36,000 number of queries read and responded to (around 120/day)
98 full manuscripts requested and read
839 number of sample pages requested and read
Think about this. Of 36,000 hopeful writers, exactly 9 had their dreams answered. That is 0.025%. Or one in every 4000. And they still haven’t been accepted for publication…
Some years back, when I was hunting for an agent and/or publisher myself, I remember reading the statistic for one large publishing house, and it was rather similar. They took on 1 in about every 4,000-5,000 mss they received.
When I consider stats like this, I feel blessed that I am one of the lucky ones. Sure, I worked hard, but so do a lot of people. Sometimes I take a deep breath, and think of the little girl who decided around the age of eight that she was going to be “an authoress”, and wonder just how I got here. And I still have reason to be grateful: you guys who are reading my books (and not stealing them from free torrent sites) are keeping my career alive. Thank you.
Makes me glad I didn't pursue writing. Not that I ever could make up my mind what I wanted to write about. I don't get paid, but at least with a blog I can write what I like and although it is better to have readers, I don't need them to make a living, grateful as I might be to have them reading what I write.
You write good books girl, why wouldn't they pick you? I'm glad they did of course.
Oh wow…the statistics leave me speechless.
I got 3 rejections today, in a row, and was feeling a little bit blue, but I'll keep trying!
And I agree with Jo 😀 Your books are amazing!
Cheers,
Ika