham:
I won a copy of your new book All the Dangerous Things in a Goodreads giveaway. I was notified on October 25, 2022 and it's been 8 weeks but I still haven't received my copy. I'm excited to get a copy as it was a BOTM pick but I didn't select it because of winning the giveaway. I don't know if you can do anything about it???
Cindy
asked
Stacy Willingham:
Please, PLEASE tell me you are working on a new book?? I just binged all three of your books in less than two weeks. I am OBSESSED with your writing style, your captivating stories and I ESPECIALLY love how you wrap things up at the end with a little bow. That's my favorite. What can we expect from you next?
April Lebo
asked
Stacy Willingham:
When I read A Flicker in the Dark I was amazed to find this was your first novel. The way you write had me guessing you had many other novels under you belt. I am astonished. Keep them coming you have a true gift. Can we expect the same sort of twist and turns in All the Dangerous Things?
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