tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post2978518023601104960..comments2023-11-02T06:57:11.400-04:00Comments on BookEnds Literary Agency: A Query Letter by Angie FoxBookEnds, A Literary Agencyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287278822065839469noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-84972417676716151042011-08-12T06:29:37.692-04:002011-08-12T06:29:37.692-04:00Dear Jessica, you describe this as a perfect query...Dear Jessica, you describe this as a perfect query letter. I would be interested in your thoughts on the suggestion that writers should initially personalize a query i.e. flatter the agent in some way or indicate why they are querying you in particular. Angie cuts to the chase immediately here, no pre-amble. This is what I'm doing -- unless I see that an agent insists on personalizing the query -- but I do wonder if the cutting-to-the-chase approach could cause a query to be ignored by agents who particularly want to be addressed personally or flattered in some way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-60605486199779841172009-10-29T18:38:03.603-04:002009-10-29T18:38:03.603-04:00Thank you for all this information. As a recently ...Thank you for all this information. As a recently published author, I found that the submission process was very hard and still feel like a babe in the woods. I’m ready to submit another book, and I’m trying to absorb as much information as I can about this process. The many articles in this site as well as the comments are all very helpful. I wish I would have known about this site earlier. <br /><br />Talking about query letters—I find some query letters to be a brief synopsis, with minimal details about the author’s background and I like this type. Others are more focused on the intended market and author’s background.<br /><br />I find it difficult to differentiate between a pitch, a query letter, and brief synopsis, so is it okay to use a query letter as a combination of the three?Les Brierfieldhttp://brierfieldbooks.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-6382092558400071352009-06-26T14:52:23.735-04:002009-06-26T14:52:23.735-04:00I love the book blurbs for Angie's books on he...I love the book blurbs for Angie's books on her website,too. If I hadn't already bought her books, those would have sold me.<br /><br />As to the query -- the bar has just been raised pretty high for the rest of us. (Thanks, Angie!)Becke Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05347467350985614111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-33407414571290920212009-02-11T19:20:00.000-05:002009-02-11T19:20:00.000-05:00I was so impressed with this query, I bought the b...I was so impressed with this query, I bought the book. And I'm glad I did. I picked it up and read it straight through. Wow. The story never lets up for a second. The action could have been spread over a couple of books and still been a page-turner. I can't imagine any agent turning this m/s away. It's got 'runaway hit' written all over it. Can you tell, I loved it?!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-59183045027203592422009-01-26T14:17:00.000-05:002009-01-26T14:17:00.000-05:00The rule is there are no rules. Just guidelines. Y...The rule is there are no rules. Just guidelines. Your job is to sell your book to the agent. Whatever works is the true rule.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-68450647664204049912009-01-26T09:08:00.000-05:002009-01-26T09:08:00.000-05:00Apparently, you can't trust agents to all have the...Apparently, you can't trust agents to all have the same taste. I guess they differ about as much as writers. Go figure. <BR/>Nice pitch, but it's longer than I would have dared. Of course, in this case it works well. <BR/>I may have to pick this book up at the library. I'm not a paranormal fan.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-12820547715321588452009-01-25T02:03:00.000-05:002009-01-25T02:03:00.000-05:00I'm so glad she got published. I was one of the j...I'm so glad she got published. I was one of the judges in the contest that netted her the editor request and got to read her first chapter. I loved it and gave her a very high score.<BR/><BR/>I'm happy to know others loved it as much as I did.<BR/><BR/>MicheleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-1362989833670715732009-01-24T19:48:00.000-05:002009-01-24T19:48:00.000-05:00I've heard that query letters should be written bu...<I>I've heard that query letters should be written business-like, yet you comment that it's good that a person's voice be present. Is there a way to know which is more preferred by the vast number of agents out there, or is it going to always be a case-by-case basis?</I><BR/><BR/>If you look back at the queries presented, you'll see that they all take a business-like approach. (There's no, "Hey, Jess, how's it going?" introductions. And they all contain the same elements: title, word count, description, and bio.) "Voice" refers more to the tone of the story. Whether you have a humorous novel or something dark and gritty, the pitch should reflect that. That's something all agents want to see.<BR/><BR/>http://pubrants.blogspot.com/2007/04/practical-query-magic.html<BR/><BR/>(By the way, Kristin Nelson has a list of "winning queries" on her blog. She tends to like longer queries, but I think you'll get a good sense of how "voice" can differ among queries, just like the ones presented here.)<BR/><BR/>Hope this helps!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-2598642517819159872009-01-24T00:00:00.000-05:002009-01-24T00:00:00.000-05:00You guys are in for a treat. The second book is j...You guys are in for a treat. The second book is just as wild and funny as the first. Mix Pirate the talking terrier with a magical hotel on the Vegas Strip, and an imminent succubi invasion poised to destroy the entire world, and you've got a fun ride.<BR/><BR/>JessAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-85366023950648490572009-01-23T22:00:00.000-05:002009-01-23T22:00:00.000-05:00Anon 10;48 - Not YA, especially later on in the no...Anon 10;48 - Not YA, especially later on in the novel.<BR/>Angie is such a clever girl. Great query letter, fantastic storyline, now I have to wait for the next book. *crosses fingers patiently*Natalie Hatchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09377665702278806398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-34823746065013723602009-01-23T20:59:00.000-05:002009-01-23T20:59:00.000-05:00I've heard that query letters should be written bu...I've heard that query letters should be written business-like, yet you comment that it's good that a person's voice be present. Is there a way to know which is more preferred by the vast number of agents out there, or is it going to always be a case-by-case basis?T. M. Hunterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04315726033990784930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-8850648027626936292009-01-23T20:57:00.000-05:002009-01-23T20:57:00.000-05:00This query is - as Sarah Silverman would say - bey...This query is - as Sarah Silverman would say - beyond. Talk about a captivating voice and story. (Not my "normal" genre, but I'm adding it to my "must buy" list.) <BR/><BR/>Jessica, I bet you were happy the day Angie's query hit your in box. Thanks SO much for sharing it. <BR/><BR/>And Angie, Way to write, girlfriend! ;-)Debra Lynn Sheltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08238268767406623274noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-74730287787767938052009-01-23T15:28:00.000-05:002009-01-23T15:28:00.000-05:00What I love about Angie's query is how she shows t...What I love about Angie's query is how she shows the stakes for both her heroine and hero--she's got to face the big demon, he has sisters to rescue. And she gives a solid idea of the "narrative drive" of the story, and show what is going to be a big source of conflict--the hero's lie. There's a lot packed in, but it flows so smoothly, and the voice is so strong!Sharon Pagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15204125452024951988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-57924963487942866772009-01-23T15:22:00.000-05:002009-01-23T15:22:00.000-05:00I picked up the booklet Angie put together of the ...I picked up the booklet Angie put together of the first chapter and cover at conference in SF. A couple of months ago, I was going through some things and spotted it. So I started to read. It was evening, my hubby was playing a computer game, and I was preparing to read a (different) book.<BR/><BR/>But when I finished the chapter, I told my husband, "I have to go buy this book right NOW."<BR/><BR/>And I did. It was awesome. :)<BR/><BR/>Lynn<BR/>www.lynnrayeharris.com<BR/>Spanish Magnate, Red-Hot Revenge<BR/>Harlequin Presents, Aug 09Lynn Raye Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05823590040842807378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-14258171810413547302009-01-23T13:43:00.000-05:002009-01-23T13:43:00.000-05:00So I guess the main rule is that if you're pitchin...So I guess the main rule is that if you're pitching something really good, you can fudge on the rules so long as you get your voice and concept across?<BR/><BR/>Thanks so much for sharing these query letters. It is nice to see what successful letters look like.<BR/><BR/>By the way, I, too, loved Accidental Demon Slayer. We were out of money at our library to buy it by the time I read it, so I donated my copy just to get it out there. It is constantly in circulation.Dianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01920175688407593776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-81058867507348421122009-01-23T13:25:00.000-05:002009-01-23T13:25:00.000-05:00Yay Angie, you and your query rock! I loved this ...Yay Angie, you and your query rock! I loved this book. Your humor and voice convinced a dark and serious science-fiction romance author to hook up as your crit partner, so there you go. LOL Anyone would love this book.<BR/><BR/>JessAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-83923980119095653822009-01-23T11:48:00.000-05:002009-01-23T11:48:00.000-05:00Angie,This is Anon 10:48. My frustration wasn't wi...Angie,<BR/><BR/>This is Anon 10:48. My frustration wasn't with your letter. I have been overloading myself with rules from several different places. From the heart is exactly where I am headed from now on. All of those rules may stay in the back of my mind, but I am not necessarily applying them.<BR/><BR/>PS I have read your book, it's great.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-22278952376995539662009-01-23T11:37:00.000-05:002009-01-23T11:37:00.000-05:00Sure, this query is longer than the average, but I...Sure, this query is longer than the average, but I can't imagine this being any shorter. (And I'm someone who prefers short and sweet.) The author does a wonderful job showing her quirky characters in action, the plot is clear, the stakes for both characters are laid out beautifully, and the author's voice comes shining through.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-55375688121815095122009-01-23T11:33:00.000-05:002009-01-23T11:33:00.000-05:00Thanks, Dave. It was important to establish right ...Thanks, Dave. It was important to establish right away that the main character is a more serious person. So by knowing that, then you know without any added explanation that the events described afterward are going to rock her world. I wanted to show that conflict, instead of just telling the agent about it.Angie Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05843918280581285622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-31422078664049469342009-01-23T11:26:00.000-05:002009-01-23T11:26:00.000-05:00Yay - thanks. How cool that so many people have re...Yay - thanks. How cool that so many people have read the book.<BR/><BR/>Anon 10:48 commented on length. Five paragraphs is kind of long. I tried to shorten it, but found I didn't want to fiddle too much with the rythm I had going. For me, it was about hooking an agent and if that meant tossing in an extra paragraph, I figured if they were interested, they'd go along for the ride.<BR/><BR/>It was more of a question of relating. If I had a chance to sit down and have a quick chat with an agent, what would I say about my book? <BR/><BR/>I think if you write from the heart, it helps. This letter only went to my top, top agent picks and it did generate a fantastic response.Angie Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05843918280581285622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-52105577862025528332009-01-23T11:25:00.000-05:002009-01-23T11:25:00.000-05:00I love the way the query starts out so normal and ...I love the way the query starts out so normal and then quickly descends into totally silly fun and complete quirkiness.Dave Fragmentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17985158361431606939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-25928307300036913042009-01-23T11:17:00.001-05:002009-01-23T11:17:00.001-05:00The book is fantastic, by the way. I heard about i...The book is fantastic, by the way. I heard about it from this blog and practically devoured it in a short time.DeadlyAccuratehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08361707307035259942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-2167904027027210992009-01-23T11:17:00.000-05:002009-01-23T11:17:00.000-05:00This is a great query, Angie. Thanks for sharing. ...This is a great query, Angie. Thanks for sharing. It's the perfect example of the jump right in style, and your voice shines through. Also, I like your suggestion, Jessica, to add a telephone number beneath the signature line in an email query. Thanks so much, this has been a really helpful week.Robena Granthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18389730409379890816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-21123385482582824622009-01-23T10:50:00.000-05:002009-01-23T10:50:00.000-05:00Another fabulous query. Thanks so much for postin...Another fabulous query. Thanks so much for posting these! I learn well by example.Casey Somethinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596079290053524103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-23269372870312982922009-01-23T10:48:00.000-05:002009-01-23T10:48:00.000-05:00Five paragraphs, another one of those things I hea...Five paragraphs, another one of those things I heard was an absolute no-no from one of the blogs. Now we know why I have bald spots on my scalp. I have decided not to follow anyones advice and go by instinct. Although, Jessica, I prefer your advice, you are way down to earth. Oh, and isn't this a YA? Jessica, do you take those? If so I had better add you to my list, because I never realized you did those, and I really think I would enjoy having you as an agent. When I start querying I may look you up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com