Journey to be Traditionally Published (So Far)

Query Stats as of 2/17/25 and Reflection

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As several of you may know, I’m currently in the Query Trenches for my debut novel, Paola Unraveling. And I’ve always said I would be transparent about this process. So, here are my Query Stats so far since 11/2024.

Queried Agents: 16

Query rejections/90 day no response: 7

Waiting to hear back from partials/full requests: 1

Waiting to hear back from query letter: 8

After getting my first partial request on Valentine’s Day from a dream agent, it is safe to say that my query letter is strong, and my opening pages are not the problem. I just haven’t found the right agent to champion the novel! I feel so hopeful and so scared, primarily because it feels like my foot is in the door. So I beg to my MC— Please Paola, do the leg work baby, you got this.

If the agent who asked for a partial of Paola Unraveling decides to reject my novel… I just hope I get constructive feedback on where my weaknesses lie. Of course I would love for them to come back and ask for a full and then ultimately LOVE my story and want to represent me, but I know that the query trenches isn’t always that simple. I just hope to grow from this experience as a writer.

Since a partial was requested, I call that a win in the right direction. With this win, I treated myself by sending a query letter to a new agent. I will make it a thing, where I send a new query letter to a new agent each time I get requested a partial or full manuscript.

My query rejections have consisted of form rejections and quite a few saying they don’t represent topics of domestic violence.

I was starting to get discouraged that the reason I wasn’t going to find an agent was because no one wants to champion a book like mine. One that is not a romance. One that does not romanticize domestic abuse. But one that brings awareness to domestic abuse in the LGBTQ+ community, specifically the lesbian/sapphic community. One that could start a conversation that is needed about domestic abuse in the queer community.

I know deep in my heart that my novel will make an impact and that she will see the light of day. She will resonate with so many people, help someone feel heard, less alone, and hopefully heal someone like writing it has healed me.

I am confident in my story. I am so passionate about my story and its potential.

I will keep you all posted on the good and not-so-good about my journey to being traditionally published. Thank you for reading and I’m happy to answer any questions as well.

Wish me luck!

Ferni <3