I signed with a literary agent 🌱 querying tips, handling rejection & everything I wish I knew

check out my substack for an early peek at these writing discussions:
⟡ kmfajardo.substack.com/p/sign...
⟡ full query stats included in this post ^
querying is a turbulent, anxiety-inducing process. I hope this video can help paint a full picture of my own journey as a writer pursuing traditional publishing. these are my lessons, reflections and tips. if you are currently querying/planning to query soon, remember that the value of your work is never defined by rejections. publishing is luck, timing, stars aligning, etc. wishing you all the best 🌈
✨thank you to Lynn and Kelley for helping me throughout the querying process!
‪@lynndjung‬
‪@kelleyiswriting‬
jewellery I'm wearing (gifted by Ana Luisa): shop.analuisa.com/kz-krismf
⟡ discount code: KRISMF20 at checkout for 20% off
~
timestamps:
0:00 intro
0:42 querying writers stay strong
1:44 how do you know if you're query ready
3:45 revision process
7:25 pitching a weird book
9:24 sci fi isn't an easy sell
10:18 querying basics
11:42 querying BEGINS and so does rejection
13:40 my lowest point... and then a turning point
16:27 a tough rejection
17:52 the first offer
20:23 what to do when you get an offer
21:48 a bunch of agent responses
22:52 trust your GUT
24:47 the second offer
28:37 reflecting on both offers
29:29 the third offer
34:40 choosing which offer to accept
36:45 luck and timing
37:29 social media
38:14 additional query letter tips
43:40 manifesting good things for lh!!
~
earrings (gifted by Ana Luisa):
⟡ shop.analuisa.com/kz-krismf
⟡ discount code: KRISMF20 at checkout for 20% off
_____
/ about /
i'm kris (she/her), a speculative fiction writer documenting my writing process, ongoing projects and chatting about craft ☀️
/ where to find me /
💌 newsletter: kmfajardo.substack.com/
website: kmfajardo.com
twitter: / km_fajardo
instagram: / krismfajardo
🎧 music:
The Millennial Club - Pray For Me - thmatc.co/?l=7D5C9ED2
#authortube #writing

[@wrestlingwithwords]

Huge congrats! Having worked on the receiving side of submission I will echo what you're saying in that what really gets people's attention are those first pages. Your bio and even the query letter itself are sometimes secondary to the story/the pages you've submitted when being considered for representation.

[@laurenct]

Listening to this made the querying process feel a whole lot less untouchable. CONGRATS Kris! 🎉🍾

[@PsychOnlineAldrian]

Congrats! There's something to be said about rewriting a novel from the ground up! It all counts.

[@Loveamour699]

I was JUST watching your last video then I saw this video and I literally SCREAMED. Congratulations! 🎉 Edit: I found myself having a hard time finding comparison titles as well. I like to look at it as a positive because it will be the first of its kind and one day someone will use the book as a comparison novel

[@ShaelinWrites]

HUGE congratulations ahh!!! I loved getting to hear your querying story and especially what it was like querying such a genre-bendy project! I think a lot of people feel like there's no place for their more experimental work in the market so might self-reject before they even try, so it was so cool hearing what the feedback/process was like for a project like that

[@KrisMF]

Thank you so much Shaelin!!✨😭 YES the self-rejection is sooo real. I wish I hadn't felt too dejected so early on in the process because the "market" is volatile and unpredictable lol. I'm so glad that there are still agents willing to take a chance on The Weird stuff!

[@ShaelinWrites]

@@KrisMF this is so real because *before* I even started querying I had a huge breakdown about it (lol) because I was so overwhelmed by the 'this is the worst time ever to be querying' talk constantly on twitter, which made it sooo much harder to start than needed!

[@indiadavid3417]

Congratulations! Thank you so much for this video. I don't see many authors going this in-depth into their querying processing, and seeing this made me feel a lot better about going into the process.

[@Lorna-JWB]

This is one of the most helpful agent/querying/offer videos I have viewed. Plus I think I identify with the authors structure and desires for securing an agent.

[@kekayowrites]

Ah so excited to watch!!! Congrats!!!💫🎉

[@thelivichronicles]

this is so amazing and well deserved but also so so inspiring!!! thank you for sharing your story!

[@reezers101]

Congrats!!!🎉🎉🎉🥳🥳🥳Thanks so much for sharing your process.

[@maliabeady8145]

Congratulations!! 🎉 So excited for you! 😊

[@glitchscribble44]

CONGRATULATIONS! I'm so happy for you!🤗

[@annasneddon44]

I can’t even describe how helpful this video was. THANK YOU !! and congrats !!

[@BrielleJuliet]

This video was so engaging and your video quality is top tier. New subscriber here. Congrats so much on signing!!

[@Evybooks]

Congrats Kris, so happy for you! Thank you for breaking down the process for us, It'll definitely help me.

[@scarlett0512]

I have been watching your videos for the past two weeks, and have seen a few of your ups and downs. This is HUGE! Congrats!

[@cassie_hart]

Huge congrats!!!! I'm so excited for you, and how freaking epic to have not one, or two, but three agents wanting to sign you.

[@wordcharm2649]

Congrats! I love how much detail you provided in this video. Very informative.

[@danielleezzo]

This was such a thoughtful video. I really appreciate your detailed explanation of your experience!

[@bttmofthebrrlstudios]

What a roller coaster you were on! I don't envy you the stress of those couple of weeks, but I'm so happy things turned out! Sincere congratulations on signing, wishing you and LH the best!

[@TrishnaDamodar]

Congratulations✨all the very best with this phase! It was an informative video and truly insightful. Thank you. I am currently in the querying phase😅

[@zivmontenegro8303]

Filipino-Canadian here too and I wrote a YA Romantasy. Your video truly inspired me❤❤ thanks🎉 also, congrats 👏

[@mateaukalua4426]

That's crazy I am writing a mystery with an Asian protagonist. I think it would sell well just off the cover and premises but I could be wrong. 😂

[@Idd1eforTaylorSwift4256]

First of all congratulations!!!! I am so happy for you! I had never watched a video about the querying process where the author in question was speaking positively about the process. And as an aspiring author that was very discouraging to me because I felt like this process was something impossible to win. After watching this video I understand that it’s hard and that not everyone will have the same experience you had. I mean three offers in a relatively small amount of time????? You go girl! But this definitely made being signed with an agent seem like something possible. And this got me very excited to write more and don’t give up on this dream. Honestly thank you for speaking about this, and congrats again!!! ❤

[@scarlettdownsiswriting]

This made me so much less afraid of querying!!! Also CONGRATS!!!!!!!

[@johnmclean6380]

Guerying now-this vid was truly a godsend for my soul, thank you! ❤❤❤

[@heyyitssj]

Omg thanks so much for sharing your journey! So helpful!

[@swatibaruah6986]

Congratulations! This is super helpful 📚✨

[@AuthorAKLim]

Congratulations!!! Manifesting the absolute best vibes for you going forward in your publishing journey 🎉🥳🍾 I'm planning to start querying at the start of 2024 after finishing up some revisions, so I truly appreciate your insights and transparency about the process. So glad you found a champion for your book, and best of luck going on sub!!

[@KrisMF]

Thank you!! super nervous about sub so I appreciate the encouragement! :) it's very exciting to be starting your querying journey soon - wishing you the best of luck as well 💛

[@Lara_Ameen]

Wow! Congratulations again! What a journey you went on! I love your comps for LH! I love BLACK MIRROR and THIS IS HOW YOU LOSE THE TIME WAR! I want to query my PhD dissertation novel (Adult Urban Fantasy) after a few more revisions, so I’m hoping to start querying later this Fall or early winter. This was so helpful! I love your excerpt, too! I guess what surprised me the most about your querying journey is that it seemed pretty fast (a few months). I have a traditionally published author friend who published her first novel (YA Historical), then left her agent in 2021 and has since been querying 2 more books (YA Fantasy and currently Adult Historical Romance) and she’s been querying the Adult book since earlier this year. No bites yet. I beta read most of her books. But I know everyone’s journey is so different! Congratulations again and best of luck on sub! Thank you for this informative video! 💜

[@kelleyiswriting]

KRIS I WAS SMILING THROUGHOUT THE VIDEO!!! Thanks for being so detailed and sharing all the steps of your process. I'm super excited to see your author career THRIVE

[@KrisMF]

thanks Kelley!! 🥺💛 you got this!! big things ahead for your projects, I just know it🥳

[@promisewrites]

I know it's a bit late, but biggest congratulations, Kris! It's so good to hear that the second agent was so supportive of Local Heavens-after all, that is the book you were trying to query. It's also a relief to hear that there are agents that do have that editorial style, since it would help you plenty further down the publishing timeline. All the best!

[@joevaldez6457]

I got a tremendous amount of value from this video, Kristen. I took 5 pages of notes. It's remarkable to me but perhaps not surprising the minute that first agent validated you by offering representation, multiple other agents started paying attention. It's super helpful to know how to schedule when multiple agents are pursuing you. Congratulations on hitting so many milestones that other writers take years or decades to achieve!

[@LindsayPuckett]

ahhh congrats kris! Love seeing trad pub hopefuls find AMAZING agents!

[@KrisMF]

Thank you so much Lindsay!! 💛☺

[@jameliajohnrose5445]

Congratulations!! 🎉

[@saraawynnie]

Congratulations, Kris, this is dreamy!! And thank you so much for this video, it's so insightful

[@KrisMF]

thanks sara!!! 💛 the call is definitely something I needed help with from other writers who've been through the process already :') maybe down the line I'll make another video or a blog post about it!

[@saraawynnie]

@@KrisMF that would be such a big help, thank you, I look forward to it! 🤗

[@lynndjung]

KRIS I'm so late but thank you so much for making this video! Honestly following your journey has given me so much more hope for querying as a process and as something I can do again (eventually, lol). The industry is so broken but it's amazing to see such a wonderfully talented voice such as yourself and a book as phenomenal as LH make it through

[@KrisMF]

definitely an excruciating process 💀 I know I got so immensely lucky, especially because of your help!!🥺

[@lynndjung]

@@KrisMF 🫶 i feel like i'm so lucky too having you on the other side of things!!

[@finreads]

congrats!!

[@MrK.A]

Fantastic video. Very informative for fellow authors like me in the query trenches. Congratulations and best of luck.

[@Dolores_Madil]

Congratulations so excited for you

[@LiselleSambury]

Congrats on signing with an agent!! Very interesting to hear about your querying process too. I’ve been out of the querying game for a bit so I’m always really intrigued about the current experiences that people are having. And your story sounds so cool too! Looking forward to seeing more of your journey ☺️

[@KrisMF]

Ahhh thank you Liselle!! ☀ I've heard that querying has changed so much in the past few years but this current anxiety-inducing chaos is all I've ever known haha :')

[@LiselleSambury]

@@KrisMF the anxiety was always there so that hasn’t changed haha but it’s very cool and interesting to see you got that request from your for fun post vs when I was querying pitch contests were at like potentially their greatest height so a lot of us were purposely posting for that result but then it eventually got overwhelming for agents, I think 😅

[@KrisMF]

interesting!!! I think because twitter is in utter shambles this year, I really wasn’t expecting anything to leave my immediate circle 😭 definitely got super lucky there.

[@LiselleSambury]

@@KrisMF publishing is so funny that way haha

[@Neil-writer-author]

Now I'm excited to query again.

[@Neil-writer-author]

I queried three agents today

[@malikamaybe]

Congrats, congrats! I'm so glad you made this video! I don't plan to query until January/February, but listening to querying stories and knowing I can come back to them is invaluable. And I'm on a current overhaul from a first draft I wrote a couple years ago so I really enjoyed the discussion of your process. I wish I knew how two weeks became the industry standard for 'offer of representation' alerts and decisions. I do think I might ask for three (or 2.5) when I get to that point? The third offer coming in the day before?? The stress???? Such a green flag for the agent to say "I'm never gonna guarantee you anything" like I adore that. That snippet was beautiful and vivid and I wish you all the luck in the world with submissions!

[@KrisMF]

thanks so much!! yeah two weeks is standard but I'd say there's no harm at all in asking for more time :) getting multiple offers after your first offer isn't that unheard of so you never know what'll happen! wishing you all the best on your querying journey next year ✨

[@malikamaybe]

@@KrisMF You're too kind! I'm hoping it'll work out, but I do know I can't control a lot once I hit send lol. And I totally forgot to say that your advice to not query quietly is such a great tip. I did that the last time and whew, not good lol. Gonna keep that in mind this go around

[@joonfanatic2140]

Congratulations 🥳🎊

[@tiongenakazwe]

Congratulations!!!

[@AdamFishkin]

Loving that you acknowledge what the process tends to be in practice. Feedback is a trickier thing than many would assume before they get beta readers, and especially before they query. Do you have a vision for what you're doing? Or is the material super malleable in the hands of betas to the point of you only being satisfied with what they validate? In my sketch comedian days, and again in my time as a filmmaker / executive of a small company, there was this bizarre middle ground where it was about having the ultimate vision but also gathering the collective opinions into the perfect stew. At times on any given script, my position was more of an editor than a writer ... but there's the vicious cycle when you can't generate the right idea in the first place, and either a scene or an entire film just falls into an abyss. To know what is or isn't working, you have to put an insane amount of trust in your collaborators and on at least one of you having access to the right idea. Not sure if that makes sense, but the point is: if it's a novel and you've only had yourself to trust, getting beta reads for the 1st time will be a jarring step. If it makes you feel better when pitching the weirdness: Warner Bros. refused to trust Ridley Scott's version of "Blade Runner" which had a languid, methodical pace. When it was released to theaters in 1982, it had been forcibly re-cut to have more emphasis on action and a voiceover (a microphone in Harrison Ford's head, so to speak) to spoon-feed the audience what he was thinking. 1982 was a different time, but what doesn't change is that an audience can tell when you're disrespecting them. It bombed when competing with Spielberg's "E.T.", but when the Director's Cut was released 10 years later it proved what Ridley and his team knew the whole time: people are open to what you give them when it comes from the heart. [my thoughts on the first 10 min. of your video ... more comments might follow]

[@Auxik]

Congratulations on getting your agent! I've sent about 15 query letters since last December and I've only recently received rosponses. Form rejections, but it's been a terribly long time.

[@0chuklz0]

Congratulations on getting an agent. I have some idea how difficult that can be as I am in the middle of querying for my second novel. I ended up self-publishing the first one after not finding an agent, now I am more determined to find one for this novel. Some people may praise self-publishing, but not from my perspective. It was interesting to hear your comments about the difficulty of getting a scifi story picked up, as my first novel was a contemporary scifi. This second one is a more typical fantasy tale, and you have given me a sliver of hope that it will be more appealing to agents. I hope your novel succeeds brilliantly.

[@kayri687]

congratulations!

[@juliotorres5659]

Good information -- I'm getting ready.

[@SuperExtrovert]

Congrats‼️

[@LeahRummel]

Congratulations!! 🎉 what a wild ride of a story that must have been insane to experience 😂 this has inspired me to get back to sending out my queries again 💛

[@stiqula]

Congrats! Sounds like you've got something special and are in good hands! Just wondering, what was your word count at querying?

[@cloudyyy_0.0]

This really helped identify the issue with my query letter, the hook i have mentioned currently is kinda might have to churn through the manuscript a bit to find the ACTUAL hook. Finding a hook is hard when all the major thread seems exciting to me maybe i should other people 😭

[@author.gabrielavrivera]

This is so insightful thank you! I'm currently in the midst of querying. What questions did you ask the clients of the agents?

[@christinabriggs1782]

Im in the querying trenches now with my first childrens book for early readers. Hoping the get at least one yes but prepared for the no. 😬🙏 im still in the beta reader process for my first YA SFF. I finished the novel four yrs ago, and finally finished revising it and now beta and get it to publish hopefully. Congrats on your novel.

[@iannivy]

Hi! Would love to know where you got your glasses, they look fabulous!

[@mateaukalua4426]

I stopped info dumping in my Murder Mystery. I have a lot of action going on but it feels contrived. A lot of it's just random action scenes. Sometimes anything happening is better than nothing.

[@TheHoneyPott]

I swear I've been meaning to write this comment for ages 😭 First, congratulations for publishing Sway With Me !!! From the snippet I read, and to literally no one's surprise, it was excellent. I genuinely feel like there's so much to learn from your writing. Also, huge congrats on signing with an agent, especially one that felt right for you 🎉🎉🎉. I'm really happy for you ❤. I've said before how obsessed I am with Local Heavens, just from the crumbs I know about it (LOL), so I'm sending you all the positive energy to reach your goals and aspirations with the project !! And finally, happy birthday !!! 🥳😂

[@KrisMF]

thank you soooo much !! 🥰

[@joelsansone4008]

Thank you for your KZbin advice. My problem is I first used a vanity publisher. Now I have written a second book. sort of a continuation. Can this be a new start, is it possible to querry for a sequel? Do I have them read the first book first? I'm at a loss?

[@KrisMF]

i’m not familiar with vanity presses unfortunately but i’d review whats in your contract and see if you still have the rights to republish your work. if so, you can consider querying that first novel instead of the sequel. if not, it’s tough to query a sequel unless you’ve set it up such that it can be read as a standalone (as in, the reader does not need to have read the first book to understand this second book).

[@cloudyyy_0.0]

7:34 same issue 😭😭😭👍

[@C.DWoods]

💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚

[@cloudyyy_0.0]

Idk which genres are easy to query should i just write fae romance all my works are kind of....not easy to market ig

[@mateaukalua4426]

I heard that as writers we need to write to market otherwise enjoy being an indie writer.

[@AdamFishkin]

[brief continuation] Your querying story is as nuts as you promised. One of those happy accidents where you're left saying to yourself "... decisions, decisions ..." and the choice you faced between the 2nd and 3rd offer strikes me as legitimately tough. Your descriptions of both of them make a strong case. Part of me feels for publishers. They have the can't-beat-em-so-join-em issue with internet platforms like the Tikkety Tokker and it's eroded some much-needed legitimacy from the market. On the other hand, they are profiteers who have the most direct influence over the industry they (and their authors) must contend with. "Reap what you sow", as the saying goes. Congratulations to you, Kris, as you move on to the next step.