From 143 Rejections to 2 Agent Offers in 3 Weeks

Anna Metz started querying her first novel shortly after joining Query Bootcamp, but received over 100 rejections. When she utilized knowledge from Query Bootcamp to draft and query her second novel, she completely transformed her results. Her dark rom-com landed 13 full requests and 2 agent offers in just three weeks of querying.

First Manuscript (Pre Completion of Query Bootcamp): 📝 143 Queries | 📬 3 Full Requests | 🎉 0 Offers | ⏱️ 6 Months

Second Manuscript (Post Completion of Query Bootcamp): 📝 38 Queries | 📬 13 Full Requests | 🎉 2 Offers | ⏱️ 3 Weeks

The Numbers:

The Backstory

A Tale of Two Manuscripts

Anna discovered Lauren's content in fall of 2024, right before finishing the first draft of her first manuscript. She dove into querying in January 2025 with her adult romantasy, Kingdom Awakening.

Six months and 143 queries later, she had only 3 full requests and zero offers.


Starting from Square One

"I had no idea what the querying process was, how to write a query letter, where to find reputable agents, or access to quality beta readers/critique partners who were also writers."

Anna Metz

Anna had started writing at the end of summer 2024, returning to a passion she'd had in middle and high school but abandoned in adult life. Without a writing community or industry knowledge, she was essentially querying blind.

The Turning Point

Query Bootcamp Changes Everything

Key game-changers:

  • Learning to use the agent tracker Google sheets

  • Navigating QueryTracker effectively

  • Understanding how to write a compelling query letter

  • Finding her critique partner group

"Honestly, every module in the Query Bootcamp course was valuable. The course answered all possible questions and had such amazing resources."

After her disappointing first querying experience, Anna enrolled in Query Bootcamp. The transformation was immediate and comprehensive.

"Query Bootcamp demystified the querying process, answered questions I didn't even know I had, and provided invaluable resources in one easily accessible space."

The Querying Journey

July 2025: Lightning Strikes

The difference was staggering:

  • Day 1: First full request

  • Week 3: First agent offer

  • Week 4: Second agent offer

From 38 queries, she received 13 full requests—a request rate of 34% compared to her previous 2%.

Armed with Query Bootcamp knowledge, Anna began querying her second manuscript, Vigilantes Anonymous, a dark rom-com, in July 2025.


The Power of Community

"I love my critique group! We still meet 1x a month as a large group and I meet 1x a week with two others one on one to talk all things books, writing, and life. Truly such amazing connections!"

The Query Bootcamp community wasn't just about business—it became a genuine support system that continues today.

What’s Next?

The Next Chapter

Anna signed with Aurora Fernandez at Trident Media Group and is now working on her third manuscript, which is currently with beta readers.

In this toe-curling story of sex and murder, two contract killers, Lana and Nic, must face increasingly threatening messages, unimaginable betrayal, and their own twisted histories to defeat the Enforcer and claim the happily ever after they've slowly started to crave.

About Vigilantes Anonymous

Anna’s Reflection

"Everyone was so kind. Lauren was amazing. Such a wealth of knowledge! No regrets taking this course. Would recommend it to ANYONE embarking on the querying journey."

Follow Anna's journey on Instagram: @anna.metz.writes and through her website https://www.annametz.com/ .