Nathan Bransford - The Forums

I'm planning on querying towards the end of summer and have been wondering: Does QueryTracker really help?

I'm not a part of the site yet, but I've looked it over and to me it seems a bit confusing. (Might just be me, though) Wondering what people's experiences have been using it and if you think it's best.

Also, any other querying advice? :) (Because we all know it's a piece of cake. KIDDING)

QueryTracker is fabulous for keeping track of your queries and reading up on agents and their response times/request rates. I wouldn't leave home without it. :D

heyimkt wrote:
Also, any other querying advice? :)

Read the articles most agents have on their sites/ blogs for their parameters and particulars for what makes a good query.

Consider posting your query in our feedback section here for member critique.

Only query agents who represent the genre you are trying to sell.

Triple check everything that's sent out.

Thanks everyone! I will definitely consider QueryTracker now, because I'm sure it'll help.
I think I've got the whole querying process down and I hope everything works out. Thanks again!

I like querytracker, but don't exclusively use it. Agent websites and blogs have, obviously, the best information. But the stats and feedback are helpful. I use it in conjunction with agentquery.com and my own quick-to-manipulate spreadsheet.

I'm a big Query Tracker fan. The statistics are very helpful (or panic-inducing, if they don't match yours:) ), and their database is set up so that you can search by genre (just like at several other sites). But, like HillaryJ, I don't think it should be the only site you use.

Best of luck with your querying.

Although I have an account I am trying to stay away from the site right now because I am in the middle of my first draft. If I go to that site I can easily spend hours there, and that's not good because that is time spent not writing.

But yes, it is a good site to use. Also I hear AgentQuery is good. As far as figuring out what makes a good query letter....I read QueryShark and Evil Editor, ect. Those blogs are really helpful.

heyimkt wrote:I'm planning on querying towards the end of summer and have been wondering: Does QueryTracker really help?

I'm not a part of the site yet, but I've looked it over and to me it seems a bit confusing. (Might just be me, though) Wondering what people's experiences have been using it and if you think it's best.

Also, any other querying advice? :) (Because we all know it's a piece of cake. KIDDING)

I have no querying advice, because I haven't started querying either. But I'm watching Masterchef right now, and it seems even making a piece of cake isn't a piece of cake :-)

Bron wrote:I'm watching Masterchef right now, and it seems even making a piece of cake isn't a piece of cake :-)

Haha I love this reference. Are you watching the Australian version? Marion ftw!

Oh, so I actually started using querytracker to track my queries, and then flipped out at the line of angry, beet red faces staring back at me (for queries marked as rejections). I feel like they are judging me.

Lol and awwwww! That's what happens?? I wouldn't want beet red faces, either.

*crosses "Investigate Querytracker tracking system" off to-do list*

Man, I would hate those red faces staring back at me! I think I'll try my own system at first :)
The only part that really appealed to me anyway were the statistics (how long it takes for an agent to respond, how many they usually except...)

I like the stats, but as with any voluntary system, they aren't entirely accurate. A decent indication, though. I'm updating my regularly. Don't swear off using it just because of the angry faces. It is useful. There are also comments from recent queriers, which is nice especially when an agent is on the down-low (no website, no recent interviews). Just for the record, on my personal tracking spreadsheet, I mark rejections in light orange. It's pleasant and calming.