I once queried an agent who rejected me but said, “You need to build your platform. Go on a national lecture tour. And if you can get on Oprah, that would help.” No kidding? No kidding.
I continue to read. And read. And read more and more about the query process, and it’s becoming very unfocused. My eyes are fine (well, not really, but they’re not the problem – it’s the information itself).
I have to go to Maui? Rub elbows with famous authors and have them endorse my work for representation? Win all kinds of awards? Sounds very expensive.
The good news is that most agents I’ve come across insist they consider all work that’s up their alley, and they suggest that a long list of impressive credentials is not critical to success. I can live with that.