tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post6284164880553257191..comments2023-11-02T06:57:11.400-04:00Comments on BookEnds Literary Agency: It's Not You, It's Your QueryBookEnds, A Literary Agencyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287278822065839469noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-40700595227028047212011-04-09T13:08:02.648-04:002011-04-09T13:08:02.648-04:00After paying a visit to SlushPileHell, I feel very...After paying a visit to SlushPileHell, I feel very bad. Just bad. Just about every entry had some element that had been "recommended" somewhere for query writers. Fortunately, so far, none I've employed. I try queries that have been critiqued by published writers in similar fields and I get "not very interesting." Is the agent field that rife with cynicism? <br /><br />I SO want to sign this, yours truly, Amanda HockingVirginiaLlorcahttp://dittymac.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-33888106568481437632011-04-04T09:12:47.320-04:002011-04-04T09:12:47.320-04:00120? Man, I'm having trouble with your 20 que...120? Man, I'm having trouble with your 20 query rule. In my first set of 5 queries I got one request for a partial, so did a major overhaul of the query letter. <br /><br />Though to be honest, I still think the one request was a fluke. Against all advice, I like to include a paragraph towards the end of the query on why I selected this agent to query. In that case i referenced a fairly obscure (but successful) book the agent had repped & tied it into the audience for my book. I guess it showed I'd done my homework, and a lot of thinking about my audience.<br /><br />After my major revision on the query, I so far have one request for a full, so I count that as a good revision. Fingers crossed.<br /><br />And on the 'querying sucks' point, yes, it does. And yes, it's unfair that a book is judged on your skills at writing a pitch letter. However, that is always the case. As someone else mentioned, it's not that different from sending resumes to get a 'normal' job. Partly it's following expected trends/ guidelines. Partly it's finding what the person reading it wants to see. Mainly it's about selling yourself and your work. And even if you bypass the querying process completely and self-publish, it just means you have to sell to the public directly. <br /><br />So writing a great book is never enough. You still need to be able to sell it.P J O'Learyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01121749745553250222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-19160785077754591222011-04-01T12:46:40.895-04:002011-04-01T12:46:40.895-04:00There are plenty of social outlets for good books ...There are plenty of social outlets for good books to be sorted from bad books. Amazon reviews, goodreads, librarything, twitter, book review blogs... Yes, a self-published author will have to do a little work to get those first few reviews, but I believe that is easier than getting a query letter that matches an agent's personal style/mood that day.Brycehttp://www.storyhack.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-42591900047606629452011-04-01T03:02:44.682-04:002011-04-01T03:02:44.682-04:00120 rejections?!?! yikes, I would have taken the h...120 rejections?!?! yikes, I would have taken the hint earlier than that.Trishahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16927558937796802496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-66136175318562654632011-04-01T01:10:00.874-04:002011-04-01T01:10:00.874-04:00I'm not sure if I've sent out 20 queries i...I'm not sure if I've sent out 20 queries in 5 years.<br /><br />Its so much harder writing the query than the nove :)<br /><br />Like a job interview, where you have to condense everything you know about a specific job (story) down to a 10 minute (2 minutes for the query) talk about yourself.<br /><br />Scary.<br /><br />.......dholedolorahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08715849844092553699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-71909964965005716552011-03-31T22:48:53.743-04:002011-03-31T22:48:53.743-04:00IT'S TRUE.
I queried several agents, but no d...IT'S TRUE.<br /><br />I queried several agents, but no dice. I kept working my query and was indeed worrying that maybe the problem was my book. In fact, when Jessica sent me a rejection she told me that perhaps she would have requested material if the query were stronger. Pretty much the proof I needed.<br /><br />After one final re-write and another batch sent out - 2 requests in the space of 2 weeks.<br /><br />(...psst, hey, Jessica - you wanna take another look? ;D Hehe.)Nicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04437698825217730840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-36226549750800084242011-03-31T21:14:37.292-04:002011-03-31T21:14:37.292-04:00I actually loved querying <> because it was ...I actually loved querying <> because it was fun. Granted, I was querying a humorous memoir so my voice was pretty snarky, but I kind of looked at it as a a game -- how can I make people laugh and want to see more? And I connected with our very own Jessica within a month of sending out my first batch of queries.<br /><br />In every job and every type of work, you have to play the game. If you don't, you won't get a shot. Sort of like sending a resume -- people hate doing resumes, but you have to do it to be considered. Queries are no different, in my mind. In both, you're selling yourself and your work.Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09465194403058080094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-11764316262138125492011-03-31T20:19:44.441-04:002011-03-31T20:19:44.441-04:00I have to agree with Jimmy that the process of pro...I have to agree with Jimmy that the process of procuring an agent is daunting. Let me say this also, some of us don't write short well. I can write a 150k word fantasy novel, but stumble over a one page query. It's not the same and you will be hard pressed to convince me otherwise. I do agree that if you continue to do the same thing repeatedly, you can't expect a different result, so rewrite the query and hope for a new reception.<br />Jimmy, not all ePublishers require a query, some request only a short blurb and your basic information. Another advantage to ePub's is you don't need an agent to contact them.Lorilyehttp://www.lostinthewriting.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-57273047966144946702011-03-31T18:54:21.791-04:002011-03-31T18:54:21.791-04:00Amen, Jessica. A query written well should draw so...Amen, Jessica. A query written well should draw some positive response. Of course, you shouldn't advertise what you can't sell, so you do need to start with a strong story. But agents and editors will never see that strong story if they can't get beyond the query. Great post!Jean Reidyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12103543981151799121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-76161722742308358502011-03-31T17:50:21.050-04:002011-03-31T17:50:21.050-04:00Actually, I confess I sent you an email with a que...Actually, I confess I sent you an email with a question on how to handle a query when you have publisher interest. Yesterday I found the answer in the archives. Shame on me. Sorry about that.<br /><br />That's to your previous post, I've nwt got a pretty good idea of how to head up the query and the information I need to include. Thank you - this blog really is a wonderful resource. (Providing we use it... *eyeball roll at self*)Victoria Kerriganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16957037073432262769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-25786890226457339822011-03-31T17:42:17.852-04:002011-03-31T17:42:17.852-04:00This is helpful. I'm not that far itno the pro...This is helpful. I'm not that far itno the process yet, but I've started rough drafts of a query, which has in turn helped me tighten my story. If I can't pitch the story well enough, then I maybe my story needs defining, which was exactly the case.Stephscohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06328839483008086049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-67119189912579676922011-03-31T17:13:23.682-04:002011-03-31T17:13:23.682-04:00This a great test on how your query letter is bein...This a great test on how your query letter is being received. The important thing though is to make sure it is being checked over by a critique group so you don't waste those 20 potential bites to find out (:Author Joshua Hoythttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01256754228034053632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-795403194375985872011-03-31T16:38:08.894-04:002011-03-31T16:38:08.894-04:00The secret to a successful query is a kickass blur...The secret to a successful query is a kickass blurb that encompasses the conflict of your story in a brief paragraph or two. At the query stage, an editor or agent doesn't want to know your life history. They're only interested in what kind of story you've written. GMC in a nutshell--that's the big, elusive secret. At least, that's been my experience and I always had a high request rate.Devon Matthewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12147639030654251761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-44515270310570528702011-03-31T15:03:13.849-04:002011-03-31T15:03:13.849-04:00Thanks jj. I'll check those out. I'm jus...Thanks jj. I'll check those out. I'm just frustrated by the query process right now, but I'll get over it and get back to work soon.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03383099643311487586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-2404062283188567112011-03-31T15:00:15.303-04:002011-03-31T15:00:15.303-04:00JimmyReno: Try to think of it this way: If you can...<b>JimmyReno:</b> Try to think of it this way: If you can write a good novel, then you <i>can</i> write a good query letter--i.e. you're capable of it.<br /><br />You may not know <i>how</i> to do it yet, but that's a skill that can be learned. <br /><br />(Erm. If it helps, I run a query critique site called <a href="http://querygoblin.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">The Query Goblin</a>. There are also sites like <a href="http://evileditor.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Evil Editor</a> and <a href="http://phoenixsullivan.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Phoenix Sullivan</a> that help writers with queries too.)jjdebenedictishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16950592240599703771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-80189637015224354692011-03-31T14:30:52.757-04:002011-03-31T14:30:52.757-04:00My WIP is still in the revision stage, but wheneve...My WIP is still in the revision stage, but whenever I get stuck, I work on the query. I figure that creating a great query will force me to distill my WIP down to what it's really about, and it helps me focus on what's important in my revisions.<br /><br />I do have some problems figuring out how to structure the letter. I'm finding that a lot of the agents will post letters they liked on their sites. I'll try and customize my letter for each agent.Scooter Carlylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06193754150220063430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-62584963225484798862011-03-31T13:57:42.336-04:002011-03-31T13:57:42.336-04:00Excellent reminder as I start gearing up to query ...Excellent reminder as I start gearing up to query in a few months. Definitely going to bookmark this for that reminder to continue. Thanks!Stephanie McGeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16507025637411479409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-10072184090556849112011-03-31T13:38:13.515-04:002011-03-31T13:38:13.515-04:00I send out my queries in cycles. If I am rejected ...I send out my queries in cycles. If I am rejected by 10 agents, I tweak it. I really struggled for a long time with my queries. I finally happened upon a formula for my latest query that seems to finally work. I find writing novels a breeze compared to writing a one page pitch! It really has been the most agonizing part of the process for me.j.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15058843051794480550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-853850763881735712011-03-31T13:26:44.028-04:002011-03-31T13:26:44.028-04:00Makes perfect sense. I know I've done practice...Makes perfect sense. I know I've done practice queries before and they've helped me realize some fundamental problems with my book.Darahttp://inthewritemind.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-79670852032293376372011-03-31T13:25:28.319-04:002011-03-31T13:25:28.319-04:00Queries to e-publish? Shoot. Guess I might as we...Queries to e-publish? Shoot. Guess I might as well hang it up then.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03383099643311487586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-56721603788822206252011-03-31T13:24:34.693-04:002011-03-31T13:24:34.693-04:00JHF: In defense of my writing group partner JimmyR...JHF: In defense of my writing group partner JimmyReno, that's not the point at all. I can write good cover copy, but I've been told by agents who are guarding those publication entryways that blurb copy does not a good query letter make.<br /><br />As I noted earlier, we're often stuck between very, very different agent expectations, looking for the magic formula. I'd rather spend all that creative energy on a new book than satisfying nebulous, ever-changing criteria.clpauwelshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17593765516891634999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-515170212453110372011-03-31T13:23:59.881-04:002011-03-31T13:23:59.881-04:00I agreed about the blurb, which is the same as the...I agreed about the blurb, which is the same as the cover copy. I just still think that writing a story and writing a query/marketing letter are very different skills, and it pains me that they're judged the way they are. Unfortunately, that's the nature of the beast. And by the way, my attitude is in no way reflective of the fact that my query letter hasn't even gotten me a shadow of a response yet. (Also a bit snarky...)Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03383099643311487586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-25725765769977028982011-03-31T13:22:49.588-04:002011-03-31T13:22:49.588-04:00Queries... synopses... blurbs... gee, all my (leas...Queries... synopses... blurbs... gee, all my (least) favorite words!<br /><br />I make myself write at least three queries per month for freelance stuff, and I still suck at it. (I figure that if - WHEN - my existing gigs dry up or slow down, as always eventually happens, I will be extremely sorry that I let my query skills get rusty.) My success rate is "meh," and I aspire to get it much closer to "not bad."<br /><br />Feedback from industry professionals is invaluable. However, sometimes I also find it helpful to try out the query language on an outsider, preferably a skeptical SOB who hears sales pitches all the time. The feedback is usually quite painful, but it tends to be right on. And it gets results.<br /><br />The rolfing approach to queries, I guess.m----- h----------https://www.blogger.com/profile/10816424995465508297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-15439943741046056052011-03-31T13:22:10.601-04:002011-03-31T13:22:10.601-04:00As someone who's published at a few e-publishe...As someone who's published at a few e-publishers, I need to point out a fallacy in Jimmy's argument. All of the stories I have out still had to be sent with a query. I'd be leery of an e-publisher that didn't want one.Seleste deLaney/Julie Partickahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05346934576672398786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-29363465214338747902011-03-31T13:13:27.255-04:002011-03-31T13:13:27.255-04:00JimmyReno:
I agree and from now on we'll stop...JimmyReno:<br /><br />I agree and from now on we'll stop writing cover copy for books. Instead you can go through the bookstore read the title, author name, look at the pretty cover and then read the first 5-10 pages of the book before making a decision to buy. As a new author, one with no audience, let's see how many books you sell.<br /><br />And yes, I couldn't avoid the snark on this one. <br /><br />-jhfBookEnds, A Literary Agencyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06287278822065839469noreply@blogger.com