Query Tracking

In the past I was notorious for saying to myself that I will remember something, like what agents I mailed a manuscript to or when I mailed it and what I mailed. But realistically, if I do not write it down somewhere, I will not remember it.

If you find yourself sending out multiple queries simultaneously, it is a good idea to keep track of them. The last thing you want to have to do is go back and physically trawl through your outbox to see what went where. You can keep track of your queries by either creating a log in a notebook or creating a spreadsheet on your computer.

The more I do this “writing” thing the more organized I become and I now keep a log. It important to develop a system that works for you and one that you will follow. This is how I do it:

Initially in black pen, I note the list of agents I sent my query to as well as the date and what I sent, whether it was a query only or a query and the first ten pages or the first chapter. Knowing what I sent exactly allows me a certain time frame to follow up. For instance if it is a query only and I have no reply in say, four weeks, I send a follow up email asking for a status update and include the initial query. But if I sent partials along with the query, I would allow more time, say 6 to 8 weeks, always keeping in mind that I am following the agent’s website. Some will tell you how long it takes for them to respond, others will not.

Once the responses start rolling in, I write the date received as well as whether it was a “No” or a request for a partial or full. I will change the color of the pen to red. Then I date when I send out the partial or the full and then I keep track of that as well.

This way, I always know where I am exactly in the stream of publication.