In this episode, Jeff sits down with author Dixie Williams to talk about querying and their experiences trying to sell their work.
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AI Summary of the Episode
Based on the sources, the conversation between Jeff Elkins and Dixie Williams focuses on the challenges of querying, the different paths to publication, and managing the emotional toll of the writing industry.
The following is a bullet point summary of their conversation, highlighting the specific tips and advice they shared:
Querying Best Practices
- Target the Right Time: Jeff shares advice he received to avoid querying film managers on Mondays (people may be hung over) or Fridays (people are heading to bars), though he notes this may differ for literary agents. He suggests sending queries so they hit inboxes at the start of the workday (e.g., 8:00 AM).
- Personalize the Approach: Dixie recommends researching agents to find specific “hooks,” such as a shared interest in “Southern sassiness”. This involves writing a personalized first paragraph explaining why that specific agent would like the book.
- Include Key Components: A strong query should include a title, a one-sentence cocktail pitch or logline, comparative titles (“comps”), a one-paragraph story explanation, and a brief bio.
- Follow Submission Rules: Never send a manuscript or attachments unless they are specifically requested.
- The “Kaleidoscope” Pitching Method: Jeff suggests adjusting the “lens” of your pitch based on the recipient. For example, highlight Christian themes for Christian agents and focus on women’s fiction elements for secular agents; both are true but tailored to the audience.
- Persistence and Volume: Jeff mentions that he and his partner set a goal of 500 queries for their screenplay, noting that success is a numbers game.
- Follow Up: If you do not hear back within a reasonable timeframe (keeping in mind that 3–6 months is a standard wait), it is appropriate to send a polite follow-up email to check on the status of your query.
Strategies for Success
- Attend In-Person Conferences: Jeff strongly advocates for meeting agents face-to-face. Dixie found this highly effective, reporting that all 10 agents she spoke with at a conference requested her manuscript.
- Identify Your “Bucket” (Goal): Jeff advises authors to decide which of three goals they are pursuing, as this dictates their path:
- Bucket 1 (Hobby): You love writing and just want the book out (Self-publish on Amazon with low investment).
- Bucket 2 (Fame/Notoriety): You want to be widely read (Traditional publishing is the best route).
- Bucket 3 (Career/Money): You want to replace your income (Self-publishing as a small business is often faster, though difficult).
- Play to Your Strengths: Since Dixie had a 100% success rate for manuscript requests during in-person meetings, Jeff advises her to “do more of it” rather than relying solely on cold emails.
- Keep a Meeting Notebook: After meeting an agent or editor, immediately write down the details of the conversation so you can reference them in future communications.
- Innovate: If a specific query style isn’t working after several weeks, “change it up”—try a different title, a different opening, or a more eye-catching approach.
The Reality of Publishing
- Self-Publishing is a Business: Jeff warns that self-publishing is not just “flicking a switch”; it requires building a team for cover design, formatting, and marketing. He suggests that if an author lacks the capital for these services, they should stick to querying.
- Consider “Small House” or Hybrid Presses: For those with resources who are tired of querying, Jeff mentions options like Bold Story Press, where authors invest in their work but work with professional teams from the “big five” publishing houses.
- Start the Next Project: While waiting for responses on one book, start writing the next one. This keeps the momentum going and provides more opportunities for success.
Emotional and Mental Advice
- Take a Reset: Dixie’s husband recommends taking a “two-week reset” when the frustration of querying becomes overwhelming to help gain perspective.
- Manage Expectations regarding “Magic Sauce”: Both agree that there is no single “right” way to query because you are dealing with diverse, often illogical human beings.
- Take Pride in the Accomplishment: Jeff reminds Dixie that finishing a novel puts her in the “top tier” of writers, regardless of whether it is picked up by an agent immediately.
- Acknowledge the Pain of Hope: They discuss how “hope is heartache” when it doesn’t pay off immediately, but emphasize that the only way to guarantee failure is to stop trying.
To put it simply, querying is like fishing in a vast, unpredictable ocean; you can improve your chances by using the right bait for specific fish and casting as many lines as possible, but you must also be prepared for long periods of waiting before you get a bite.