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
* * *
* * *
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 
How long should an ‘extended comment’ be? ( fiction), anyone know? Mark?
Hi Ruth, not sure what you mean… Mark
The good news from Bloomsbury ( direct not through agent) came on Friday, after our call, result of many months delay and revision. ( they seem to be more fussy about the length of the proposal statement – but without offering guidance on what they want! – than, I guess on the final text)..
Even direct with publishers WORTH PERSEVERING!!
Hi Ruth, I’m just glad you have a dialogue with them. Congratulations, make it happen! Mark
Hi Mark,
What a great analogy! I am sure it’s excellent advice. It’s good to know that clients of
yours have taken that advice and achieved their goal eventually.
Belated happy birthday. Sorry, I got caught up with arranging a surprise birthday party for my
husband whose birthday was also last month.
Regards,
Gai
Hi Gai, glad you liked the article. And thank you for the birthday wish! I appreciate you being part of my world. Have a great weekend. Mark
I wish your client the best of luck! She deserves it for the persistence. You also deserve a pat on the back Mark. You kept encouraging her to not give up and you convinced her. I haven’t finished my manuscript yet but I hope that when the time comes I will have the stamina to persist too. I know that after all that writing you want to see it in print but to hear no after no after no must be so discouraging. To dream of seeing my future book in bookstores is what motivates me.
Thank you Connie, and keep doing what you’re doing. You’ll get there. Writing, and everything else that matters, seems to take a while. But the reward is always worth it. Thanks for posting and hope to see you again soon. Mark
205! Wow. That IS stamina. She deserves the BEst of success . Keep us posted.
Yep, she signed with an agent a few days ago. 🙂 Here’s to never giving up. Have a great weekend and keep me posted! Mark
Very encouraging! It is something I should know; however, forget in the moments of adversity. Thanks for the reminder (Don’t give up) and sharing this story!
Thank you Addison, I appreciate you taking the time to post encouragement for me as well. Have a great weekend! Mark
Gosh, I don’t think I’m a high number person but after your article, it gives me hope.
Hi Saw-Lian, NOBODY is a high number person… until they realize they might have to be. 😉 Mark
Thanks again for your encouragement.
Hi Doya, probably one of my favorite things to do for authors. THANK YOU. Mark
Loved the article! I’m definitely not willing to give up… have come too far on this journey to let someone else thwart my future. Also, I am grateful for winning this week’s Amazon gift card. I will definitely make good use of it!
Hi Cheryl! I just upgraded my website, gave it a facelift so I’m being on replying to comments. But it’s always good hearing from you and I’ll send you that gift card ASAP. Have a great weekend! Mark
Mark,
I’m starting to think you’re as smart asI thought you might be. This little ditty has convinced me to send out queries to all 1200 agents in the USA
And if I don’t get ONE POSITIVE REPLY, I’ll just create ANOTHER QUERY LETTER and
RESEND ALL 1200
Greg
Hi Greg, that’s the best compliment I could ever receive. Thank you. I love being a catalyst that way. Keep sending out those queries! Mark
Hi,
I hit a rut and put my writing on hold for a month. Well, we were moving out of a home. I can only do so much. But now I am ready to write and send out my stories again. I Have lost count but will keep it up – to the 800.
Thanks,
Dee
Hi Dee, glad to hear it and I hope the move went smoothly. Keep sending out those queries and have a great weekend! Mark
Thanks a lot, Mark.
I am a young author and am currently writing a crime novel. Hopefully I’ll land my first literary agent by querying enough agents.
Take advantage of all the resources on my website and you’ll have a much better chance. Keep writing, and keep believing. Thanks for posting and have a great weekend! Mark
Hi Mark, you say that there is up to 800 agents for any given genre, but I am finding it increasing difficult to find 100. My book seems to fall into a divided category, as it is primarily about dogs so I was targeting agents that have published stories about pets, but my friend said that because the book is also about my business and experiences I should be submitting to agents interested in business and memoirs. Or should I just enquire to everyone regardless?
Debbie
Hi Debbie, 800 is only for fiction… if you include every agent interested in any specific fiction category PLUS mainstream fiction and/or commercial fiction and/or general fiction, etc. No matter what an author’s genre is, however, there are usually a few hundred agents to submit to. You should try everyone that might be interested, even if it’s a long shot, but, of course, start with the people that are likely the best fit. Mark
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?
The sky is the limit!
Hi Pat, glad to hear it. Thanks for being positive. And thanks for taking time to say hello. Have a great weekend! Mark
Dear Mark,
Your article hits the nail on the head and you are so right. I kave’nt given up yet but my problem is not with the number of doors I have to knock on, I’m willing and able but absolutely hopeless at my pc and keep making a mess of either my line spacing, or copy and pasting and such like. Imagine ,after spending a couple hours writing the first three chapters you find you have lost it somewhere in the pc.When this happens I want to give up.
Hi Douglas, glad to hear you liked the article and (more important) you’re fighting the good fight. Keep going. If you’re having computer issues, get someone to help you. It’s so easy to try and do everything on our own and get frustrated and fail… when a little help from someone who knows what they’re doing could be a game changer. Have a good weekend and thanks for posting! Mark
I would not do it because I found the shortcut. I send out 12 inquiries and got 2 letters of interests when I sold my first book (no agent) and earned my first $10,000.00 advance. LOL.
I did all the research first and knew what I was doing before submission apparently.
Hi Delores, are you joking… or serious? It can happen this way. But I always tell authors that, even if they could accomplish this on their own, imagine what they could have done with help. 4-5 letters of interest instead, perhaps. A significantly larger advance. And, most important, an agent to represent your best interests when the publisher if overly focused on their own. But any success in this industry is something to be celebrated. Have a good weekend and thanks for posting. Mark
I am serious, Mark, but for other readers let me clarify that this is indeed rare. I had sent off inquiries on two other projects with good rejections and encouragement. This was a “find a
need and fill it” book on soap making. I had helped many beginners succeed on a list with many
members, multiple emails encouraging me to write a book, etc. It sort of fell into my lap. A rare thing. READERS: keep learning, reading and trying. I am sure Mark can help guide you ! I had trade magazines-books.
Hi Delores, that’s fantastic. And I’m glad you pointed out that it’s rare… because that is certainly the case. Have a great weekend and thanks for posting! Mark
I’ve sent out only about 70 queries. I have enablesd70 agents to add to their recycle bin70 times. Give up. NO I’m also a professional play director. I have gently rejected hundreds of good actors. They just were not right for my production. I get it. Keep trying.
Hi Myles, sorry to hear that but… as you can see from my recent article… it doesn’t mean your done. Keep at it, and keep believing. And make sure you let us all know if/when you finally break through… so we can help you celebrate. Your success is our success. Mark
Hi Mark! Just bouncing back from being really laid up with a bunch of stuff – the latest was pneumonia – fun. Not.
Anyway, now better I have renewed vigor to get up and go send those queries! We’ve had this discussion and, being a successful salesperson it IS a numbers game but the numbers DO pan out if you’re consistent, diligent and live and die by your followups.
Rejected by one agent but it’s your dream agency? Wait a bit, then query another. Keep going & going & going. And we’re OFF~!
Well now this is a nice way to start my Saturday… not hearing you had pneumonia and other setbacks… but discovering you now have renewed vigor to get up and send those queries. I love it. Been thinking about you so I hope you’ve been feeling the positive vibes. I hope you liked the article because I know you get it. Do not stop, you ARE the real deal. And, as you know, you’ve come extremely close. Thanks for checking in and have a wonderful weekend! Mark
155 so far. And no, I have not given up. Most of the time the rejection is in a form letter e-mail sent to all rejected authors. However, I have had a few agents give me tips, or send me to another site. I could not be more grateful for their help. Why is it so hard for an agent to write a helpful response? One agent told me he receives 250 queries a day, and yet he took the time to write a short comment about my query letter. I followed his advice and feel more confident now, about ‘me’. Great.
Hi Elizabeth, glad to hear it. Not the 155, but the not giving up. 😉 That’s what matters most. Regarding your question about agent responses, I know it’s hard to understand why more agents don’t provide valuable feedback. At least some do. They don’t do it for several reasons, by the way. Obviously time is a factor. But the second an agent says anything personal or individualized to an author, that person then (often) responds with more questions and it becomes a big time suck. So most agents avoid it entirely. Don’t take it personally though, because it’s not personal. And it doesn’t mean your work isn’t publishable. Mark
Good article and a great pep talk. Thanks for sharing it.
Thank you K.C. …for taking time to read my article and post a comment. Have a wonderful weekend and keep believing! Mark