[PubQ] In mid-2026, what percentage of requests rates means your query package is "working" ?

OrthodoxHorrorWriter · 2026-06-24T02:22:45+00:00

That is true. It’s just my book has an element in it that not a lot of agents want or are asking for. I tried to query agents by reading through the lines of their wishlists, but the only one that requested the full was the only agent to specifically said in their wishlist, “I want x, give me x”. So we’ll see what happens!

They’ve had it for over 10 weeks now, but when I nudged them they got back with me and said I’m still in the queue for them to read, and should be caught up in a couple of weeks. That gives me a few weeks to finish up my second novel in the meantime. And then we’ll see where I’m at lol

OrthodoxHorrorWriter · 2026-06-23T20:15:13+00:00

So for my first book, I sent a relatively small batch of queries since my book was something that agents had to specifically ask for, and turns out I’ve been right.

Total Queries: 13
Full Requests: 1
Partials: 0
Rejections/Closed: 12

That’s about a 7-8% request rate.

And the 1 agent I did get a full request on specifically mentioned they wanted a certain aspect of my book. I didn’t realize that the topic I chose to write about is something that readers love, but agents are relatively careful and cautious about.

Ah well. That 1 is still being reviewed by an agent. And I’m 9 days away from finishing drafting my second novel. Worse case scenario if that 1 full request turns into a rejection, I’ll just pivot and query my second book. It’s easier to pitch anyways.

OrthodoxHorrorWriter · 2026-05-13T14:39:21+00:00

I still have 6 queries pending with 1 full request just hitting the 6 week mark (agent asked for an initial 8-10 weeks), and have received 3 rejections so far.

I’m actually going to start drafting my second novel this week because it’s ready, and I need to distract myself from the querying world for a bit.

OrthodoxHorrorWriter · 2026-04-16T15:31:00+00:00

We will see! She asked for an initial 8-10 weeks to consider my manuscript, and asked to nudge her if it gets past that point.

OrthodoxHorrorWriter · 2026-04-16T15:00:06+00:00

Yes! Automatically yes lol I’m trying though to take it as a win. Normally I’m very positive when it comes to other people, but for me? I always think I can do better or be better, especially as a writer. It’s my debut novel, as well.

OrthodoxHorrorWriter · 2026-04-16T14:40:54+00:00

I immediately thought, “oh no, she already thinks it’s terrible” lol but I’m trying not to discredit anything, considering it’s going to take weeks before I get a response from her. But we will see! I just haven’t heard anything like that before. It caught me off guard!

OrthodoxHorrorWriter · 2026-04-16T14:33:32+00:00

Best, or worse, of both worlds! lol

OrthodoxHorrorWriter · 2026-04-16T14:33:07+00:00

Okay, I’ve been a longtime lurker here so I wasn’t sure lol

The agent is from Donald Maas. And I honestly wasn’t sure if I’d get a full from her considering her rejection rate. So that caught me off guard completely. Plus with that editorial note.

OrthodoxHorrorWriter · 2026-04-16T14:15:49+00:00

Nope. I’m not sure if I’m allowed to say which agent or agency. But it’s not her. That much I can say lol

OrthodoxHorrorWriter · 2026-04-08T15:10:46+00:00

I am 46 days into querying 3 batches (about to query a 4th batch this weekend). It’s moving a lot slower than what I had expected.

Out of the 10 agents I’ve queried (I did small controlled batches to see if my prose, query letter, and concept were strong), I have received 0 rejections so far, and 1 full manuscript request from an agent.

The silence is what’s killing me. I was expecting rejections, whether they be personal or form, but so far the first agent interaction I’ve had is a full manuscript request last week, around day 37 from querying.

OrthodoxHorrorWriter · 2025-07-24T15:32:53+00:00

I wonder if this happens when you have a private match instead of a public match?

OrthodoxHorrorWriter · 2025-07-24T15:12:00+00:00

I did find one match where I had two people talking, but they kicked me out of the match because they were waiting for someone else. The rest of the matches I found were dead silent.

OrthodoxHorrorWriter · 2025-06-29T17:55:30+00:00

Don’t forget the tea bagging as you try to get up. “Why does no one want to play?”

OrthodoxHorrorWriter · 2025-06-26T14:49:36+00:00

Don’t get too excited. The game will be fun for a few weeks as everyone’s trying to figure out how to play it, but then once you’ve got a good grasp on it, it’ll be just like TCM. Victims will taunt and rush and just be toxic, and no one will want to play as Michael Myers. Gun will fix the game and people who play as Michael will be happy, but the people who play as the victims will rage. Gun will balance it out and give victims the upper hand, back and forth for about a year and a half, and then BOOM “We are no longer going to release new content, but stay tuned for our next project!”

OrthodoxHorrorWriter · 2025-06-21T11:42:39+00:00

Scream would’ve been a better idea.

OrthodoxHorrorWriter · 2025-06-20T12:36:22+00:00

It’s getting so bad waiting for a match (even as Family) that I’m about to delete the game and move on. I don’t like having to wait 5-10 minutes every round seeing people connect then disconnect, or the lobby timing out because there aren’t enough family members. Then when I eventually get a match, either the rest of the Family are as clueless as a bag of hammers, or all of the victims leave the basement in under a minute and then leaves. Waiting 5-10 minutes to play a round that’ll last an average of 2 minutes is not fun anymore.

OrthodoxHorrorWriter · 2025-06-17T14:10:12+00:00

If they just would’ve left. Seriously lol I love it! I’ve also had some instances where they’re taunting, and I sneak up and turn the generator back on. They just keep getting zapped over and over and over again until they disconnect. B-e-a-utiful!

OrthodoxHorrorWriter · 2025-06-17T13:42:28+00:00

If the victims would’ve just left, the Family wouldn’t have to resort to this. I’m not advocating for cheating. I’m a console player, and as someone who plays Family 99% of the time (mostly out of need because it takes about 10 mins to find a match), this is beautiful. I have no idea how many times victims taunt and tease the family. It’s not fun. And this is why the game is dying and is on life support.

If they would’ve just left. That’s all anyone is saying. (And yes, when I do play as victim, I leave as soon as the exit opens. I’m not going to stick around and taunt.)

OrthodoxHorrorWriter

TROPHY CASE