Submission packages take a lot of time to put together. It's very important to make sure you follow the specific directions on the agent or publisher's website. You have to read every detail. You don't want to go to all the work and shoulder the expense of submissions if it's just going to get tossed in the trash because you didn't follow directions.
Now for the test.
The next paragraph is a set of directions for submitting to a fantasti, albeit completely FAKE, literary agent. We'll call her Ms. Persnickety. Follow the directions perfectly and you'll be put into a drawing for a fantastic SCWW Prize Package. If you don't follow directions, I might use your entry as a teaching tool. I'm not looking for a good hook, clever plot twists, or high concept. We're just seeing how well we follow directions. The book doesn't even have to be real.
Directions
All queries should be directed to Ms. Persnickety. (Don't worry about a physical address. She only accepts email.) The query letter must fit onto one page. Please use one-inch margins. Do not use Calibri font. Please use 12-point Times New Roman or Courier New. Include genre, sub-genre if applicable, word-count and state of completion. Make sure to save your query letter as .RTF or .DOC format and email it, as an attachment, to lateia.sandifer@gmail.com. The subject line should include the word "query" and the title of your manuscript. If your manuscript is a mystery, include the word chocolate someplace in your query. If it's romance, include the word heart. If it's anything other than romance or mystery, include the word tomato. Please do not sign your real name. Make up a fake one--preferably a clever one. (Ms. Persnickety likes a laugh every now and then.) The query letter should be dated. Please sign your fake name using only lower case letters. All queries must be received by midnight on Friday, January 29.
You have your directions. I'll be blogging about query letters and the importance of following directions next week. The winner will be drawn from a pool of all the 'perfect' letters and announced on the blog.
Good luck!
Showing posts with label query letters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label query letters. Show all posts
Fiction Query Letters: The Good, Day 4
August 21, 2009
Miss Constance Writer
PO 123
Greenville, ZQ 01234
constancewriter@12345.abc
Ms. Dream Agent
Bestsellers R Us Literary Agency
123 Bleecker Street, Suite 100
New York, NY 12345
Dear Ms. Dream Agent,
My 90, 000 word novel, THE SCOTTISH LADY, is a Victorian Romance that will appeal to fans of Queenie Query and Write A. Chapteraday.
Even in these economic times, historical romances are selling better than ever. Victorian romance is becoming a big seller, all but replacing novels set in the Regency Period. Even though THE SCOTTISH LADY is a very unique story, it should fit well with your other titles, such as Ima Writer’s Rogue’s Risk and Jewel Ofabook’s Marriage Mart.
When Catherine MacGregor’s husband is killed in a carriage accident, she becomes the richest widow in Scotland. When her unscrupulous step-brother is appointed her guardian, she realizes she must leave Glenloch, the only home she’s ever known before he marries her off to some cash-poor aristocrat. Dressed as a governess, she escapes to Dundee where she plans to catch a train to Edinburgh. Her plans are foiled when the bridge over the Firth of Tay collapses, leaving Dundee with no train service.
She checks into an inn where she meets Duncan Frazier. He’s not the merchant’s son he claims to be; she can tell by the cut of his coat and the clip of his upper-crust accent that he’s aristocracy. She’s drawn to his intelligence and his dedication to helping the poor families of Dundee, but she’s not about to fall in love. Marriage is a mistake she won’t make again. Duncan needs a wife and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to capture Catherine, heart and soul.
Filled with twists and turns, THE SCOTTISH LADY, is filled with light-hearted misunderstandings, sizzling romance, and rich historical detail.
I am a member of the South Carolina Writers’ Workshop and TypingDreams, a critique group. THE SCOTTISH LADY won first place in the Love Me Contest sponsored by the Greenville RWA Chapter. The contest was judged by Stellar Editor of BookHouse.
As stated in your guidelines, I have included a synopsis and the first ten pages Thank you for considering THE SCOTTISH LADY and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Constance Writer
Miss Constance Writer
PO 123
Greenville, ZQ 01234
constancewriter@12345.abc
Ms. Dream Agent
Bestsellers R Us Literary Agency
123 Bleecker Street, Suite 100
New York, NY 12345
Dear Ms. Dream Agent,
My 90, 000 word novel, THE SCOTTISH LADY, is a Victorian Romance that will appeal to fans of Queenie Query and Write A. Chapteraday.
Even in these economic times, historical romances are selling better than ever. Victorian romance is becoming a big seller, all but replacing novels set in the Regency Period. Even though THE SCOTTISH LADY is a very unique story, it should fit well with your other titles, such as Ima Writer’s Rogue’s Risk and Jewel Ofabook’s Marriage Mart.
When Catherine MacGregor’s husband is killed in a carriage accident, she becomes the richest widow in Scotland. When her unscrupulous step-brother is appointed her guardian, she realizes she must leave Glenloch, the only home she’s ever known before he marries her off to some cash-poor aristocrat. Dressed as a governess, she escapes to Dundee where she plans to catch a train to Edinburgh. Her plans are foiled when the bridge over the Firth of Tay collapses, leaving Dundee with no train service.
She checks into an inn where she meets Duncan Frazier. He’s not the merchant’s son he claims to be; she can tell by the cut of his coat and the clip of his upper-crust accent that he’s aristocracy. She’s drawn to his intelligence and his dedication to helping the poor families of Dundee, but she’s not about to fall in love. Marriage is a mistake she won’t make again. Duncan needs a wife and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to capture Catherine, heart and soul.
Filled with twists and turns, THE SCOTTISH LADY, is filled with light-hearted misunderstandings, sizzling romance, and rich historical detail.
I am a member of the South Carolina Writers’ Workshop and TypingDreams, a critique group. THE SCOTTISH LADY won first place in the Love Me Contest sponsored by the Greenville RWA Chapter. The contest was judged by Stellar Editor of BookHouse.
As stated in your guidelines, I have included a synopsis and the first ten pages Thank you for considering THE SCOTTISH LADY and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Constance Writer
Fiction Query Letters: The Ugly, Day 3
THE UGLY
August 21, 2009
Dear Ms. Rainmaker,
My book, THE WINTER CHILD is a completed 400 page novel. It explores themes of grief and loss from the viewpoint of a 10 year old girl. It is my first novel.
Here are the facts:
It is written in first person pov.
It needs a good edit, but it otherwise ready to publish.
It should sell well to people who’ve lost someone they love.
I’ve never read anything like it.
My daughter read it (she’s now 25) and she said I captured how she felt perfectly.
My friend, who’s a NYT Bestselling author, said I needed to get an agent. She read it an loved it.
I volunteer with Hospice
I wrote it after watching my daughter struggle with the death of her father, my husband. It isn’t an easy read. Most of my friends said they cried, especially while they were reading the last chapter.
I plan to take some writing classes and get the book critiqued sometime in the near future.
I would love to send it to you.
Sincerely,
Maybe I. Canfixit
(123) 456-7890
maybeicanfixit@hopereallyhard.com
P.S.---Sorry about the coffee stain. It was the last piece of paper I had. LOL
**********
This looks like a query that should be rejected. There are style and spelling errors. It’s not in the correct format. But, if you look closer, there are some really positive things in the letter. It almost reads like the author is doing the opposite of the BAD AUTHOR. She’s seems to be missing the most important line items. There are some very compelling elements in this story, and there are clues that suggest it’s pretty well-written, even if the query isn’t.
What if it read like this?
**********
August 29, 2009
Ms Rainmaker, Agent
The Good Book Literary
123 Elm Street
Greenwich, CT 01234
Dear Ms. Rainmaker,
My book, THE WINTER CHILD is a completed 100,000 novel. It explores themes of grief and loss from the viewpoint of a ten year old girl named Cassie who’s just lost her father to cancer. It would appeal to a wide range of readers. It is appropriate for young adults as well as adults. Anyone who’s lost a loved one to cancer could identify with parts of the novel.
Cassie is only nine years old when her father tells her he has less than a year to live. She’s daddy’s girl and she can’t imagine her life without him. The bone-shattering grief she experiences when he dies changes her life and her mother, always a minor character in her life, becomes the center of her world. When, at the end of the summer, she must leave her mother’s constant care and return to school, she refuses to leave her room.
Her mother, Nancy, tries everything to pull her daughter from the frozen world of grief she’s living in, but nothing seems to work. Until she stumbles upon a story Cassie and her father were writing together. Nancy moves an easel and a writing desk into Cassie’s room and the two of them set out to finish the book. In the following months, the two bond deeply and when the book is completed, Cassie learns to cope with her pain.
After reading the manuscript, Leading Author, bestselling author of TIME IS A PAIN and WATERBOY, suggested I contact you.
After losing my husband to cancer, I became a volunteer Hospice Grief counselor, so I am familiar with the range of emotions families must deal with after the loss of a loved one.
Thank you for considering THE WINTER CHILD. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Maybe I. Fixedit
(123) 456-7890
maybeifixited@hopereallyhard.com
************
Doesn't the book sound much more compelling?
August 21, 2009
Dear Ms. Rainmaker,
My book, THE WINTER CHILD is a completed 400 page novel. It explores themes of grief and loss from the viewpoint of a 10 year old girl. It is my first novel.
Here are the facts:
It is written in first person pov.
It needs a good edit, but it otherwise ready to publish.
It should sell well to people who’ve lost someone they love.
I’ve never read anything like it.
My daughter read it (she’s now 25) and she said I captured how she felt perfectly.
My friend, who’s a NYT Bestselling author, said I needed to get an agent. She read it an loved it.
I volunteer with Hospice
I wrote it after watching my daughter struggle with the death of her father, my husband. It isn’t an easy read. Most of my friends said they cried, especially while they were reading the last chapter.
I plan to take some writing classes and get the book critiqued sometime in the near future.
I would love to send it to you.
Sincerely,
Maybe I. Canfixit
(123) 456-7890
maybeicanfixit@hopereallyhard.com
P.S.---Sorry about the coffee stain. It was the last piece of paper I had. LOL
**********
This looks like a query that should be rejected. There are style and spelling errors. It’s not in the correct format. But, if you look closer, there are some really positive things in the letter. It almost reads like the author is doing the opposite of the BAD AUTHOR. She’s seems to be missing the most important line items. There are some very compelling elements in this story, and there are clues that suggest it’s pretty well-written, even if the query isn’t.
What if it read like this?
**********
August 29, 2009
Ms Rainmaker, Agent
The Good Book Literary
123 Elm Street
Greenwich, CT 01234
Dear Ms. Rainmaker,
My book, THE WINTER CHILD is a completed 100,000 novel. It explores themes of grief and loss from the viewpoint of a ten year old girl named Cassie who’s just lost her father to cancer. It would appeal to a wide range of readers. It is appropriate for young adults as well as adults. Anyone who’s lost a loved one to cancer could identify with parts of the novel.
Cassie is only nine years old when her father tells her he has less than a year to live. She’s daddy’s girl and she can’t imagine her life without him. The bone-shattering grief she experiences when he dies changes her life and her mother, always a minor character in her life, becomes the center of her world. When, at the end of the summer, she must leave her mother’s constant care and return to school, she refuses to leave her room.
Her mother, Nancy, tries everything to pull her daughter from the frozen world of grief she’s living in, but nothing seems to work. Until she stumbles upon a story Cassie and her father were writing together. Nancy moves an easel and a writing desk into Cassie’s room and the two of them set out to finish the book. In the following months, the two bond deeply and when the book is completed, Cassie learns to cope with her pain.
After reading the manuscript, Leading Author, bestselling author of TIME IS A PAIN and WATERBOY, suggested I contact you.
After losing my husband to cancer, I became a volunteer Hospice Grief counselor, so I am familiar with the range of emotions families must deal with after the loss of a loved one.
Thank you for considering THE WINTER CHILD. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Maybe I. Fixedit
(123) 456-7890
maybeifixited@hopereallyhard.com
************
Doesn't the book sound much more compelling?
Fiction Query Letters: The Bad, Day 2
Let' s start with the BAD.
*****************
Dear Sir,
One night when I was watching television, I came up with a great idea for a novel. Over the past six years, I’ve written that novel and it’s as good as I thought it would be---maybe even better. The book is 1200 pages long and ends with a twist you’ll never see coming. I think it would make a great HBO movie since there’s probably too much sex and profanity for CBS to buy it. The point is this: the book is so good, I know someone will want to make the movie. It’s a sure thing.
I would love to tell you more about the novel, but until I have a signed contract in my hand, I’m afraid you’ll have to wait. My book is so stellar I’m not willing to take the chance that you might steal my idea. I will be more than happy to pay you $10,000 if you will sell this book to a publisher for me. I want it to be a big publisher though. This might be my first book, but I was born to be a writer. I need you to complete the sale and have a check in my hand by Christmas. I have bills to pay.
I’ve sent this letter to about 100 other agents, but I haven’t heard back from any of them yet. But, just so you know, if any of them are willing to sell my book for less than $10,000, I will be signing a contract with them---not you. If you’re willing to cut me a deal, let me know.
I know you’ll want this book as soon as you read my letter, so just give me a call and we can make arrangements. I will not mail my manuscript---I’m sure you understand idea theft better than most people---but I will be in New York next week. I’ll be happy to stop by your office and drop it off. Maybe we can go to lunch and get to know each other a little better since we’ll be in this together soon, huh? At that time we can also talk about some ideas I have for other major motion pictures. I’m sure you’ll be interested in those, too.
I’ll call you next week if I haven’t heard anything.
Later,
Horrible Maximus**********
Where to start?**********
Dear Sir,
One night when I was watching television, I came up with a great idea for a novel. Over the past six years, I’ve written that novel and it’s as good as I thought it would be---maybe even better. The book is 1200 pages long and ends with a twist you’ll never see coming. I think it would make a great HBO movie since there’s probably too much sex and profanity for CBS to buy it. The point is this: the book is so good, I know someone will want to make the movie. It’s a sure thing.
I would love to tell you more about the novel, but until I have a signed contract in my hand, I’m afraid you’ll have to wait. My book is so stellar I’m not willing to take the chance that you might steal my idea. I will be more than happy to pay you $10,000 if you will sell this book to a publisher for me. I want it to be a big publisher though. This might be my first book, but I was born to be a writer. I need you to complete the sale and have a check in my hand by Christmas. I have bills to pay.
I’ve sent this letter to about 100 other agents, but I haven’t heard back from any of them yet. But, just so you know, if any of them are willing to sell my book for less than $10,000, I will be signing a contract with them---not you. If you’re willing to cut me a deal, let me know.
I know you’ll want this book as soon as you read my letter, so just give me a call and we can make arrangements. I will not mail my manuscript---I’m sure you understand idea theft better than most people---but I will be in New York next week. I’ll be happy to stop by your office and drop it off. Maybe we can go to lunch and get to know each other a little better since we’ll be in this together soon, huh? At that time we can also talk about some ideas I have for other major motion pictures. I’m sure you’ll be interested in those, too.
I’ll call you next week if I haven’t heard anything.
Later,
Horrible Maximus
Where to start?
1. No address or contact information. How would the agent call this guy even if he was interested?
2. No date---How will the agent know which week he needs to hide under his desk in case this dude shows up on his doorstep?
3. "Dear Sir"---H. Maximus didn't even take the time to find out who he was sending this to---what if it's not a sir at all?
4. There is no "hook." There's nothing in this letter that tells the agent ANYTHING about the novel. No word count, genre. Not even a title. And 1200 pages? That's an awfully long book.
5. Maximus is all about the cash. He's talking movie deals and the agent doesn't even know the title of the book. Putting the cart miles ahead of the horse. The mentions of money in this query letter make him look like a complete dodo. And how much does he think first novels are selling for these days? I'm sure all agents wish they netted ten grand for every first novel they sold.
6. All the references to "idea theft" make Maximus look paranoid. He also directly questions the agent's integrity when he suggests the agent might steal his idea. This screams NUTTY CLIENT who WILL TAKE TOO MUCH WORK.
7. Maximus makes huge assumptions: the agent wants the book, he can just show up at the agent's office, and that he sets the timeline for contact. All these are big mistakes. He comes off looking like a half-cracked rookie who might turn into a stalker.
I know the above FAKE query letter seems so wacky to most of you. You're thinking NO ONE WOULD EVER, EVER actually mail this. Right? Wrong. Agents and editors see queries just like this one---and maybe even worse---every day of the week. Which, if you're an aspiring author, works in your favor. You'd never send this. EVER. (If you do, I will know it and I'll send a little known branch of the police after you: THE DREADFUL QUERY FORCE.
Email me if you have specific questions about this one. There are no dumb questions at this stage. I'd be happy to answer anything I can if it will prevent you from sending a query letter like Maximus'.
Tomorrow we'll look at THE UGLY. As if it could get any worse. . .*evil laugh*
Fiction Query Letters: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
A query letter is probably the most difficult business letter you will ever write. In one page, you need to introduce yourself, introduce your manuscript in an engaging and interesting way, and tell the agent or editor how you heard about them and why your book might be a good fit for their list. It's easy to see why every word should count. Keep in mind, I'm focusing on fiction here.
Today, I'm going to focus on the basics. Tomorrow, I'll post some samples that will hopefully pull everything together.
The basics:
1. One page, 12 point type, 1" margins, 20lb white paper. (Just regular paper--no linen, or resume stock. Stay away from colors, too.). Use block formatting---no indents, just a line between paragraphs.
2. Your contact info should be in a block in the upper left hand corner or on simple letterhead.
3. Address the editor or agent BY NAME. No "Dear Sir" or "To Whom It May Concern."
4. Make sure to include important details like word count, stage of the manuscript(don't start querying until you're finished), and similar titles represented or acquired by the person you're querying.
5. Include a brief bio: publishing credits, pertinent memberships (e.g. SCWW, RWA), and what you're working on now.
6. Write a intriguing hook paragraph that lures the reader in and makes them want more. (Think about the blurbs on the back of a paperback---they make you want to buy it, right?)
7. If your dream agent or editor accepts e-queries, make sure to send your e-query only to one person at a time. No Bcc shortcuts.
8. Make sure to research each agent or editor you intend to query. Read ALL the submission guidelines---either on the Internet or in a book like WRITER'S MARKET.
9. Make sure your printer has plenty of ink and the letter is readable---no smears, or fading ink.
10. Include a tidbit of information that tells the person you've read the submission guidelines.
Now for the NEVER EVER EVER DO THIS SECTION OF THE BLOG.
1. Don't overdo your bio. A few lines are sufficient. You don't want to come across as egotistical, arrogant, or high-maintenance.
2. Never discuss pay rates. This is putting the cart before the proverbial horse.
3. Don't address the agent or editor as "Dear Sir," "To whom it may concern," or by any other generic moniker. Take the time to know who you're sending your query to.
4. Don't list other agents, editors, or publishers who've rejected the work.
5. Don't list copyright dates. Don't even mention the word copyright. (Another blog for another day.)
6. Don't use too much flattery and don't beg.
7. Don't include reviews by your mom, your critique group, or the family dog.
8. Don't pester the you-know-what out of the recipient. Give them ample time (at least sixty days, maybe more depending on their submission guidelines) to respond. This means don't call to make sure they got it, don't call to see if they've read it. Just be patient.
9. Don't send your query to people who are not looking for work in your genre or in general. If they're not open to submissions, take them at their word.
10. Don't include anything other than your letter, except a SASE, unless the guidelines specifically ask for something more like a synopsis or the first few pages.
Your query letter is likely the first introduction you will have to agents and editors who might be interested in your work. Don't send a sloppy or unprofessional query letter. Even though a good query might take weeks to perfect, it's worth it. It can make the difference in whether an editor or agent will even read your work. Take your time with your query letter.
Remember what your mom told you about FIRST IMPRESSIONS? It holds in publishing, too.
Today, I'm going to focus on the basics. Tomorrow, I'll post some samples that will hopefully pull everything together.
The basics:
1. One page, 12 point type, 1" margins, 20lb white paper. (Just regular paper--no linen, or resume stock. Stay away from colors, too.). Use block formatting---no indents, just a line between paragraphs.
2. Your contact info should be in a block in the upper left hand corner or on simple letterhead.
3. Address the editor or agent BY NAME. No "Dear Sir" or "To Whom It May Concern."
4. Make sure to include important details like word count, stage of the manuscript(don't start querying until you're finished), and similar titles represented or acquired by the person you're querying.
5. Include a brief bio: publishing credits, pertinent memberships (e.g. SCWW, RWA), and what you're working on now.
6. Write a intriguing hook paragraph that lures the reader in and makes them want more. (Think about the blurbs on the back of a paperback---they make you want to buy it, right?)
7. If your dream agent or editor accepts e-queries, make sure to send your e-query only to one person at a time. No Bcc shortcuts.
8. Make sure to research each agent or editor you intend to query. Read ALL the submission guidelines---either on the Internet or in a book like WRITER'S MARKET.
9. Make sure your printer has plenty of ink and the letter is readable---no smears, or fading ink.
10. Include a tidbit of information that tells the person you've read the submission guidelines.
Now for the NEVER EVER EVER DO THIS SECTION OF THE BLOG.
1. Don't overdo your bio. A few lines are sufficient. You don't want to come across as egotistical, arrogant, or high-maintenance.
2. Never discuss pay rates. This is putting the cart before the proverbial horse.
3. Don't address the agent or editor as "Dear Sir," "To whom it may concern," or by any other generic moniker. Take the time to know who you're sending your query to.
4. Don't list other agents, editors, or publishers who've rejected the work.
5. Don't list copyright dates. Don't even mention the word copyright. (Another blog for another day.)
6. Don't use too much flattery and don't beg.
7. Don't include reviews by your mom, your critique group, or the family dog.
8. Don't pester the you-know-what out of the recipient. Give them ample time (at least sixty days, maybe more depending on their submission guidelines) to respond. This means don't call to make sure they got it, don't call to see if they've read it. Just be patient.
9. Don't send your query to people who are not looking for work in your genre or in general. If they're not open to submissions, take them at their word.
10. Don't include anything other than your letter, except a SASE, unless the guidelines specifically ask for something more like a synopsis or the first few pages.
Your query letter is likely the first introduction you will have to agents and editors who might be interested in your work. Don't send a sloppy or unprofessional query letter. Even though a good query might take weeks to perfect, it's worth it. It can make the difference in whether an editor or agent will even read your work. Take your time with your query letter.
Remember what your mom told you about FIRST IMPRESSIONS? It holds in publishing, too.
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