Imagine this…
Your best friend (that you’d trust with your life) calls you on your cell phone. He invites you to meet him at a coffee shop to share some big news. You agree to meet. When you arrive, your friend gives you a huge hug and pulls out a chair for you at your favorite table in the corner. He’s already ordered a blueberry scone for you… and one of those fancy coffees you like (with whipped cream and cinnamon on top). Your friend is so excited that he can hardly contain himself, so you ask him what’s going on.
That’s when he tells you the big news…
You’ve been chosen to enter a contest sponsored by a new TV show. The prize is incredible—and the odds are decent. No, scratch that. The odds are EXCELLENT when you consider the potential outcome.
Your friend tells you that, if you participate, you could win a cash prize of at least $5,000. However, you might get more. You might win $10,000, $25,000, $100,000… or even $1,000,000 (although the odds of winning the bigger prizes are smaller, of course). Another perk of the contest is that you’ll make the world a better place in the process (the TV network will match any prize that you win and give the same amount to your favorite charity).
Here’s what you have to do to participate…
You simply have to go to one of those cookie-cutter housing developments. You know, the type with hundreds of homes that all look the same (or almost the same). They’re nice homes, in a nice neighborhood, worth about a million dollars each… so you don’t have to worry about your safety. And there won’t be any TV cameras, so you don’t have to worry about that, either. The TV network simply wants to do a “trial run” of the contest (to work out the logistics) before shooting the pilot episode. But they’re willing to give you a chance at the prize for your trouble.
Your friend continues explaining the rules.
When you get to the housing development, all you have to do is walk up to each house and knock on the front door. It will probably take you a day or two to cover all of them. But you can do it all at once, or divide it up. Your friend is even willing to go with you, so you don’t have to do it alone. And… the people living in the community are friendly (for the most part), plus they’ve all agreed to be part of the contest. That means you don’t have to worry about anyone slamming the door in your face or siccing their dog on you.
At this point you’re curious but skeptical… so you ask your friend why you were chosen for the contest. Your friend says that he just got a good job at the TV network sponsoring the contest. And his first assignment was to choose someone for the contest. He couldn’t do it because he’s an employee. But he thought you might be interested.
Would you do it?
Of course you would…
that’s not the real question.
The million-dollar question is: How many doors
would you knock on before giving up?
It might not seem like a big deal to knock on a few hundred doors, especially with a huge potential payoff. But I assure you, it’s harder than it sounds. When I was 16, I went door-to-door trying to sell special insulation for attics. It was made from a reflective material that the creators said was like the insulation used in the NASA space shuttle.
After 50 houses and no sales, I was tired.
My confidence was sagging.
And my feet hurt.
But I believed in myself. I believed in the product. And I kept going. Eventually, I got my first sale. Then another. That’s when I started thinking about how close I’d come to quitting at 50. I also wondered how many other salespeople had tried to make a sale and quit before getting lucky.
But it wasn’t luck…
It was painstaking persistence.
So let me ask you again,
this time with a twist.
What’s the number of literary agent doors you’re willing to knock on… before giving up on yourself, your book and/or your publishing career?
50, 250, 500, 800?
There are only 800 potential agents, maximum,
in any given genre… so that’s the most
you COULD send out.
Unless you said 800, I want to beg you to increase your number. Some of the BEST success stories with authors involve a high number. In fact, two seconds ago, in the middle of writing this article, I got a text from one of my coaching clients. She asked to get on the phone because she got her SECOND offer for representation from an agent. Now she needs my help to decide who to sign with.
How many queries did she have to send out
before she got the first offer?
205.
She almost gave up, too.
Several times…
But I begged HER to keep sending out queries.
She listened.
Not everyone does, of course.
I hope YOU will,
– Mark
* * *
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MARK MALATESTA is a former literary agent turned author coach. Mark now helps authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children's books) get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company 
MARK MALATESTA is a former literary agent turned author coach. Mark now helps authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children's books) get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company 
I know this works. I have used a similar philosophy, SWSWSWWH. Some Will Some Won’t So What, Who’s Next, and it does work. I’ve just completed my Novel, “The Park” and am now on my way towards looking for an Agent to represent me. I believe in my Novel, and I will keep “knocking on those doors” until it is published. Your article reinforced my belief in persistence, and I’ll continue to knock until I receive the prize – a Publishing Contract for my book! God Bless – And Good Advice!
Hi Vincent, I like it. A lot. Keep knocking, and keep us all posted. And have a great weekend! Mark
How wonderful it is to have someone confirm my thoughts. It’s trying to hear the constant negativity, especially from other writers.
Thank you Linda. As you know, it’s the only way to approach anything, including writing. Reject the negative people and negative talk. And stay positive. Oh, and have a great weekend. 😉 Mark
Very encouraging Mark – thank you.
Hi Jody, sitting here with Ingrid… both sending you our love. Have a great weekend and keep surrounding yourself with things (and people) that KEEP you encouraged. We believe in you. Mark
Good analogy Mark. I’m not one to give up easily. I’ll keep plugging.
HI Dick, you better not quit. Only good authors get nibbles. And those who get the most nibbles usually get the agent. Keep at it, and keep me posted. Mark
Playing the numbers is critical. On my days off through the years as a personal chef, I walked targeted neighborhoods, putting fliers or business cards at peoples’ doors. Some days, I could do 125, not stopping until I ran out of water. Even got one piece of business from these exercise marketing jaunts paid me back. Often, I’d get a call a year later, someone finding the flier in a drawer when it was needed. As in backgammon, so it is in writing: NEVER GIVE UP!!!! I’ve only just begun…:)
Hi Claudia, with that attitude… you’ll soon be enjoying a wonderful feast of a dinner… made by someone else… not you… as you celebrate your publishing deal. Keep believing. Mark
Wow….such an encouraging article! I believe that persistence and patience are two very important qualities for writers.
Thanks for the inspiring words!
Hi Vicky, glad you liked it. Now you’ve made MY day. Thanks for posting and have a wonderful weekend. Mark
I only wish there were 800 agents handling erotica. There are only 40 and I have been turned down by all of them. Some no longer handle erotica, some don’t rep anything already published, some no longer accepting new clients, some only accept referrals and worse, some act like they are too important to rep YOU. That means I only qualify for 20 of them. Then a horribly written piece of c**p called 50 shades makes 100 mil. Being an author is not all bonbons and bubblebath, let me tell you
Why not think of it as romance? After all what else is erotica (Eros is the Greek for love don’t forget)
Hi Debbie, there are… kind of. Hit up all the general fiction, mainstream fiction, and commercial fiction agents. Longer shot than erotic fiction agents, but worth a try. Your writing is original, like you… so don’t quit. 😉 Mark
Great question, Mark! As a former real estate agent I can attest door knocking is very hard! The hardest part is learning that every “No” brings you closer to that “Yes” and IF you quit, the very next door may have been THE one to ignite your ambition!
Hi Lynette, thanks for sharing your enthusiasm. Here’s to knocking on doors until we get what we want… in every part of our lives. Have a great weekend and thanks for posting. Mark
Hi Mark,
Sounds like you and your counselees are real candidates as honorary recipients of my
family name – LINDSAY. Our motto is “endure fort” . . . French for “endure in strength”.
On my website, as you remember, it’s the basis for success – in health, in relationships,
in creativity, in career.
Blessings!
Hi Raylyn, I love it. Here’s to enduring it and succeeding… together. Have a great weekend and thanks for posting! Mark
Where does one find a list of agents in a particular genre and what sort of inquiry letter should we send?
Hi Leona, visit our other site here and sign up for access to our Literary Agent Directory: http://literaryagencies.com. It’s the best directory available today, and there’s no charge to use it! Enjoy, and have a great weekend! Mark
Gorgeous Mark,
I believe that if an author has worked hard, poring months or years into their work, to send out quires (or a few hundred) is part of the journey. Your amazing work deserves to be seen, & sold. Sometimes it can take forever… just ask JK Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series that has sold between 400 & 450 million copies, making it one of the best-selling book series in history, she had to send out 64 query letters before a agent took her on. Great article Mark!
Ingrid
Much more gorgeous (inside and out) Ingrid. Half of what I know about hard work I learned from you. That’s a compliment, really. I mean that you always inspire me to think and go bigger. We can’t listen to the nos (by others or in our heads) if we’re going to live our dreams. Every day you remind me of that, whether you know it or not. 😉 Adore you my beloved wife. Mark
Mark – How very timely… and encouraging. I have many more queries to go. Thank you for making my journey seem not all that unusual.
Wishing all your clients the same luck.
Pat
Hi Pat, I should have written this article a year ago. Everyone needs to hear it. Thanks for continuing to believe and go for it. You’ve paid your dues more than most. May one of those nibbles soon turn into a big bite. Have a great weekend. Mark
Hi Mark,
Writing and publishing is a numbers game.
Take Care and May God Bless,
Jan
And I hope your number gets called soon. 😉
Have a great weekend!
Mark
I received one asking for the entire manuscript and another asked for 100 pages. Soooooooo, I will continue to send out the queries and see what these crazy literary agents want. Now, I’ve stooped to name calling. Geeze. Phyllis Uzelac
Hi Phyllis, you can mutter about the rejections. The secret is to only give yourself 2 minutes each to feel sorry for yourself, then get back to it. At least that’s how I try to deal with rejection. Keep going, you will get there. Your’e the real deal. Thanks for posting and have a great weekend. Mark
Thanks Mark. That is very good advice. It is also encouraging. Persistence does pay off, almost always. I am incredibly persistent in my “paying” job, so why not be as persistent in pursuing my dream? “Wouldn’t it be great…” could become, “How great it is!” Sometimes it takes a pep talk to keep up the good fight. Thanks again!
Hi Lynn, I know that persistence doesn’t always pay off… but it’s better than the alternative! Here’s to believing and being persistent. Thanks for posting and have a great weekend. Keep up the good fight. Mark
Mark I think that is awesome advice. No matter what job you are in sometimes you have to go through a whole lot of no’s to get to a yes. So when I was in sales my thought process was every no got me closer to a yes and as long as you never give up, there are huge benefits out there for you if you stick and stay.
Hi Greg, I love writers who’ve worked in sales. They understand how it works. Here’s to sticking and staying. And thanks for taking time to say hello. Have a great weekend. Mark
Thanks for the boost. And here I was feeling sad at 6. Foolish me. Back to writing that daggone proposal. Soon as i have it, I’ll be checkin in. I know enough to know I got a great book and need your help!
Got it!
Ha ha ha. 6. You’re just getting started! Glad I could put it in perspective for you. Looking forward to touching base with you when the time is right. Mark
What do I have to do to get you to speak to me? I have not given up and never plan on it, but I need to know what it is I am doing wrong? How do I get those agents to call me back? It is a frustrating industry I know this but I also know I want to tell my stories and they are worth reading. I have put my heart and soul into each of my books. I question sometimes if I run into Times Square naked with my book stuck to my head, would that work? I hope to hear from you real soon.
Leanne Krieger
Hi Leanna. 3 ways. Take your pick: https://literary-agents.com/book-marketing/. 😉 And have a great weekend! Mark
Great piece. My number is around 70, and I haven’t given up yet. . . but this advice helps.
Hi Ellen, we all need an energy boost on the writing road. I’m just glad that I can say I genuinely believe in you and your work. You will get there if you keep going. I believe. Mark
Thanks for the inspiration and pep talk!
Hi Karen, this particular article seems to strike a chord with lots of people. You never know what’s going to do it. Glad you liked it and thank you for being the first one to post a comment! Have a great weekend. Mark