Unique and special.

PeeDee · Dec 13, 2006

So. I was checking (ack! passive sentence! BZZZT!) out the web-sites of some agents and agencies which I want to submit to. I came across this:

Please send us a query letter of no more than two pages, which includes your credentials, an explanation of what makes your book unique and special, and a synopsis. Also, please include a self-addressed-stamped-envelope for our reply, which generally takes six to eight weeks.

All pretty standard and normal stuff, I think....except....

I have NO idea how to explain what makes my book unique and special.

What on earth do I put there!?

Would would you put there? "My book is the most bestest a'cuse I wrote it! My book is better than Steve King, Johnny Steinback, and Annie Rice all rolled up together, yum yum!"

You get the point. How do you answer this question yourselves?

Rolling Thunder · Dec 13, 2006

Well, if it's a rather thick, heavy book and you squash Unique in it.....that would be special.

(I'll be back later with a grown up response. These things take time.)

farfromfearless · Dec 13, 2006

"Because my book R00Lz the universe!!"

That's a stonewall - geez, now that I think of it, how the hell do you answer a question like that? Bravo to whomever can answer that one for themselves in the first five minutes of reading that question.

Julie Worth · Dec 13, 2006

PeeDee said:
So. I was checking (ack! passive sentence! BZZZT!) out the web-sites of some agents and agencies which I want to submit to.

Not passive, but the which should be that. And web-sites has evolved into websites.

johnzakour · Dec 13, 2006

Here's how I answered that question with my first novel: My book is what you would get If you put Hitchhiker’s Guide and Blade Runner in a blender.

anodyne · Dec 13, 2006

um...

wouldn't you just do your hook? Or say that your book fills a particular niche in your genre?

rugcat · Dec 13, 2006

I wouldn't worry about it. Your query letter is going to give them all the info they need to make a decision about whether they want to pursue it. No agent is ever going to think, "Hmm, nice query, interesting premise, but wait--he forgot to explain why it's unique and special like we asked. Straight to the trash it goes."

Of course if you really have a unique hook, it's a great selling point.

"Dear Editor,

The fact that I actually am a werewolf gives this book added weight and verisimilitude."

PeeDee · Dec 13, 2006

"And that is why you should publish my fiction novel, Moby Dick.

Sincerely,
Ishmael."

Vomaxx · Dec 13, 2006

"Unique and special" is redundant, isn't it? If something is unique, one-of-a-kind, it must be special.

TsukiRyoko · Dec 13, 2006

Say it causes an erection... of the mind.

JeanneTGC · Dec 13, 2006

Tempting as it is to joke...I have been in this situation too much and know the pain.

It's in your query letter. Your book is unique and special because it deals with a new take on Faeryland and how its denizens affect and interact with the modern world, told through one man's struggle to overcome life-shattering changes yet still manage to save the world. (Or something along those lines.)

Look for the log line (ie: what one sentence would you use to pitch if you were trying to convince Hollywood to make a movie out of it). One caveat -- most agents are not impressed when you compare your book to another book or a movie. In person it's okay to say "a cross between the Wizard of Oz and Blade Runner". In writing, you're better off saying, "a cross of fantasy and futuristic elements". Or somesuch.

(Back to the latest short story WIP which is a great distraction from the necessary new query letters WIP which is a great distraction from doing the final edits on the latest completed novel WIP which is a great distraction from sleep. If only the damned short story would figure out how it should end, all would be well.)

PeeDee · Dec 13, 2006

I was curious how other people handled this when it popped up. For my own book, I've got a couple of ideas. Barring those, I'll just submit to someone who doesn't want anything unique of me....

blacbird · Dec 13, 2006

PeeDee said:
I have NO idea how to explain what makes my book unique and special.

Back when I was growing up, my parents used both these terms as euphemisms for someone who was mentally retarded. Hope that helps.

caw

JeanneTGC · Dec 13, 2006

PeeDee said:
I was curious how other people handled this when it popped up. For my own book, I've got a couple of ideas. Barring those, I'll just submit to someone who doesn't want anything unique of me....

Don't worry. If they don't want unique and special, they want really well written and engaging. Or spectacular. Or thrilling. Or something that just drags them in and never lets go. Or only truly exceptional writing with great merit.

So, be sure to send that, not something else.

PeeDee · Dec 13, 2006

I only send my truly exceptional writing with great merit to PublishAmerica. Everyone else gets the left overs. It's the only sane thing to do.

Right?

.......right???

PeeDee · Dec 13, 2006

blacbird said:
Back when I was growing up, my parents used both these terms as euphemisms for someone who was mentally retarded. Hope that helps.

caw

My parents did that too. Interesting.

SO really I'm asking "What makes your book mentally retarded, and how would you explain it to agents?"

JeanneTGC · Dec 13, 2006

PeeDee said:
My parents did that too. Interesting.

SO really I'm asking "What makes your book mentally retarded, and how would you explain it to agents?"

At this point, I am thinking of hating my book and never speaking to an agent again. But, tomorrow, when I change my mind, maybe I'll go with, "It's written using many small words."

Inkdaub · Dec 14, 2006

You mind if I use that line about the graphic designer?

Linda Adams · Dec 14, 2006

What they're not looking for is what everyone else is writing or has done. A lot of people never take the extra step to really come up with something different. For example with a fantasy, someone might summarize it is a wizard who wants to take over a kingdom and will cause millions to die. Okay. So what? That's probably the plotline of fifty others on the agent's desk. Yours has to stand out from the other fifty, so what is it about yours that makes it stand out from those. That's what's unique and special.

MattW · Dec 14, 2006

Linda Adams said:
a wizard who wants to take over a kingdom and will cause millions to die.

Special and unique would be that the wizard is evil and vile, but he's a sympathetic protagonist, and the need for the conquest is justified to him, and ambiguous to the reader.

sfecphory · Dec 14, 2006

My book is written in Esperanto.

Higgins · Dec 14, 2006

Passive?

PeeDee said:
So. I was checking (ack! passive sentence! BZZZT!) out the web-sites of some agents and agencies...

"I was checking out XYZ" is not a passive verb. It is active.

The passive would be "I was being checked out by XYZ."

This illustrates another problem with "following the rules"...for example: to avoid passive verbs you have to know what passive verbs are.

Zolah · Dec 14, 2006

They want your hook!

My book is unique and special because it will appeal to all the girls aged between 12 and 16 who love the strong fantasy action of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, but long for positive, leading female characters whom they can identify with, and a fully evolved romantic story.

Or something like that. Basically you're telling them your niche.

Miss Java · Dec 14, 2006

sfecphory said:
My book is written in Esperanto.

Do you think Pig Latin would be unique enough for them? :idea:

Miss Java · Dec 14, 2006

PeeDee said:
My parents did that too. Interesting.

SO really I'm asking "What makes your book mentally retarded, and how would you explain it to agents?"

Now, Now. How rude can you get! It's mentally challenged. You have to be careful now days. Retarded is just not PC.

What makes your book mentally challenged? Yeah, that is better.

Unique and special.

Where's my tea, please...?

What? I have a title?

Dangerous with a Keyboard

Lost in the Fog

Where's my tea, please...?

Forced into cell phone life

I *am* Catwoman...and Gini Koch

Where's my tea, please...?

I *am* Catwoman...and Gini Koch

Where's my tea, please...?

Where's my tea, please...?

I *am* Catwoman...and Gini Koch

wrapped in plastic

Soldier, Storyteller

Company Man

Over the hills and far away

Awesome R Us

Awesome R Us

I am Catwoman...and Gini Koch

I am Catwoman...and Gini Koch

I am Catwoman...and Gini Koch