Query (Tracker) Tip Tuesday

Okay, I can barely believe I've already written two blogs on queries without even mentioning the brightest guiding light known to queryers: QUERY TRACKER. (QT)

While finishing the final (ha, ha)  revisions on EVIE'S KNIGHT, I started researching agents. And while there were a lot of great sites out there, none was more helpful to me than QueryTracker.net.

I can't even tell you how essential this is for anyone even thinking about sending a query into the world. Querying without QT is like going on vacation without a map. You've gassed up the car, loaded up the kids, the luggage, and the survival kit (some Diet Coke and a stash of jerky), all without giving a single thought to what lies ahead.

Why would I say that? Because before QT, I sent out queries. And waited. And waited. Sometimes I'd get  a rejection, other times I wouldn't hear back at all, but every time I was left in the dark, wondering what to expect. I was dying to know what others were going through, but all I had was the info on the agent's submission page - nothing more. (Their website will most likely not volunteer that said agent hasn't responded to a query in over a year. Yet this would be good to know - right?)

And then I found Query Tracker

*Angelic hallelujah chord here*

 Not only does this site help you keep track of those you've queried, how and when you queried them, and their responses, but it also lends insightful little tidbits (shared by fellow writers) about each agent.
See 'comments' tab to read what other writers have shared about their experience with that agent. Here, we sympathize with each other when times get hard; we congratulate one another when there's something to celebrate. When a fellow Query-Tracker lands an agent, their Success Story gets posted on the QT Blog (which is fantastic btw; sign up for it!). This interview often includes the actual query letter used to land their new agent.

Go to 'query statistics', to find out how long the average wait is for a particular agent (at that time; it changes). You can see what genre(s) they've requested recently, and how long it took them to request. (All based on info provided by fellow QT-ers.)

On each agent's page, there are direct links to their website, email address, and even their twitter and blog page (if they have one). You'll also find links to AgentQuery.com, Preditors and Editors (a must!), Publisher's Marketplace, and more.


Wondering how much it costs? Well you can join for free (and get limited use), or become a Premium Member for $25 a YEAR! (This could change, but that's the price as of today's date.) It's a steal.
Join, and experience what it's like to step into the query light.


Tomorrow I'll announce the contest winner! (Sorry, too late to enter this one, but I'll be doing another soon.) 
Thursday I'll share my lowest of the writer lows and how I pushed through it.
Friday will be sort of random because I want to share a weird experience I had in the supermarket today and get your thoughts on it.


Have you used QT before? Let me know how research agents, or keep track of your queries; I'd love to hear it.