Is there a -best- internet place to show me how to write a perfect query letter to an agent?
Gracias
Javili
Gracias
Javili
To write a good query letter?
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Check out this thread by Andrew Jameson:
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59255
I spent a lot of time going through all the queries and comments of the Query Letter Critique section of Share Your Work here on AW. You'll see the same sorts of comments over and over and learn a lot about what queries should include. Also, Evil Editor regularly dissects sample queries on his blog. And you can search Miss Snark's archives.
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59255
I spent a lot of time going through all the queries and comments of the Query Letter Critique section of Share Your Work here on AW. You'll see the same sorts of comments over and over and learn a lot about what queries should include. Also, Evil Editor regularly dissects sample queries on his blog. And you can search Miss Snark's archives.
Just a question on this...
Is there any type of service out there that reads manuscripts and can be paid to write queries/synopses? I know this probably sounds extremely odd, seeing as I wrote the books and it would thus be logical that I would be best suited to create these things... However, I seem to have a query impairment, and although I spent thousands of words writing the novels it seems I'm much less skilled at writing the shorter things (aka synopsis).
Any ideas?
Is there any type of service out there that reads manuscripts and can be paid to write queries/synopses? I know this probably sounds extremely odd, seeing as I wrote the books and it would thus be logical that I would be best suited to create these things... However, I seem to have a query impairment, and although I spent thousands of words writing the novels it seems I'm much less skilled at writing the shorter things (aka synopsis).
Any ideas?
Not that I'm aware of (though one could exist).
I've seen this question asked here before though. The usual response (and I agree) is to practice and get good at the queries. As you said, you are best suited to write your own query letter since you are intimately familiar with your novel. Also, it's helpful for the query letter to reflect the "voice" of your novel so agents can get an idea of your writing style. I think almost every writer's first query effort is pretty bad (and I've read a lot of first efforts, my own included). But you'd be amazed how contructive feedback can really point you in the right direction and help you hammer out an engaging query. If you decide to tackle it, post in the Query Letter Critique section of Share Your Work. They'll shred it for you.
So there's my pep talk. Sorry I don't have an answer to your original question!
BTW- I'm from Melbourne, just a couple hours south (I live in KY now though).
I've seen this question asked here before though. The usual response (and I agree) is to practice and get good at the queries. As you said, you are best suited to write your own query letter since you are intimately familiar with your novel. Also, it's helpful for the query letter to reflect the "voice" of your novel so agents can get an idea of your writing style. I think almost every writer's first query effort is pretty bad (and I've read a lot of first efforts, my own included). But you'd be amazed how contructive feedback can really point you in the right direction and help you hammer out an engaging query. If you decide to tackle it, post in the Query Letter Critique section of Share Your Work. They'll shred it for you.
So there's my pep talk. Sorry I don't have an answer to your original question!
BTW- I'm from Melbourne, just a couple hours south (I live in KY now though).
Here's a couple links to articles/examples on Nathan Bransford's (Curtis Brown) blog. If he's any indication, he likes short and sweet and if you can sum up your novel in 2-3 sentences, you're more likely to get a thumbs-up.
http://nathanbransford.blogspot.com/2006/11/anatomy-of-good-query-letter.html
http://nathanbransford.blogspot.com/2007/05/anatomy-of-good-query-letter-ii.html
I guess the key (according to him) seems to be to fight the temptation to tell everything that happens in your book in favor of a well-crafted summary sentence (or two).
http://nathanbransford.blogspot.com/2006/11/anatomy-of-good-query-letter.html
http://nathanbransford.blogspot.com/2007/05/anatomy-of-good-query-letter-ii.html
I guess the key (according to him) seems to be to fight the temptation to tell everything that happens in your book in favor of a well-crafted summary sentence (or two).
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If there was, I believe it would be like services for people who pay to have a resume written. Those tend to be fairly generic and all sound alike. If you had a hundred people all using the same service and all submitting to the same agent, the letters would all sound similar even with different storylines. With the agents receiving some 20,000 query letters, you want yours to stand out, not blend in.
A lot of people have trouble writing a summary of their story because they haven't figured out what the story is actually about. Start with a sentence or two that describes what ties the whole book together.
http://www.evileditor.blogspot.com
http://www.misssnark.blogspot.com
These should have some good tips on query writing
http://www.accrispin.blogspot.com also has some tips on what not to do.
They also mention query submission services and why not to use them. Really, you're better off writing yourself.
You can use a lot of the common phrases, it's your synopsis/hook/summary that needs to stand out (and perhaps your writing credits).
http://www.misssnark.blogspot.com
These should have some good tips on query writing
http://www.accrispin.blogspot.com also has some tips on what not to do.
They also mention query submission services and why not to use them. Really, you're better off writing yourself.
You can use a lot of the common phrases, it's your synopsis/hook/summary that needs to stand out (and perhaps your writing credits).
I actually write the summary of my story before I write the story. It helps me know where I am going with the story.
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I know it is tempting to want to just hire some expert to write your query but I will tell you that if you get represented and then when your book sells you will have to write these types of business responses & synopsis to EVERYONE!!! Publicity...Marketing...Interviewers.
IT NEVER STOPS.
Just sit down start going through the archives here and at miss snarks and read the posted ones with comments.
And try try try...(keep an empty wastebasket at your side)
It took me longer to create good queries than it took to create the first draft of LOTTERY.
IT NEVER STOPS.
Just sit down start going through the archives here and at miss snarks and read the posted ones with comments.
And try try try...(keep an empty wastebasket at your side)
It took me longer to create good queries than it took to create the first draft of LOTTERY.
Very good advice.
I've had to write eight or ten "so what's it about?" letters to folks already, and I'm not nearly as far as ORION is in the process.
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I find it's best to bypass the query letter if you possibly can, but without gimmicks. I detest writing query letters and only got results when I stopped writing them. This usually means meeting the right people at the right time, preferably in a social situation, and let them come to you. If they don't, it's their loss. A verbal pitch is more fun and you can instantly gauge the response...
...I appreciate this means you have to hang around the right places, but good things usually happen when you least expect it.
BTW - writing a query letter that's longer than two lines is too long. Catch interest in your 'log-line' (to borrow from screenwriting parlance). I think Nathan Bransford (Curtis Brown) is also of this opinion.
...I appreciate this means you have to hang around the right places, but good things usually happen when you least expect it.
BTW - writing a query letter that's longer than two lines is too long. Catch interest in your 'log-line' (to borrow from screenwriting parlance). I think Nathan Bransford (Curtis Brown) is also of this opinion.
Unfortunately, you're describing a situation that may happen to one in a million writers.
My advice?
Learn how to write a query. I'm sitting here in Kentucky. Not too much publishing action in this part of the world.
If you can't write a query and you're a WRITER, you aren't trying hard enough.
I agree: I just don't like begging, which is what it feels like (to me at any rate - I know I'm weird).
And Kentucky's surely got some action or you wouldn't be living there?
I agree: I just don't like begging, which is what it feels like (to me at any rate - I know I'm weird).
And Kentucky's surely got some action or you wouldn't be living there?
Begging? I see it more like giving some fish-bait to the postman, sending it to a few of the big sharks and perhaps a few of their smaller cousins, and hoping one of them bites.
I don't know, but I cringe at the thought of pitching in person. Just because there are so many other factors that could affect my pitch (nervousness, body language, blah blah). I couldn't trust myself to do as good a job as I'd like. At least with a query, there isn't any immediate pressure. You get as much time as you like to think up a great query, and then it's up to them to decide purely on that. I'd feel like a real desperado if I pitched in person, like I was a rabid animal cornering my prey. But that's just me - I'm generally not that forthright anyhow. I'm prone to thinking and worrying too much, as you can probably tell from this post.
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Hillgate I'm afraid I'm going to have to disagree. I don't know where you are from, as it just says Europe, but I do happen to know that UK vs USA queries are vastly different and follow a different set of rules. To say that a query letter longer than 2 lines is too long is doing a bit of a disservice to USA writers who actually have to follow a pretty set formula laid out by agents (not only in the agency guidelines but also their blogs).
Yes there are exceptions to every rule, and yes meeting the right people is of course the best way to do anything, but you can't utterly dismiss a practice because it isn't familiar to you, when actually it is the standard that authors in the states have to work with.
That's fine: I was just expressing my personal opinion. It seems a shame if you are forced to cookie-cut your queries. Surely they'd appreciate something a little different? In the UK I don't think there are any hard-and-fast rules, or, if there are, I'd like someone to explain them to me!
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There actually are, but they are way easier. A simple cover letter with:
This is my book, it's this long, it's about a mom who likes to bake cookies. Here's my synopsis and first three chapters.
No hook, no quick synopsis (I think it's because you send the page long synopsis and first three chapters from the off as opposed the american one where it's just the letter). It's really easy compared to the demands of the american query letter (which is why I am SO happy I didn't have to write one!)
This is my book, it's this long, it's about a mom who likes to bake cookies. Here's my synopsis and first three chapters.
No hook, no quick synopsis (I think it's because you send the page long synopsis and first three chapters from the off as opposed the american one where it's just the letter). It's really easy compared to the demands of the american query letter (which is why I am SO happy I didn't have to write one!)
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I'd love to pitch in person. Unfortunately I live just a block over from the middle of nowhere, Illinois. (If geography ruled politics I'd be in northern Kentucky.) So, I query, and rewrite, and query again. Success? Not so far, 8 rejections and a request for a full out of the first dozen, but hey, I'm just getting started.
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I had one done and I am not going to use it. It cost $75 and I should have saved the money. The funny thing is that they did some other work for me and it was fine...So who knows. I am also having a hard time with my querey letter but will keep at it as I know it will happen...Good luck
[/QUOTE]quote=Azraelsbane;1421784]Just a question on this...
Is there any type of service out there that reads manuscripts and can be paid to write queries/synopses? I know this probably sounds extremely odd, seeing as I wrote the books and it would thus be logical that I would be best suited to create these things... However, I seem to have a query impairment, and although I spent thousands of words writing the novels it seems I'm much less skilled at writing the shorter things (aka synopsis).
I had one done and I am not going to use it. It cost $75 and I should have saved the money. The funny thing is that they did some other work for me and it was fine...So who knows. I am also having a hard time with my querey letter but will keep at it as I know it will happen...Good luck
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From my own experience, if the query doesn't work, it's very likely that pitching in person won't either because the problem hasn't gone away--it's just changed locations. And, even worse, most people in general are absolutely terrible at networking. Such an encounter with an agent or even giving a verbal pitch would never be fun for them. Two years ago, my co-writer and I spent nearly half an hour just calming down one writer who was absolutely terrified of meeting an agent at a pitch session. At a social encounter she probably wouldn't have even been able to get the courage to approach the agent at all. You're lucky you can do that, but not everyone has that skill.
I know there are existing literary consultancies that do just that - can be paid to produce a synopsis/critique yours, and put together a way of sending things out, and www.literaryconsultancy.co.uk does it, I believe. However, I have to agree - your 'voice' is something that comes across in a hook/query letter, the same voice that the agent or editor is looking for examples of, and if you can write a semi-entertaining synopsis, that's a good plan.
As for guidance; Writers' And Artists' Yearbook does produce a guide to query letters, and it's in this year's edition, like it would normally be. Check out a copy.
As for guidance; Writers' And Artists' Yearbook does produce a guide to query letters, and it's in this year's edition, like it would normally be. Check out a copy.
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*sigh*
In the US, the art of preparing your ms for submission is almost as technical as writing the darn thing. As a resident of southern Ohio, let me assure you that there is NO action in Kentucky. Agents in the US are primarily east coast and west coast with some scattered in the larger cities in the Midwest (like Chicago and Denver). In the US if you just showed up at an agent's office out of the blue with your ms they'd call security--and I don't blame them.
Writing a query letter is a skill that we have to learn. As with any formula, however, there doesn't have to be anything cookie-cutter about them. Every writer has a distinct personality that should show through. Get the information across, be friendly, professional, and succinct, set up your manuscript and call it a day.
In the US, the art of preparing your ms for submission is almost as technical as writing the darn thing. As a resident of southern Ohio, let me assure you that there is NO action in Kentucky. Agents in the US are primarily east coast and west coast with some scattered in the larger cities in the Midwest (like Chicago and Denver). In the US if you just showed up at an agent's office out of the blue with your ms they'd call security--and I don't blame them.
Writing a query letter is a skill that we have to learn. As with any formula, however, there doesn't have to be anything cookie-cutter about them. Every writer has a distinct personality that should show through. Get the information across, be friendly, professional, and succinct, set up your manuscript and call it a day.
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