Monday, Wendy talked about #queryfail announcements on Twitter and gave everyone a chance to sound off on their frustrations.
http://www.booksandsuch.biz/blog/queryfail-frustrating-process/
Tuesday, she talked about query myths:
Myth #1: When I get a form letter or no response at all, it means either my book is no good or my query was no good.
Myth #2: If I don’t follow the rules for a query an agent will dismiss it out of hand.
Myth #3: Agents remember the queries they receive. If I sent an amateurish query early-on to an agent I’ve got that mark forever against me.
http://www.booksandsuch.biz/blog/queryfail-debunking-the-myths/
Wednesday, she wrote about using humor in your queries and gave some examples.
http://www.booksandsuch.biz/blog/queryfail-clever-queries/
Thursday, she posted on the negative impact of putting too much information (TMI) in your query letters.
http://www.booksandsuch.biz/blog/queryfail-tmi/
Friday, Wendy discussed the effects of putting over the top information or promises in your query.
http://www.booksandsuch.biz/blog/queryfailover-the-top/#more-6135
Wendy has written a great series, full of information that is helpful to both the new and the seasoned querier. I hope you hop over and check out her posts and their informative website.
Books & Such will accept e-mail queries for the following genres:
• Adult fiction and nonfiction
• Teen fiction and nonfiction
• Twenty-to-thirty something fiction and nonfiction
• Children’s and youth fiction and nonfiction.
(My Summary) Know who you are querying, their likes and dislikes, if you follow their blog let them know, go to conferences and meet agents and editors, and most importantly read their submission guidelines…
Do you have any query advice you’d like to share?
Thanks for all the great links. I'm definitely going to check them out.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about Stripes. My condolences.
Excellent post. Worthy of a gold star in Google Reader.
ReplyDeleteI have no advice to offer as I'm currently in the throws of preparing a query letter. Perhaps another time when I actually have something constructive to impart.
Once again, I'm sorry to hear about, Stripes :(
Yep...I'll be bookmarking this post for future reference. Excellent information that I'll hopefully be putting use in a couple of months.
ReplyDeleteThank you!! :)
What a nice blog there at Books & Such, I hadn't seen it before. Thanks for the link. Queries are so critical, it's nice to get this insider insight!
ReplyDeleteExcellent information, Sharon! Thanks for sharing!! I'll definitely head on over to the Books & Such blog very soon...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great info and links - I'm going to pass your link on to another blogger friend who's working on her query right now.
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDeletethanks for the helpful links - books and such are now bookmarked!! Actually it's a really helpful website isn't it? I've just been browsing through their blog and they're very thorough with their query critiquing! All good stuff.
And big hugs for your loss of the wonderful Stripes. His star shines ever so bright over the bridge.
Take care
x
Fantastic post, Sharon. Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteMartina
Thanks for the great links. I'm off to check them out! (I'm very sorry for your loss. My kitty is 13 and I worry about her. Try to enjoy your weekend.)
ReplyDeleteGreat links! I'm headed there next.
ReplyDeleteAs for query advice, I think the most important thing is to try not to take it personally. Oh, sure, you may need some time to wallow (chocolate helps), but shake it off and carry on. Nothing personal, you just weren't right for each other.
I agree that checking each agent's guidelines is vital because they vary widely. Being clear and concise is also a huge plus (word count and genre upfront), as is having a specific and memorable hook.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think it's really important to be working on a new project during the query process, to keep yourself sane! Throw yourself into your writing and the time will pass much faster.
I'm so sorry about your cat, Sharon. I know that pets are members of the family. My heart breaks for you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this. I hadn't seen these posts, so I really appreciate it.
Have a great weekend! :-)
omg i'm so sorry to hear about your cat!!
ReplyDeleteit's such a difficult experience. :(
thanks so much for all these fabulous links -- you're an absolute doll!
also: if your daughter likes the twilighty spoofs, she might be interested in this: http://stiryourtea.blogspot.com/2010/04/bella-cullen-vs-bree-tanner.html
tell her i say hello! :D
My advice: query in batches. That way you leave yourself room to improve your query letter, synopsis, or even manuscript as you work through your list of prospective agents.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link and info.
Hi Sharon, thanks for your comments. I missed blogging for a few days.
ReplyDeleteRe the quillfeather award. I just cropped and resized his photo and added the text - in my picasso photo program, but had to send it to a friend to get rid of the other chook in the original photo. When I gave it to Wendy, she brightened his colours as she thought he looked dusty!! hehe cheeky!
I hope you do make something with Stripes' photo, it's very special. take care xx
Glad to see you healing, Sharon. :o)
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for the summary. Sounds like an awesome series--I'm off to check it out!
really great advice, Sharon.
ReplyDeleteOh, Sharon, I'm so sorry about Stripes. We'll be thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteAs for queries, I think you've pulled together some great advice here. In our opinion, the single most important element of a successful query is voice. You've got to write your query with the same voice that you write your manuscript.
Great post. My only query advice would be to keep at it.
ReplyDeletexx
AM
I wish i had advice, but i don't... sorry for your loss BTW. i know it sucks to lose a pet.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the links, Sharon, and the tips! Querying is so stressful! Hope you're feeling better and having a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteI will check out these links! I have sent out a few queries and I know to keep them short and snappy:)
ReplyDeleteThank you for this great information. And, I'm sorry to hear about your sweet kitty : (
ReplyDeleteThe myths really vary agent to agent. So it's important to really research the guidelines and other material published, not just use a scattershot approach.
ReplyDeleteIt's like dating -- highly unlikely you'll find your soulmate first time out!