When I work with writers, one of the most common questions I’m asked is, “When is the best time to send a query?”
It’s a good question: Who doesn’t want to know when an editor is most receptive to ideas from new-to-her writers or whether an idea is most likely to be assigned if it’s emailed at 9 a.m. on Monday verses 9 p.m. on Friday? After 10 years and thousands of queries, I have an answer.
Do you have your pen in hand? Are you ready to mark your calendars?
OK, here it is:
The best time to send a query is after the idea has been thoroughly researched, the pitch has been meticulously written and you have come up with a subject line so brilliant that an editor will pause her recording of Downton Abbey to open the email.
Here’s the thing: You could spend hours debating the pros and cons of various time slots (and many, many writers do) but it’s wasted time. Editors want good ideas. Their jobs depend on wading through hundreds of emailed queries to find gems, regardless of what time the writer hit the send button.
Agonizing over the perfect time to send a query is a stall tactic. It keeps you from sending the idea, which protects you from the possibility of rejection. Or the possibility of success.
Stop waiting for the right time. Instead, take a bold leap into the unknown. Trust that you have done your research, targeted the best magazine and written the hell out of the pitch. Go ahead, hit send.
Keep writing.
J
Hi Jodi – I’ve definitely lobbed this question into the air around my computer before a query and have agonized over the timing. I appreciate hearing your perspective and find it reassuring for the times that I’ve just pushed SEND without considering the time.
(Just finished reading your article in “The Writer” – I definitely plan on using the first suggested phrase – I never would’ve thought of it, but what a great way to show initiative and get an inside peek on opportunities.)
Hi Rebecca,
I don’t know a writer who hasn’t agonized over the best time to send a query 🙂 When I started freelancing, I spent so much time agonizing over when to send the pitch that it kept me from sending it out! Now I send it when it’s ready, even if it’s Sunday afternoon or midnight on Friday night.
I’m glad the article in The Writer was helpful. I learned a lot writing it.
Jodi