Tip of the Day: for more information about queries, make sure to check out our old query posts for tips, sample queries that worked, and more.
After the Query Challenge I issued last week, several of you wanted to know more about queries. So for the next few weeks, it will be Query Central here on Tuesdays.
Q1: What is a query?
Basically it's a one-page letter you write to an agent or editor telling them about the current book you are pitching and brief information about your writing history.
Q2: What isn't a query?
It's not a summary of the book, but merely a teaser for more. Think back cover copy that makes you want to fork over your hard-earned money to buy the book.
Q3: What does a query look like?
For those of you who skip over the pink text at the top, there's tons of info on our blog archives about queries. Including sample query letters from Deena, Tina, and Lisa (who could ask for more?). Just click here or on the "Queries" label on the side.
Next week, I'll share one of my own queries!
--Emily, Miss Querylicious
This is so awesome Emily! I'm psyched that you're doing this. I hope I can use this information in the next few months. (It all depends how the revisions go.)
ReplyDeleteYou go, Kate! And fabulous post, Emily! It took me a while, but I finally put together the right query. It's now one of the samples on querytracker.net. (and yes, it did get me an agent :) ).
ReplyDeleteIt really helps to see what other people are doing and then get a sense of your own voice.
Nice!
ReplyDeleteMaybe for one of your posts you can talk about that last info about me paragraph. It's been awhile since I queried but I always found that part to be the hardest-- like what do I say? How much is too much? Do they care that I have three kittens named Coco, Cutsie, and Cuddles? (ok, I'm kidding about the kittens. But you know what I mean!)
Kate, you'll definitely have to query soon. Half the battle is getting over the fear.
ReplyDeleteCongrats Ghost Girl on finding the right mix and landing an agent. Good for you on sticking with it!
And good idea Tina. I think that's a hard one too, especially when you don't have "writing" creds specifically.
That's a great idea, Tina! That is the hardest part to write...I think. Heck...it's all hard to write! But seriously, for a lot of us who have no "official" writing credits, how do we hand that "about me" sort of information?
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