This too shall pass. It may pass like a kidney stone, but it will pass.
Author: J.J. Probasco
I'm a Word Wrassler. Sometimes I win...sometimes they do. It tends to keep the universe in balance.
Query Shark and Other Thoughts
I’ve blathered a little about queries for the last couple of weeks, but the subject demands mention of the Query Shark, and then I’ll have self-actualized on the subject and can move on.
Query Shark is the superhero identity of the mild-mannered metropolitan literary agent, Janet Reid. She’s well-known and respected in the publishing world, has represented many awesome authors, and has sold many, many books. Most of her considerable rep, however, comes from her efforts to drag aspiring authors, kicking and screaming if necessary, into the publishing world by helping them figure out how to interface with agents.
The basic interface, of course, is the query letter. You use it to explain to an agent how delightful your book is and convince them to hawk it around to the big publishing companies. Janet Reid wants you to succeed in your quest, and has developed at least three web entities that help.
The first is her regular blog, which has discussions and archives and many things that are informative or helpful, or maybe just funny and witty, which is helpful in itself. She discusses queries there a lot, answers questions, instigates flash fiction contests, and contemplates the foibles of the industry. You can find links to her other blogs there, too. It’s definitely worth a look, and you can find it HERE.
The Query Shark blog itself is a separate but inextricably intertwined project. This is VERY worthwhile to authors salivating after a lucrative career, because it gives you a tremendous amount of examples of good and bad queries, and what makes them either way. At least in her opinion, which is quite highly regarded. You can even send in your query to have her look it over and provide feedback under the right circumstances. Go there, look around, study, ponder. You can find that one HERE.
And lastly, she has a website specifically for private review, analysis, and feedback for your query. This one will cost you money, and given her range of experience and reputation, it’s most likely quite worth the expense if this is what you need. You can find that one HERE.
One big help from Janet Reid is a quote I saw in one of her interviews several years ago: “Write. Read. Never give up. Learn, rest, rethink, but never quit.” Good words. You might want to write them down and refer to them often.
Always keep in mind that every agent is an individual and they all have different desires and quirks. They’re frequently working for agencies that also have different desires and quirks. As an example, Janet Reid has said that different agents at an agency may have differing tastes, so you should query every agent at that agency who represents your genre of book. Some agencies I have queried state right in their websites that they share queries back and forth if they think a different agent might be interested, so DO NOT query more than one or they’ll toss you in the dumper.
So even for such an authoritative figure as Janet Reid, don’t just take everything any agent says as the final answer. Research each one and personalize your approach to them. And don’t limit yourself to just a few — the more you try, the better your chances of succeeding.
And always remember that the publishing business is fluid and if you don’t succeed today, you just might tomorrow. Always take all advice with a grain of salt…yes, even mine…and remember the immortal words of George R.R. Martin: “Just when you reach the stage that you understand how publishing works, and how to build your career, then all the rules change.”
Good luck out there.
Cheap Book
Not that I’m aggressively pushing my first book, since it’s been out there for a while and may be getting a little stale for some folks, but I’ve seen several people mentioning on social media that they’re staying home because they’re afraid to go out in public due to the CoronaVirus, COVID19, whatever you wish to call it. So I did a Countdown Deal for the Kindle version of my book to see what happens, and maybe some people will find it a good way to while away some time. And of course it’s not particularly noble of me because I just might make a whopping 60 cents out of it if I’m lucky, so there’s that. But I’m not holding my breath, though that’s not a bad idea with all the virus particles wafting about. Anyway, we’ll see how this works. Looks nice, anyway. Whaddaya think?
Thought For The Week
I don’t really care how time is reckoned so long as there is some agreement about it, but I object to being told that I am saving daylight when my reason tells me that I am doing nothing of the kind. I even object to the implication that I am wasting something valuable if I stay in bed after the sun has risen. As an admirer of moonlight I resent the bossy insistence of those who want to reduce my time for enjoying it. At the back of the daylight saving scheme I detect the bony, blue-fingered hand of Puritanism, eager to push people into bed earlier, and get them up earlier, to make them healthy, wealthy and wise in spite of themselves.
— Robertson Davies
Query Letter Examples
I wrote last week about the need and purpose of query letters — to get an agent for your masterpiece. This time I have a good article by Robert Lee Brewer at Writer’s Digest, which explains a little more about the query concept and also gives good examples of query letters that were successful in snagging agents. The snagged agents also give feedback on what captured their interest, and the examples are across several genres to add different perspectives.
While you’re taking a look at the samples, always keep in mind that agents are humans just like some of the rest of us, and therefore have a pretty wide range of what might get their attention. They are also looking for different subjects, concepts, or styles of writing at different times. Sometimes they want something different from what they normally see…and some of them want to see the same format every time.
What this all means is that you have to research each agent before you send them a query. Look at their websites, their social media pages, interviews they’ve done, and articles they’ve written — whatever you can find. This does make it a very tedious process, but everything worthwhile takes time and work, and you are so much more likely to succeed if you do your homework.
But here’s another caution: the entire industry is dynamic and what works for you one day may not work the next day. Some agents put out their rules and likes and whims, and then accept a writer who gives them a query that breaks all the rules, simply because it piques their interest.
So learn all you can, polish your manuscript as shiny as it can get, and most of all, persevere. Some days you’re the bug…some days you’re the windshield. Research and perseverance make you more windshield.
Here’s Robert Lee Brewer with much wisdom:
How to Write Successful Queries for Any Genre of Writing
(Click here to learn how to find a literary agent.)
The mission of your query letter is to convince an editor or agent that they want to invest time in you and your writing project. In that sense, a query letter is the first impression you make in what will hopefully blossom into a much longer professional relationship. No pressure.
In this post, I’ve attempted to share tips on what needs to go into a query letter and provide links to several queries (across several writing genres) that were successful.
What Goes in a Query Letter
For all the blood, sweat, and tears that go into query letters, it’s actually a pretty straightforward document that consists of an opening pitch (or hook), more (but not all) info on the project, and a little about you as the author. The order of these elements can differ, but I’m going to share the most common structure.
(Click here to learn how literary agents agree and differ on submissions.)
The Pitch: The pitch (or hook) is a concise statement that sums up the essential nature of your book. This concise statement is usually achieved in one or two sentences, and it gives your audience a sense of what the book is about and why they should get excited about it.
More Info: After a compelling pitch, many successful queries offer up a paragraph or three of evidence that supports that your book project is worthwhile, has an audience, and is worth their time. If your pitch doesn’t already include it, then this is a good place to include your book’s category (or genre) and word count.
(Click for the definitive post on word counts for novels and children’s books.)
About You: This is a concise statement sharing why you’re the perfect person to write this book. It could be that you have personal or professional experience that lines up with the subject of your book. It could be that you have good sales in the genre or an incredible author platform from a blog or YouTube channel.
However, avoid stretching the truth to make yourself seem more important. If all you have is an amazing book (and no other credentials), then just say something along the lines of, “This is my debut novel,” and leave it at that. If your pitch is on point, your manuscript will get to do the talking when they request more pages.
Example Successful Queries For Many Writing Genres
Of course, most writers know it’s better to show than tell (in most cases). So I’ve told you about query letters; now, I’m going to show you successful query letters—so you can see how others did it. Just find your category (or genre) below and click on the links to see successful examples.
Contemporary Fiction Query Letters
- Garth Stein’s The Art of Racing in the Rain, accepted by Jeff Kleinman of Folio Literary. From Kleinman: “First of all, putting both the words ‘Query’ and the title of the book on the subject line of an e-mail makes it clear why you’re writing—and it often keeps your e-mail from falling into the spam folder.”
Thought For The Week
Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedies.
— Groucho Marx
Beginner’s Guide To The Query Letter
Writers write. A pretty basic philosophy, but, sadly, there’s more to it than that. Writing is really all most of us want to do, and then have that writing appear out in the world and bring a nice dose of appreciation and fulfillment…and yes, even a little fame and fortune would be quite acceptable.
The sad part is that the writing won’t get out there by itself. You need a publisher. Some publishers will take care of your writing quite professionally if you give them a bunch of money, but the big publishers who will take on the responsibility, risk, and expense of the whole process for you…well, they won’t pay attention to you unless a reputable agent shows them your work. Now it’s getting complicated.
There are lots of other writers out there competing with you for those publishers, and the agents who can lead you to the publishers. You need to get an agent’s attention and convince them to take you on. How? The query letter.
The query letter is the basic tool every writer uses to find an agent. It tells the agent who you are, what you have to offer the world through them, and why you think they should want to represent you. Most queries follow a very similar format, though different agents have slightly different views about what’s most important and what attracts them, so you need to research them by strolling through their websites and blogs and social media to find out specifically how to tailor your approach to each. A great source for finding and researching agents is the Query Tracker website, and I’ve written another post about that here.
But actually writing the query is one of the hardest things you do as a writer, because you need to condense your entire work, your bio, and all your persuasive pleadings into one page. It’s a little daunting.
Here’s a thorough but concise article by Hannah Guy at Kirkus Reviews that explains what it’s all about in a nutshell, and it’s an excellent synopsis of the process. She also includes links to other articles that can clarify the whole thing a little more.
The main thing is: get started. Don’t wait until you have a finely-polished manuscript ready for the presses to start thinking about this. Learn what you have to do and start working on it while you’re finishing up your masterpiece, and if your query is ready when your book is ready, you can capitalize on the excitement and momentum of the manuscript to help you through the query process.
Good luck!
Conquering Query Letter Anxiety
BY HANNAH GUY • May 28, 2019
“Brevity is the sister of talent.” ―Anton Chekhov
While a writer can construct an entire world and then create a book—or even a series—around it, the prospect of crafting a query to a publisher or agent can often seem daunting. “I’d rather write another book than write a query or book description,” a new author once admitted to me. “It’s so much easier.”
For many authors, creative writing is infinitely preferable to promotional writing. Self-promotion may be uncomfortable, but if you want to sell your book, that’s exactly what you must do. The query letter is the “elevator pitch” for your book. In one page (and never more than one page), you must not only deliver a snappy, compelling short description but also sell the agent or editor on you. Like the cover of your book for readers, a good query letter is your best chance to grab an editor’s or agent’s attention and convince them to request your manuscript.
Is that a lot of pressure to rest on one letter? Yes. But it’s also easier to write than you think, because the guidelines and expectations are very clear and the letter itself follows a general formula.
Approaching Your Query
As you begin work on your query, remember that professionalism—plus research and polished formatting—goes a long way. We’ve covered the mistakes that authors can make when looking for an agent, and many of those “little errors” can add up here as well. Make sure you:
1. Check the submission guidelines. Ensure that you are following the editor’s or agent’s guidelines to the letter. Make special note of their policy on attachments (when in doubt, don’t send them), information they may wish to see, and what kind of books that they are looking for. Some publishers and agencies prefer email queries; others prefer mailed submissions. Almost everyone has a different set of requirements, so it is important to do your research and then follow the instructions. You may find it helpful to create a spreadsheet that tracks each agent or editor you’re querying, their requirements, the date you contact them, and any response you receive.
2. Address the agent or editor by name. Most agents and editors tend to dismiss queries that are not personalized. Addressing an agent or editor by name and mentioning their agency or publishing house shows you’ve done your research and are interested in working with them specifically.
3.Treat your letter as business correspondence. Your query letter will be judged not only on its content but also on its presentation. From “Dear [Name]” through each subsequent paragraph, your query should be formal and polished. Use a commonly accepted font (you can never go wrong with 12-point Times New Roman), left-align your paragraphs, and don’t forget to include your contact information at the bottom below your signature. Take your time and don’t send out your letter until you’re confident it’s your very best work and it’s completely error free. You also want to avoid gimmicks; let your writing speak for itself. Keep your book description in third person, and resist the urge to get creative with your formatting. No part of your letter should be bolded or in all caps, use colored font, or contain emojis.
4. Keep it simple. Seriously. You have one page to accomplish your goal. Your paragraphs should be short and to the point, focusing on only the necessary information. Resist the urge to get wordy. A good approach is to draft out all your paragraphs, then go back and eliminate unnecessary words or sentences and any digressions, and continue editing until your letter is tight and clean. If you have a tendency to be overzealous in your use of adjectives and adverbs, or you ramble on at length and without purpose, the agent will notice it—and will assume your book is similarly written.
Thought For The Week
I bet after seeing us, George Washington would sue us for calling him ‘father.’
— Will Rogers
The Meaning of Life
This is written by an outdoorsy-type person, mostly for outdoorsy-type persons, but if you’re not an outdoorsy-type person and shrug it off and turn away, you’re missing some good wisdom.
David E. Petzal is the rifles editor for Field & Stream magazine, where he’s been writing for almost 50 years. As he says, he’s learned a thing or two. But it’s not just about outdoorsy-type stuff…it’s about life, and how to treat it right. So there’s a lot of wisdom here, no matter who you are.
But if you’re a writer, there’s also an example of someone who can write sparsely and roughly, using plain ol’ words, and end up with some very eloquent passages.
It was a treat for me to read, and I hope it enlightens you in one way or another. Or several.
What Is the Meaning of Life?
David E. Petzal shares the most valuable lessons he’s learned during his lifetime in the outdoors
I’ve been around awhile. When I was born, there were men alive who had fought in the Civil War. I can remember bits and pieces of World War II, and I clearly remember life before television. I bought my first rifle in 1956, began shooting in organized competition in 1958, and got my first hunting license in 1960. After 70-some years of farting around on this planet, mostly out of doors, I can’t exactly tell you the meaning of it all. But as it says in the insurance ad, I know a thing or two because I’ve seen a thing or two. Here’s some of it.
1. Hunters, more than other people, are reverential of life because they know far better than others how difficult it is to stay alive, and how suddenly life can end.
2. There’s no worse experience than putting down a dog. She would die for you, and now she’s dying because of you.
3. Big-game hunting is the great leveler among men. Either you can climb the mountain or you can’t; either you can shoot or you can’t; either you hold up your end or you don’t. Money, education, and social standing have no bearing on any of this.
4. Nothing in the outdoors gets your attention like a grizzly paw print with water still oozing into it.
5. According to anthropologists, Neanderthals never built big fires to sit around and swap stories, which is one of the reasons why they vanished and our ancestors did not.
6. The best judges of character I have met are African trackers. Their assessments are brutal. One hunter with a drinking problem became “Bwana Ginni Bottle.” Of Robert Ruark they said, “He has bad legs and much fear.” To paraphrase Hamlet: Of all the people in the world, you do not want a bad review from them.
7. The great, unspoken allure of true wilderness, in an era when we are trying to remove all risk from life, is that if you screw up in it, you can die in it.
8. When The Moment comes, your armored, shockproof, waterproof, SEAL-approved $75 butane survival lighter will go click…click…click…click…click…click….
Thought For The Week
In politics as in philosophy, my tenets are few and simple. The leading one of which, and indeed that which embraces most others, is to be honest and just ourselves and to exact it from others, meddling as little as possible in their affairs where our own are not involved. If this maxim was generally adopted, wars would cease and our swords would soon be converted into reap hooks and our harvests be more peaceful, abundant, and happy.
— George Washington
In A Tale-Spin 