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 
If I had followed your advice 20 years ago, I could have had a dozen books in print today. Instead, I accepted the advice (no, urging) of the Writer’s Digest publishers to query just one agent at a time. It left me with about five responses in a year, and then my themes became outdated.
The good news — those themes have become relevant again, and you’re here, offering much better advice. It’s now up to me to follow it. Thanks!
Hi David, I wish I would follow my advice more often too. 😉 Seems we all need constant reminders like this. It was good for me just writing it. Had the same effect as it probably did on everyone reading it. Except it took me much longer! And yes, sending out queries one at a time is ridiculous. Keep doing what you’re doing. Fortune is smiling on you by making your themes timely again, so don’t quit. Mark
As you know, Mark, I was discouraged when an agent rejected me after I’d sent, at her request, my full manuscript. (Actually, she rejected it, not me; a novel idea for a novel — writer marries agent to get his/her novel published, then divorces him/her.) And that was after only 40 queries. So it was heartening to learn that someone had offers for representation from not just one, but two, agents after the 205th try. I’m wondering if she was rejected along the way after sending more materials.
Hi Bob, it’s important to recognize the difference between a book being rejected… and a person. Just had this same conversation with one of my other coaching clients who’s had many agent turn down her novel… but invite her to send them her next one when it’s done. That’s unusual, and heartening. Of course we all want everyone to love everything we do, but sometimes (oftentimes) the journey is a bit harder and longer than we’d like. But as long as we don’t give up, we give ourselves a chance to finish strong. Mark
Hi Mark
In this world is a numbers game. “If it at first you don’t succeed …”
A timely reminder to keep believing in yourself.
Erik
Hi Erik, you’re absolutely right. Most of us don’t want to play the game, but the alternative isn’t very interesting. You get nowhere then. Here’s to playing the game, and continuing to believe. All my best. Mark
I’m working on the 2nd revision of my 1st book and my query letter is ready. I can’t wait to get into the literary agents dance…
Hi John, glad to hear it. Make sure you let us know if/when you have success… so we can celebrate with you. And have a good weekend. Thanks for posting. Mark
Thanks again Mark.
I was at a very low moment in my life when I e-mailed you, when everything was closing in around me and I could feel the extreme pressure of failure and loss crushing me. I think I lashed out at every one and everything. But you and my baby brother advised me to keep on–keeping on.
Getting this book published is one of the most important things in my life right now, and you told me in the beginning that it was going to be a waiting game. I’m ready to restart again.
Hi Juanita, maybe more than anyone else… I know what it’s like. I hope you got recharged after reading my latest article. Keep on keeping on. And keep surrounding yourself with the people who have your back. Keep writing new things while you’re sending out your queries, and pace yourself. It might not always happen quickly, but all you can do is keep going. What else is there??? Warm wishes to you for a wonderful weekend. Mark
A timely reminder. I am looking forward to talking with you. I am trying to get things ready on my end to make the most of the hour. Is there anything I should bring to the table – so to speak – to make sure I make good use of our time?
Thanks!
Ann
Hi Ann, glad to hear it and you’re all set I think. As long as you come to the call coachable and hopeful, you’ll get a lot out of it. Looking forward to it. Mark
Mark,
Great post – but it brings up a true-life question (or should I say dilemma). My first novel is still the best thing I have written, but of course I am a much more professional copy-editor now, and I’ve been beaten up about my dialogue tags enough to stop whimpering and change them. I wonder if my 205 agents are used up, or (having changed the title and proofread at an exacting level) can I start from zero and do it all over again?
A humble fan,
Ron Fischman
Hi Ron, one of my favorite things to tell my coaching clients is that you can ABSOLUTELY go out with the same work again… using a few tricks. A very different query and title are a good start. Thanks for believing, not just me but in yourself and your work… and not giving up. Have a great weekend and thanks for posting. Mark
Thanks for the pep talk about “painstaking persistence.” I currently work in a job where I have to do just that, make calls, appointments, and meetings where it takes dozens of calls/texts to even get one call back. The funny (odd) thing is that this work is for services that they asked for and it still takes painstaking persistence to get them to follow through.
This articles helps me to carry on. Thank you again.
Hi Melissa, glad you liked it… and thank you for taking time to comment. My favorite coaching clients are those who’ve worked in sales or jobs like yours… because they understand how it all works. Getting lots of doors closed or hearings lots of nos doesn’t mean you’re not any good. It’s simply part of the process. Here’s to sticking with it. And have a great weekend! Mark
Great story Mark! Sounds all too familiar… the most encouraging and patient coach there is!
Hi Mardell, you are funny… and fun to work with. I’m so proud of all you’ve been doing. Have a great weekend and talk soon. Mark
Thanks for a great reminder, Mark. My mother used to tell me, “Never be afraid to ask. The worst you’ll ever hear is No and No never killed anyone!” Okay, maybe I got a little dented but not dead! LOL
Hi Darlene, good advice from your mom… as you know. It’s amazing what we can all accomplish when we remove the limits in our minds and simply get “delusional.” Suddenly what was delusional becomes ordinary and we stretch again, reaching for something even more interesting and challenging. Dented but not dead. I love it. Have a great weekend. Mark
Thanks Mark,
Sometimes its the small things that count – like being reminded to keep persevering
Very good analogy and yes a long way from 800 yet
Dawson
Hi Dawson, with that attitude you triple your chances of making it. Thank you for staying focused on the positive and what you can do next to give yourself a greater chance. That’s the trick. Here’s to hoping you don’t have to go anywhere near 800! Mark
Any suggested improvements on the below for the opening to a query letter?
‘I already have an agent for my non-fiction works (monographs, articles, book chapters) and am now looking for an agent for my first novel – ‘The hidden pearl. The world’s dangerous quest’ (60-65,000 words). Fiction has only come to me in the last couple of years but I am now bursting with ideas. …’
And am I alone or does anyone else today get their stories/poems in dreams, asleep? Do tell
Ruth
Hi Ruth, I don’t help people improve their queries here… on my website (just in coaching)… otherwise everyone would be posting queries and excerpts… but… as I mentioned during our call… when you have credibility as an author… it’s often wise to put it first… as you have here… since agents don’t always read (don’t usually read) your entire query. With good credibility, up front, they will. So I like that part of your opening. Have a good weekend and make sure you let us all know how it goes. Mark
8 so far, aiming at 40 this month, then 40 then 40 then …. (I think 400 will just about cover it)
For when I run out of the US list anyone out there (Mark?) know of a dependable UK one? Europe? Australia? North Pole? (can’t bear the cold but with that terrifying wonderful Mark at my elbow would try even that)
And yes of course I want an agent but don’t necessarily give up on your own efforts while waiting, have just landed good (for academics) deal direct with Bloomsbury
Ruth
Hi Ruth, glad to hear that you’re determined and going to keep at it so you and your book have a fair chance. I don’t have international agents in my literary agent directory yet, but that is coming soon. Although I doubt I’ll find any agents that far North. 😉 Sounds like you closed the deal with Bloomsbury after our call. Is that true? If so, congratulations. That’s fantastic. Let me know and have a great weekend! Mark
I enjoyed the post, but it left me with some questions. If a manuscript has a lot of rejections, at what point do you start to make changes to the document or the query letter? Also, do conferences, instead of a query, increase the chances of getting an agent?
Thank you Judy, and great question. Obviously it’s a big judgment call. If you send out 1-200 queries and/or sample page excerpts and don’t get any requests for more information or more material… something is wrong. Conferences can be good, but I believe it’s better to invest in having someone help you improve your pitch materials like your query. That way you can use your investment to help you pitch hundreds of agents. At a conference, as you likely already know, you can only pitch a few. If you’re thinking about attending a conference, read this article that will help you get the most out of it: https://literary-agents.com/writers-conference-part-01/. And have a great weekend! Mark
Thanks for the pep talk. I do tend to think that maybe the agents know something I don’t when they send those “Thanks for your submission, but….
Hi Bruce, sometimes (often) it’s simpler than that. Just a matter of keeping at it until you hit the right person at the right time. Keep believing and have a great weekend! Mark
This is a GREAT reminder. Publishing is all about persistence.
Hi Leslie, thanks for posting… and joining us believers. Keep at it, and have a great weekend! Mark
Thank you so much for this inspirational and eye opening information. Rejection after rejection can get discouraging but I have to remind myself that there are MANY more doors to knock on, I just haven’t knocked on the right one yet!
Hi Raquel, thank YOU for posting a comment. Keep knocking, stay encouraged, and stay inspired. All my best to you and warm wishes for a wonderful weekend. Mark
Rejections are like challenges
That make us do our part
We must indeed be resolute
Call each new day a start
Though sometimes we hear not at all
And sometimes we hear “no”
We’re one step closer to a “yes”
That’s how the story goes
So never give up trying hard
Anticipate the best
Have all your ducks in order
Give worrying a rest
And while you’re writing queries
That read quite businesslike
Take time to write creatively
For years go fast in life
800 might seem great a task
But roll your sleeves and go
It only takes one welcomed “yes”
To wash away the “no’s”!
Hi Lynn, I always look forward to your creative comments. Here’s to keeping your ducks in order and committing to the 800. You probably won’t need that many, but the willingness is a big part of what creates the success. At least that’s how I look at it. Have a great weekend! Mark
Mark:
I loved this story. It’s difficult to keep submitting query letters to literary agents without the desired result. When you suggested increasing the number to 800 I immediately understood how much of this is about numbers as well. Thanks for the advice.
Stephen Rase
Hi Stephen, a big part of it is simply knowing the numbers… that you have to send out a lot more than you probably ever imagined. Once you adjust that expectation, everything gets easier. Not easy, but easier. Keep at it, and thanks for posting. Mark
My number? Well, somebody very smart suggested that I don’t keep track. Oh, I’ve sent out some queries, can’t quite recall the number… But when the agent calls, she will be my number one!
Great advice as always, –JEN
Hi Jen, good one. I always tell my coaching clients that they should speak to every prospective agents as though they’re #1. Because they ALL are, until you’re signed with one. Then that person is definitely #1. 😉 Have a great weekend. Mark