The Query: Sell Your Story Part 1
Most of us don't look forward to writing the query, but in my opinion, it's the most important part in snagging an agent or editor's attention.
This is really hitting me because I'm a judge in a contest that includes the query as part of the submission.
Brace yourselves:
Several queries were not good. Not horrible, but not anything that would entice me to read more. Imagine my surprise when some of the entries were really, really good. Solid writing, intriguing plots...yet I would've never guessed by the query.
If an agent doesn't read pages, they have nothing to go by but the query.
And if the query doesn't dazzle: form rejection.
What do you know about writing queries? Have you written yours and was it easier than you thought, or more difficult?
This is really hitting me because I'm a judge in a contest that includes the query as part of the submission.
Brace yourselves:
Several queries were not good. Not horrible, but not anything that would entice me to read more. Imagine my surprise when some of the entries were really, really good. Solid writing, intriguing plots...yet I would've never guessed by the query.
If an agent doesn't read pages, they have nothing to go by but the query.
And if the query doesn't dazzle: form rejection.
What do you know about writing queries? Have you written yours and was it easier than you thought, or more difficult?
Comments
Not easy!
Now the synopsis...they're UNfun.
:-) That's pretty awesome too. Congrats.
Jennifer, it's great you like queries! I agree, synopses STINK!
LOL Donna! I think they're challenging, but maybe only because we're so close to our stories. If the plot is strong and cohesive, then sometimes it just takes an objective viewer to be able to point stuff out about the story.
Evil. Tabitha, I think I'm going to agree with you on that one. *grin*
February is sneaking up, Sherrinda. :-) I bet you'll do pretty good. Synopses are hard, but I've heard a lot of places that professionals just want to know where the story is going. If you capture that, then I think you're good to go.
And yeah, judging these entries is really helpful to me because I see in them so many things that I need to fix in my own work.
http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2008/03/query-letter-mad-lib.html
How fun to judge a contest with them!
1. Personalize query to each agent by something they said in an interview, etc...
2. Compare your writing / books to other authors / books already out there--giving the agent an idea of where you might fit on a bookshelf.
My agency has a GREAT blog that has devoted several posts to queries from an agent's perspective: http://bookendslitagency.blogspot.com/search/label/query%20letters
Rather poetic, that it was their blog which taught me to write an eye-catching query letter ... the very query I snatched them up with. Heehee...
Shall I call you Judge Jessica?
~ Wendy
As for me, I might be hit with Coke cans, but I love writing queries. I like seeing if I can capture the voice of my novel and sum up the work in a few short sentences. I start writing my query as soon as I start writing my novel. Sometimes before. It's just that much fun for me.
*ducks*
My crit partner Sara LOVES writing proposals, so I lean on her--literally! That's why the team concept is SOOOo cool!
Great blog...as always.
P
My advice is to get that all important hook for your query first. The rest is easy. :)
I've written a small handful of queries in my lifetime and instead of getting easier, it's gotten harder. I think that's because I believe more in what I'm writing now than I used to and I really want it to make a good impression on agents.
I'm a big fan of keeping it simple and professional. I've learned to keep the summary short, about three sentences, that are specific enough to give the agent a true sense of how you write and what the book is about and general enough to make them want to read more. It's a fine balance.
I always see you at Genny's place - thought I'd say hi. I have only written one query letter that has not been sent yet. I found it nerve wracking at best. My novel is not ready, I keep telling myself. So, needless to say, I don't send the dumb letter. I'm working on learning more about the publishing game...it's complicated.
Have a good one.
Kellie
For anyone interested, I wrote a four part series on queries on my blog (also linked on my website.)
www.nancyjparra.com
www.nancyjparra.blogspot.com
Thanks for a great post!
Cheers~
Thanks for sharing.
Blessings!
This is an area where I need help. More study is in order.
Blessings,
Susan :)
I have sick kids so I didn't get to respond like I want to to each of you. You guys are so honest! Thanks for sharing about your queries. They're interesting, for sure.
Nancy, thanks so much for the link. I'm going to put some links up, maybe Friday or Sunday, so I'll be sure to include yours. :-)
Jessie, you're funny! You'll get there. :-)
Good for you Kristen! I hope you have more success this time around. :-)
Angie, alot of agents do ask to see pages with the query and I think that's SO smart. So don't worry. If they ask to see pages and like your writing/story, then the query matters a lot less, imo.
Also, there is so much available out there about writing query letters, there's no good reason to not know what's expected.
Natalie, I'm pretty sure mine aren't great either. *cringe* Did the agents who requested take pages with queries? Could be your query isn't as bad as you think.
:-)
Hi Nancy, wow, to a publisher? I can think of one ABA publisher who takes unsolicited fulls, but that's it. Interesting detail!
Hey Julie, DON'T worry! :-) The query is NOT the clincher when it comes to representation. It's just what they go by to ask for pages. In the end, it's your story that'll close the deal. :-)
Eileen, can I come visit your hole sometime? *grin*
You're very right. The information out there is amazing. It's good to strut our stories, definitely. :-)
Ya never get a second chance to make a first impression.
Hope you have an awesome time in NY!