I'm done with "lurking"!

Hi everyone,

I registered on this site some time ago, but it's taken me a little while to get around to the actual posting. I've been devouring information about the business in preparation for querying agents, and the "beware" threads here were a huge help in figuring out exactly what I do and don't need to be doing. I've been hesitant to start posting because of the high volume of material around here - but then, I guess that's what happens when you put a bunch of writers on the internet, no?

I'm very early in the process of querying my young adult contemporary fantasy novel. I'm going slowly, just kind of dipping my toes in (so far - three queries out, two polite rejections, three more queries that I'm hoping to send out in the next couple of days). The tricky part seems to be all of the different criteria from agency to agency - I feel like I have to create a new proposal for each one. I'm determined to get out there, though! Even if I have a panic attack or two in the process. Whatever.

I still need to sit down and plow through all the great areas of this board, but I figured I should at least start socializing!

So hello. I'll be around.

Thanks for the warm welcome!

As far as queries, my strategy so far has been to conform exactly to what each agency is asking for, even if it means querying is slow going. I figure I won't exactly win anyone over by blatantly flaunting their rules just to save myself the trouble. It just kind of makes me want to tear my hair out sometimes.

Drunk thread... Hmm. I gotta find that one.