Michelle Hauck's Blog, page 77
April 9, 2015
Query Questions with Valerie Noble
Writers have copious amounts of imagination. It's what makes their stories so fantastic. But there's a darker side to so much out of the box thinking. When a writer is in the query trenches, their worries go into overdrive. They start pulling out their hair and imagine every possible disaster.
Here to relieve some of that endless worrying is a new series of posts called Query Questions. I'll ask the questions which prey on every writer's mind, and hopefully take some of the pain out of querying. These are questions that I've seen tossed around on twitter and writing sites like Agent Query Connect. They are the type of questions that you need answers for the real expert--agents!
If you have your own specific query question, please leave it in the comments and it might show up in future editions of Query Questions as I plan to rotate the questions.
Today, Valerie Noble from the Donaghy Literary Group is here to talk about her query slush.
Is there a better or worse time of year to query?Not that I can tell, yet. I'm still fairly new and was inundated with queries when I first started so it's taken me a while to catch up. Does one typo or misplaced comma shoot down the entire query?Definitely not. Do you look at sample pages without fail or only if the query is strong?I will always look at the pages. Do you have an assistant or intern go through your queries first or do you check all of them?Not yet, it's all me. I'd love to have an intern in the future. Do you keep a maybe pile of queries and go back to them for a second look?Yes. Especially when I feel overwhelmed from reading them, I don't want to reject someone simply because I'm tired. If the manuscript has a prologue, do you want it included with the sample pages?I'm on the fence on this one. I used to wonder why agents hated prologues so much but now I understand. So many queries include them and they aren't really prologues, or are totally unnecessary. But if a prologue is good, I like them. It's a fine line. How important are comp titles? Is it something you want to see in a query?It's helpful when an author understands his/ her genre and where their book will sit on a bookshelf. So I like comparisons but they aren't necessary. Some agencies mention querying only one agent at a time and some say query only one agent period. How often do you pass a query along to a fellow agent who might be more interested?Not often but I do pass something on if I think it might be a fit for someone else. Do you prefer a little personalized chit-chat in a query letter, or would you rather hear about the manuscript?I think a query should stay professional. Most agents have said they don’t care whether the word count/genre sentence comes first or last. But is it a red flag if one component is not included?I don't think it is necessarily a red flag, but a query comes off as more professional if they include those things. Writers hear a lot about limiting the number of named characters in a query. Do you feel keeping named characters to a certain number makes for a clearer query?Absolutely. Refining the query is important, remember this is the first time we are hearing anything about the characters so don't overwhelm us. Should writers sweat the title of their book (and character names) or is that something that is often changed by publishers?A good title and good names are important, but it's subjective and yes, publishers can and do ask for changes. How many queries do you receive in a week? How many requests might you make out of those?I've been closed for queries for some time now but when I first opened I received over 1000 queries in a 2 month period. Of those, I requested about 10%, which still gave me over 100 manuscripts to review. Many agents say they don't care if writers are active online. Could a twitter account or blog presence by a writer tip the scales in getting a request or offer? And do you require writers you sign to start one?I think an online presence is necessary but it does not factor into my decision on representation. Once they sign, yes, I encourage them to get active online. Some writers have asked about including links to their blogs or manuscript-related artwork. I’m sure it’s not appropriate to add those links in a query, but are links in an email signature offensive?I think it is okay as part of their signature. If a writer makes changes to their manuscript due to feedback should they resend the query or only if material was requested?Don't re-send the query. If a manuscript has been requested, I don't mind if the author reaches out and asks if they can send an updated version. What bio should an author with no publishing credits include?I'm fine with just "my name is...and here is a brief description of my story". What does ‘just not right mean for me’ mean to you?Usually, the pages don't draw me in. Or the story is something I have seen over and over again. Do you consider yourself a hands-on, editorial type of agent?I want to be. Fortunately, the authors I have signed haven't needed much editing from me. In my opinion, they are perfect :) What three things are at the top of your submission wish list?Light fantasy which is a mix of real world and fantasyScience fictionI like dystopian but it really has to stand out. What are some of your favorite movies or books to give us an idea of your tastes?This is tough. I read everything, all genres, except romance. Recently, I loved The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker, and I loved the movie The Grand Budapest Hotel.
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While studying chemistry at California State University, Long Beach, Valerie mastered the art of doing proper research, particularly for technical writing. Her love of science and reading merged when she began penning her first novel in the midst of her studies. In true scientific fashion, Valerie researched all there was to know about publishing. She connected with agents, editors, and other writers, and interned for Jessica Sinsheimer of Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency.
An education is never finished and Valerie continues to cultivate relationships and hopes to use her knowledge and skills in finding fresh new voices for Donaghy Literary Group.
Valerie loves science fiction and fantasy (think Kristin Cashore and Suzanne Collins) but reads everything under the sun. For her, it’s more about the writing and less about the genre. In saying that, Valerie is generally not interested in romance or paranormal.
Valerie is seeking Young Adult, and New Adult in the following areas:
Science FictionFantasyHistorical FantasyHistorical Fiction
Here to relieve some of that endless worrying is a new series of posts called Query Questions. I'll ask the questions which prey on every writer's mind, and hopefully take some of the pain out of querying. These are questions that I've seen tossed around on twitter and writing sites like Agent Query Connect. They are the type of questions that you need answers for the real expert--agents!
If you have your own specific query question, please leave it in the comments and it might show up in future editions of Query Questions as I plan to rotate the questions.
Today, Valerie Noble from the Donaghy Literary Group is here to talk about her query slush.
Is there a better or worse time of year to query?Not that I can tell, yet. I'm still fairly new and was inundated with queries when I first started so it's taken me a while to catch up. Does one typo or misplaced comma shoot down the entire query?Definitely not. Do you look at sample pages without fail or only if the query is strong?I will always look at the pages. Do you have an assistant or intern go through your queries first or do you check all of them?Not yet, it's all me. I'd love to have an intern in the future. Do you keep a maybe pile of queries and go back to them for a second look?Yes. Especially when I feel overwhelmed from reading them, I don't want to reject someone simply because I'm tired. If the manuscript has a prologue, do you want it included with the sample pages?I'm on the fence on this one. I used to wonder why agents hated prologues so much but now I understand. So many queries include them and they aren't really prologues, or are totally unnecessary. But if a prologue is good, I like them. It's a fine line. How important are comp titles? Is it something you want to see in a query?It's helpful when an author understands his/ her genre and where their book will sit on a bookshelf. So I like comparisons but they aren't necessary. Some agencies mention querying only one agent at a time and some say query only one agent period. How often do you pass a query along to a fellow agent who might be more interested?Not often but I do pass something on if I think it might be a fit for someone else. Do you prefer a little personalized chit-chat in a query letter, or would you rather hear about the manuscript?I think a query should stay professional. Most agents have said they don’t care whether the word count/genre sentence comes first or last. But is it a red flag if one component is not included?I don't think it is necessarily a red flag, but a query comes off as more professional if they include those things. Writers hear a lot about limiting the number of named characters in a query. Do you feel keeping named characters to a certain number makes for a clearer query?Absolutely. Refining the query is important, remember this is the first time we are hearing anything about the characters so don't overwhelm us. Should writers sweat the title of their book (and character names) or is that something that is often changed by publishers?A good title and good names are important, but it's subjective and yes, publishers can and do ask for changes. How many queries do you receive in a week? How many requests might you make out of those?I've been closed for queries for some time now but when I first opened I received over 1000 queries in a 2 month period. Of those, I requested about 10%, which still gave me over 100 manuscripts to review. Many agents say they don't care if writers are active online. Could a twitter account or blog presence by a writer tip the scales in getting a request or offer? And do you require writers you sign to start one?I think an online presence is necessary but it does not factor into my decision on representation. Once they sign, yes, I encourage them to get active online. Some writers have asked about including links to their blogs or manuscript-related artwork. I’m sure it’s not appropriate to add those links in a query, but are links in an email signature offensive?I think it is okay as part of their signature. If a writer makes changes to their manuscript due to feedback should they resend the query or only if material was requested?Don't re-send the query. If a manuscript has been requested, I don't mind if the author reaches out and asks if they can send an updated version. What bio should an author with no publishing credits include?I'm fine with just "my name is...and here is a brief description of my story". What does ‘just not right mean for me’ mean to you?Usually, the pages don't draw me in. Or the story is something I have seen over and over again. Do you consider yourself a hands-on, editorial type of agent?I want to be. Fortunately, the authors I have signed haven't needed much editing from me. In my opinion, they are perfect :) What three things are at the top of your submission wish list?Light fantasy which is a mix of real world and fantasyScience fictionI like dystopian but it really has to stand out. What are some of your favorite movies or books to give us an idea of your tastes?This is tough. I read everything, all genres, except romance. Recently, I loved The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker, and I loved the movie The Grand Budapest Hotel.
---------------------------------------
While studying chemistry at California State University, Long Beach, Valerie mastered the art of doing proper research, particularly for technical writing. Her love of science and reading merged when she began penning her first novel in the midst of her studies. In true scientific fashion, Valerie researched all there was to know about publishing. She connected with agents, editors, and other writers, and interned for Jessica Sinsheimer of Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency.An education is never finished and Valerie continues to cultivate relationships and hopes to use her knowledge and skills in finding fresh new voices for Donaghy Literary Group.
Valerie loves science fiction and fantasy (think Kristin Cashore and Suzanne Collins) but reads everything under the sun. For her, it’s more about the writing and less about the genre. In saying that, Valerie is generally not interested in romance or paranormal.
Valerie is seeking Young Adult, and New Adult in the following areas:
Science FictionFantasyHistorical FantasyHistorical Fiction
April 8, 2015
Getting the Call with Kara Seal
I just love sharing these stories. What could be better than a dose of happiness and inspiration! Thanks to Kara Seal for showing us what writing contests and conferences can do for you.
I found my agent through a good old fashioned writing contest. After unsuccessfully querying multiple novels and entering Twitter contests that (for me) didn’t pan out, I decided to try a different avenue. Because, why not? There is more than one road to any destination.In 2014, I entered the Colorado Gold writing contest organized by my local writing organization, Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. I became a finalist, and researched the final judge, agent Shannon Hassan, who would read the finalist entries (first 20 pages + 5 page synopsis) and announce her pick for winner at the annual conference. At the conference, I met her in person and she gushed about how much she loved my entry and requested a FULL!! After nothing but lukewarm responses from querying and a couple partial requests that led to eventual rejections, I was sooooo excited! And to boot, I felt like we really connected on a personal level. So, I won the contest and sent her my full manuscript a week later. Mind you, I was tempted to send it right away but I did the wise thing and did one last read through to make sure it was in tip top shape.Then I waited on pins and needles while she read it. I refreshed my email inbox more times than I care to admit. She emailed me a few weeks later to say she was enjoying my manuscript, and asked if I could send her sample pages from other projects so she could get a sense of the kinds of stories I like to tell. This, of course, was very exciting and nerve wracking because I’d never gotten such a positive response before! I polished some sample pages from old projects and sent them. And waited some more. And pestered my best friend and husband with questions like “Do you think this means she’s interested? This is a good sign, right?”Maybe a week or so after that (not like I kept track, pfffft), she emailed again and asked if we could speak on the phone. When she called, I was so nervous I paced around the house while we talked. She gave me excellent feedback on my writing, I asked her a few questions, and then she offered me representation!!!! Since we’d already clicked in person and I’d done my research I said yes right away! She had a track record for selling books, she was a hands-on type of agent, and most all she was genuinely passionate about my characters and my writing. She had all the qualities on my agent wish list.After we hung up I was in a daze. Did that just happen? Was it all a dream? I’d been working up to this moment for so long it felt surreal. I called my husband, my Mom, and my best friend immediately to tell them the fantastic news. (This seemed a much more sane and practical alternative to singing it from the rooftops). My husband was thrilled, but said there was no way he could top getting an agent as a birthday present, seeing as this all happened two weeks before my big 3-0 birthday.Signing with Shannon was a turning point in my writing career, and I am so excited to experience everything that comes next, including the good and the bad, because getting this point has taken an insane amount of dedication and hard work, so now that I’m here I don’t want to take anything for granted! I encourage anyone still in the querying trenches to consider other alternatives. Sure, query, but enter Twitter contests, enter writing contests, go to conferences and pitch to agents in person. You never know which path will work for you until you try. And whatever you do, keep writing, keep improving, and keep striving towards your goals! ---------------------------------------------Kara Seal holds a B.A. in Creative Writing from Colorado State University. By day, she's a Programming Assistant at a public library district. By night, she's a writer of young adult and middle grade fiction, and an active member of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and SCBWI. Kara is represented by Shannon Hassan of Marsal Lyon Literary. She lives in Colorado with her husband and their dogs, Link and Zelda.
I found my agent through a good old fashioned writing contest. After unsuccessfully querying multiple novels and entering Twitter contests that (for me) didn’t pan out, I decided to try a different avenue. Because, why not? There is more than one road to any destination.In 2014, I entered the Colorado Gold writing contest organized by my local writing organization, Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. I became a finalist, and researched the final judge, agent Shannon Hassan, who would read the finalist entries (first 20 pages + 5 page synopsis) and announce her pick for winner at the annual conference. At the conference, I met her in person and she gushed about how much she loved my entry and requested a FULL!! After nothing but lukewarm responses from querying and a couple partial requests that led to eventual rejections, I was sooooo excited! And to boot, I felt like we really connected on a personal level. So, I won the contest and sent her my full manuscript a week later. Mind you, I was tempted to send it right away but I did the wise thing and did one last read through to make sure it was in tip top shape.Then I waited on pins and needles while she read it. I refreshed my email inbox more times than I care to admit. She emailed me a few weeks later to say she was enjoying my manuscript, and asked if I could send her sample pages from other projects so she could get a sense of the kinds of stories I like to tell. This, of course, was very exciting and nerve wracking because I’d never gotten such a positive response before! I polished some sample pages from old projects and sent them. And waited some more. And pestered my best friend and husband with questions like “Do you think this means she’s interested? This is a good sign, right?”Maybe a week or so after that (not like I kept track, pfffft), she emailed again and asked if we could speak on the phone. When she called, I was so nervous I paced around the house while we talked. She gave me excellent feedback on my writing, I asked her a few questions, and then she offered me representation!!!! Since we’d already clicked in person and I’d done my research I said yes right away! She had a track record for selling books, she was a hands-on type of agent, and most all she was genuinely passionate about my characters and my writing. She had all the qualities on my agent wish list.After we hung up I was in a daze. Did that just happen? Was it all a dream? I’d been working up to this moment for so long it felt surreal. I called my husband, my Mom, and my best friend immediately to tell them the fantastic news. (This seemed a much more sane and practical alternative to singing it from the rooftops). My husband was thrilled, but said there was no way he could top getting an agent as a birthday present, seeing as this all happened two weeks before my big 3-0 birthday.Signing with Shannon was a turning point in my writing career, and I am so excited to experience everything that comes next, including the good and the bad, because getting this point has taken an insane amount of dedication and hard work, so now that I’m here I don’t want to take anything for granted! I encourage anyone still in the querying trenches to consider other alternatives. Sure, query, but enter Twitter contests, enter writing contests, go to conferences and pitch to agents in person. You never know which path will work for you until you try. And whatever you do, keep writing, keep improving, and keep striving towards your goals! ---------------------------------------------Kara Seal holds a B.A. in Creative Writing from Colorado State University. By day, she's a Programming Assistant at a public library district. By night, she's a writer of young adult and middle grade fiction, and an active member of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and SCBWI. Kara is represented by Shannon Hassan of Marsal Lyon Literary. She lives in Colorado with her husband and their dogs, Link and Zelda.
April 6, 2015
Giveaway of an ARC of NOVA & a Query Critique
*36:00:00*
The clock activates so suddenly in my mind, my head involuntarily jerks a bit to the side. The fog vanishes, dissipated in an instant as though it never was. Memories come slotting into place, their edges sharp enough to leave furrows, and suddenly I know. I know exactly who I am.
My name is Lia Johansen, and I was named for a prisoner of war. She lived in the Tiersten Internment Colony for two years, and when they negotiated the return of the prisoners, I was given her memories and sent back in her place.
And I am a genetically engineered human bomb.
Lia Johansen was created for only one purpose: to slip onto the strategically placed New Sol Space Station and explode. But her mission goes to hell when her clock malfunctions, freezing her countdown with just two minutes to go. With no Plan B, no memories of her past, and no identity besides a name stolen from a dead POW, Lia has no idea what to do next. Her life gets even more complicated when she meets Michael Sorenson, the real Lia’s childhood best friend.
Drawn to Michael and his family against her better judgment, Lia starts learning what it means to live and love, and to be human. It is only when her countdown clock begins sporadically losing time that she realizes even duds can still blow up. If she wants any chance at a future, she must find a way to unlock the secrets of her past and stop her clock. But as Lia digs into her origins, she begins to suspect there’s far more to her mission and to this war, than meets the eye. With the fate of not just a space station but an entire empire hanging in the balance, Lia races to find the truth before her time—literally—runs out.
Preorder Nova on Amazon|Barnes and Noble
Margaret is also offering a second prize of a query critique. You don't want to miss this! Margaret gives super, strong feedback. She has a way of cutting to the heart of a query and seeing what's missing and what needs to be strengthened. I've been honored to have her help on all my query letters.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Margaret Fortune began writing in first grade, when her short story “The Numbers’ Birthday Party” made a huge splash at her elementary school. A year later, her family moved to Wisconsin, where they owned and operated an independent bookstore for over a decade.
She has a BA in psychology from the University of Minnesota - Morris, and has short fiction published or forthcoming in multiple magazines, including Nth Zine, Neo-Opsis Science Fiction Magazine, and Space and Time. NOVA, the first book in a 5-book series, is forthcoming from DAW Books in June 2015.
April 3, 2015
Getting the Call with Mary Ann Marlowe
Contests can help prepare you for down the road. Mary Ann got her agent after learning from other writers and participating in contests such as Query Kombat. Thanks to her for sharing her story with us. Take it away Mary Ann!
In 2013, my karate instructor asked me: "What would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?" The answer came easy: write a novel. He said, “Do it.” So the next month, I entered Nanowrimo and churned out a total piece of crap. Writing that first novel taught me things about craft, about my own voice and style, and mainly about my own capacity for barfing out a ton of words at a single go. I badly wanted that book to be good enough, so I revised and revised and revised until it wasn’t completely terrible. Not knowing any better, I entered novel #1 in contests. I entered it into Pitch Madness and didn’t get in. I revised and entered it in Nest Pitch and didn’t get in. I revised and entered it in Pitch Slam and didn’t get in. Undaunted, I revised and revised, learning more and more about what works and what doesn’t. When I entered Query Kombat in the Spring of 2014, I was seriously on the verge of giving up on this pipe dream. I mean, obviously I couldn’t compete with all those “real” writers. I fully expected another rejection. But the wonderful SC picked me to be on his team (Writerbees!), boosting my morale by letting me know I was getting closer. It didn’t even matter that I got knocked out in the first round. Query Kombat was a career-changing experience for me. (Thanks SC!) As a bonus, the query I wrote for this contest resulted in my first full request (and it came on the day the Query Kombat entries went live). So as I watched my QK entry get KOed, I was doing a happy jig. As a super-double atomic-powered bonus, I found friends and CPs for life by connecting with a QK teammate and, true story, with the same girl who knocked me out in the first round. By the time I realized novel #1 was doomed, I’d managed to learn how to write a decent query, get requests, and get accepted into contests. But deep in my heart, I knew novel #1 was my practice novel. My trunk novel. My "one day I'll know how to fix you novel." I needed to move on. So I buckled down and pounded out novel #2. Thanks to my new incredible CPs, I finished it just in time to enter it into Pitch Wars. I was surprised and delighted to be picked by my amazing mentor, Jaime Loren, who helped me revamp that sucker into a novel I’m truly proud of. And while my entry did great during the agent round, Pitch Wars didn’t lead to an offer. And in fact, cold querying that novel landed me one single solitary request. In December, I put novel #2 into a metaphorical Viking boat, cast it off to sea, and shot it with a flaming arrow. I love that book, but it wasn't the one. Fortunately, I’d already started novel #3 before Pitch Wars selections were announced in September. I finished drafting in November (yeah Nano!), revised three times in December, and began querying at the end of January. This time things went faster. I'd barely dipped my toes into the query waters when I got a number of requests. I entered Agent Query and threw out some twitter pitches which resulted in a few more requests. Coming full circle, I entered Pitch Madness. However, I ended up dropping out before picks were made because… After a month of obsessively refreshing my email and trying to read the Query Tracker tea leaves, I heard the panic-inducing “You have mail” ringtone associated with my author email account. Now, I have a tendency to band-aid rip whenever I get a reply from an agent. I immediately scan for keywords like “unfortunately” and “subjective” on the one hand or “happy” and “please attach” on the other, so I can brace myself for a rejection or psych myself up for a request (or maybe, at long last, an offer). So when this email began with "Please forgive me," I blew a raspberry. And then read: “...for taking a while to get back to you.” I made myself read the words in the letter in sequential order and discovered that it looked suspiciously like an offer. The agent I had cold queried explained that one of the other agents at the agency loved my novel and wanted to work with me. I spent the next four hours trying to piece together a coherent sentence to let them know I was thrilled. I wondered if it was possible to screw that up so badly the whole thing would go poof. The contract came at the same time as the invitation to talk, so I went into The Call with an offer in hand, which meant the ball was in my court to make sure she was right for me. That put me at ease and stressed me out all at the same time. I'd love to share all the details of the actual call, but it's shrouded in the fog of war. I had my list of questions to ask, and ask I did. And she had all the right answers. I hung up the phone ready to sign the contract and send it back, but I had outstanding materials with other agents. I took the requisite week to get my ducks in a row, got more requests, some rejections, an offer to revise and resubmit, and another offer of representation from a second very lovely agent. If she'd been the only one offering, I would have taken her offer with no hesitation. But I had a decision to make. I knew I couldn't really go wrong either way. Both agencies were highly reputable. The clients of both agents had nothing but glowing praise to offer. Both agents said lovely things about my novel. And both had ideas for revisions. In the end, I went with my gut. I felt that the first offering agent's vision for my book and my career more closely lined up with my own. (Also, I have a major crush on this agency.) And so, I happily, accepted representation from Rachel Stout at Dystel and Goderich. I’m a computer programmer, nerd, and writer of contemporary romance, based in central Virginia. When I’m not writing, I do karate with my kids and read my friends’ unpublished novels in Word doc form. Theoretically, I love to travel but until I find a patron to fund my trip around the world, I placate my wanderlust by letting my characters hop on a plane and hang out in Paris. I’m a contest veteran of Query Kombat and Pitch Wars in 2014. My website is www.maryannmarlowe.com .
In 2013, my karate instructor asked me: "What would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?" The answer came easy: write a novel. He said, “Do it.” So the next month, I entered Nanowrimo and churned out a total piece of crap. Writing that first novel taught me things about craft, about my own voice and style, and mainly about my own capacity for barfing out a ton of words at a single go. I badly wanted that book to be good enough, so I revised and revised and revised until it wasn’t completely terrible. Not knowing any better, I entered novel #1 in contests. I entered it into Pitch Madness and didn’t get in. I revised and entered it in Nest Pitch and didn’t get in. I revised and entered it in Pitch Slam and didn’t get in. Undaunted, I revised and revised, learning more and more about what works and what doesn’t. When I entered Query Kombat in the Spring of 2014, I was seriously on the verge of giving up on this pipe dream. I mean, obviously I couldn’t compete with all those “real” writers. I fully expected another rejection. But the wonderful SC picked me to be on his team (Writerbees!), boosting my morale by letting me know I was getting closer. It didn’t even matter that I got knocked out in the first round. Query Kombat was a career-changing experience for me. (Thanks SC!) As a bonus, the query I wrote for this contest resulted in my first full request (and it came on the day the Query Kombat entries went live). So as I watched my QK entry get KOed, I was doing a happy jig. As a super-double atomic-powered bonus, I found friends and CPs for life by connecting with a QK teammate and, true story, with the same girl who knocked me out in the first round. By the time I realized novel #1 was doomed, I’d managed to learn how to write a decent query, get requests, and get accepted into contests. But deep in my heart, I knew novel #1 was my practice novel. My trunk novel. My "one day I'll know how to fix you novel." I needed to move on. So I buckled down and pounded out novel #2. Thanks to my new incredible CPs, I finished it just in time to enter it into Pitch Wars. I was surprised and delighted to be picked by my amazing mentor, Jaime Loren, who helped me revamp that sucker into a novel I’m truly proud of. And while my entry did great during the agent round, Pitch Wars didn’t lead to an offer. And in fact, cold querying that novel landed me one single solitary request. In December, I put novel #2 into a metaphorical Viking boat, cast it off to sea, and shot it with a flaming arrow. I love that book, but it wasn't the one. Fortunately, I’d already started novel #3 before Pitch Wars selections were announced in September. I finished drafting in November (yeah Nano!), revised three times in December, and began querying at the end of January. This time things went faster. I'd barely dipped my toes into the query waters when I got a number of requests. I entered Agent Query and threw out some twitter pitches which resulted in a few more requests. Coming full circle, I entered Pitch Madness. However, I ended up dropping out before picks were made because… After a month of obsessively refreshing my email and trying to read the Query Tracker tea leaves, I heard the panic-inducing “You have mail” ringtone associated with my author email account. Now, I have a tendency to band-aid rip whenever I get a reply from an agent. I immediately scan for keywords like “unfortunately” and “subjective” on the one hand or “happy” and “please attach” on the other, so I can brace myself for a rejection or psych myself up for a request (or maybe, at long last, an offer). So when this email began with "Please forgive me," I blew a raspberry. And then read: “...for taking a while to get back to you.” I made myself read the words in the letter in sequential order and discovered that it looked suspiciously like an offer. The agent I had cold queried explained that one of the other agents at the agency loved my novel and wanted to work with me. I spent the next four hours trying to piece together a coherent sentence to let them know I was thrilled. I wondered if it was possible to screw that up so badly the whole thing would go poof. The contract came at the same time as the invitation to talk, so I went into The Call with an offer in hand, which meant the ball was in my court to make sure she was right for me. That put me at ease and stressed me out all at the same time. I'd love to share all the details of the actual call, but it's shrouded in the fog of war. I had my list of questions to ask, and ask I did. And she had all the right answers. I hung up the phone ready to sign the contract and send it back, but I had outstanding materials with other agents. I took the requisite week to get my ducks in a row, got more requests, some rejections, an offer to revise and resubmit, and another offer of representation from a second very lovely agent. If she'd been the only one offering, I would have taken her offer with no hesitation. But I had a decision to make. I knew I couldn't really go wrong either way. Both agencies were highly reputable. The clients of both agents had nothing but glowing praise to offer. Both agents said lovely things about my novel. And both had ideas for revisions. In the end, I went with my gut. I felt that the first offering agent's vision for my book and my career more closely lined up with my own. (Also, I have a major crush on this agency.) And so, I happily, accepted representation from Rachel Stout at Dystel and Goderich. I’m a computer programmer, nerd, and writer of contemporary romance, based in central Virginia. When I’m not writing, I do karate with my kids and read my friends’ unpublished novels in Word doc form. Theoretically, I love to travel but until I find a patron to fund my trip around the world, I placate my wanderlust by letting my characters hop on a plane and hang out in Paris. I’m a contest veteran of Query Kombat and Pitch Wars in 2014. My website is www.maryannmarlowe.com .
April 2, 2015
Book Review: Seeker
Quin Kincaid has been put through years of brutal training for what she thinks is the noble purpose of becoming a revered ‘Seeker’.
Only when it’s too late does she discover she will be using her new-found knowledge and training to become an assassin. Quin's new role will take her around the globe, from a remote estate in Scotland to a bustling, futuristic Hong Kong where the past she thought she had escaped will finally catch up with her.
For the first 30 percent of this book I was ready to quit reading. The main characters were seriously flawed each in their own ways, unlikable. The point of view characters of Quin, Shinobu, John, none were characters I could feel connected with or cared about. Quin blindly followed her father although she hated the evil things he made her do. Shinobu turned to substances to survive the guilt of the same crimes. And John went even darker, jeopardizing the life of the girl he loved in pursuit of a long-dead promise.
But stubborn me hung in there until character arc was full-filled, and I changed my opinion of Quin and Shinobu. From finding them weak, I found them determined.
Arwen Elys Dayton did a great job of showing how a villain can justify anything to make their actions reasonable and acceptable in their own mind. Her handling of the central antagonist was masterful.
Nice action and nice mix of fantasy. I would have like to be included in the scene where Quin first uses their "magic" instead of witnessing it as second-hand flashbacks, memories and dreams. I believe the sequel will show us more about what a Seeker actually does.
I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
April 1, 2015
Query Questions with Kurestin Armada
Writers have copious amounts of imagination. It's what makes their stories so fantastic. But there's a darker side to so much out of the box thinking. When a writer is in the query trenches, their worries go into overdrive. They start pulling out their hair and imagine every possible disaster.
Here to relieve some of that endless worrying is a new series of posts called Query Questions. I'll ask the questions which prey on every writer's mind, and hopefully take some of the pain out of querying. These are questions that I've seen tossed around on twitter and writing sites like Agent Query Connect. They are the type of questions that you need answers for the real expert--agents!
If you have your own specific query question, please leave it in the comments and it might show up in future editions of Query Questions as I plan to rotate the questions.
I'm happy to host a newer agent. Kurestin Armada is here from P.S. Literary Agency.
Does one typo or misplaced comma shoot down the entire query?
If there’s just one, I don’t think it will be a problem. However, if the only typo is in my name, you’re definitely starting your query off on the wrong foot! It won’t make me automatically reject it, but I’ll be in a worse mood reading it.
Do you look at sample pages without fail or only if the query is strong?
As long as the query is remotely interesting/in a genre I represent, I’ll read the sample pages. I don’t want to miss out on beautiful writing just because the concept is described a bit awkwardly!
Do you have an assistant or intern go through your queries first or do you check all of them?
I check all of them! I trust the author to do the best job possible when it comes to pitching their book to me. We do have a literary assistant who does a wonderful job of keeping the query inbox organized for us, and she’s the one who you can expect to hear from if we request material.
Do you keep a maybe pile of queries and go back to them for a second look?
I do, actually! I’ll sort through the definite “yes” and “no” queries, and then I’ll come back to the “maybe” pile later to see if a different mood affects how I feel about them.
If the manuscript has a prologue, do you want it included with the sample pages?
Yes. I want the sample pages to start exactly where a reader would start if this was the published version of your book.
How important are comp titles? Is it something you want to see in a query?
I’m less excited by comp titles than other agents I know. I think they can add something great to your query when they’re done well, but bad comp titles can also really take away from your query. Personally I get a bit turned off by comp titles that are all in a different medium, like TV shows or movies. Those can work well to show tone, but it’s just unrealistic to say that everyone who loves The Avengers is going to love your book. So I think you should go ahead and include comp titles if you feel very strongly about them and really think they add to your query, but you should err on the side of not including them if you want to play it safe. Never add them just because you think you’re supposed to include them.
Some agencies mention querying only one agent at a time and some say query only one agent period. How often do you pass a query along to a fellow agent who might be more interested?
Our query inbox is set up so that we can all see the queries. We pay special attention to the ones directed to our attention, but if something comes in for Maria, for example, I might still request pages on it. That’s why we say that a rejection from one of us is a rejection from all. I wouldn’t need to pass on anything to my fellow agents, because if they see it and love it they’ll try to snag it too!
Do you prefer a little personalized chit-chat in a query letter, or would you rather hear about the manuscript?
I’m very business-minded when it comes to the queries. I love when people get right to the manuscript, and focus all of their concentration on pitching it. If something comes naturally, like a reference to #MSWL or a post I’ve made, feel free to include it of course! But just like comp titles, please don’t force it in the letter just because you think it’s a requirement. The only requirement is that you tell me about your book! Writers hear a lot about limiting the number of named characters in a query. Do you feel keeping named characters to a certain number makes for a clearer query?
YES. This is one piece of advice that I truly hope people take to heart. I understand that those other characters are very important to the action as it unfolds, but if I get confused in your query and lost interest in reading further, it’s game over. Some writers have asked about including links to their blogs or manuscript-related artwork. I’m sure it’s not appropriate to add those links in a query, but are links in an email signature offensive?
Links in an email signature for that sort of thing are great, actually! I’m likely to go snooping on the net when I’m interested in representing an author, so links to your blog will just save me some work. I’ll also be headed to the part of your web presence that you’ve (hopefully) put the most work into! So it’s win/win. What bio should an author with no publishing credits include?
A little something about where you’re from or what you do now is fine. You don’t have to stretch yourself trying to find a way to make your career as an accountant sound relevant to your current novel, honestly. That’s not going to affect how I read your query/manuscript. Something that shows you’re actively engaged in your genre, like conferences you’ve attended recently, would also be appropriate.
What does ‘just not right mean for me’ mean to you?
It means I wasn’t interested in reading the entire thing, that I was bored or just not excited about the story at any point. If I represent your book, I’ll be spending a lot of time with it throughout the process. If I can’t get through even one read of it, then I’m not the right agent for the book.
What themes are you sick of seeing?
Trends definitely come and go, but right now there are a few things I’d like to take a break from. The top two are angel/demon stories, and crime stories focusing on international sex slavery rings. The first one may come back around and be fresh and interesting again in a couple of years, but the second one is just never going to be my cup of tea. What three things are at the top of your submission wish list?
I would LOVE to see these three things:
· Historical fiction (preferably with a touch of something mysterious or magical, even if it has a realistic explanation) where the city itself is a fully fleshed out character in its own right! Think along the lines of THE MINIATURIST or THE GOLEM AND THE JINNI.· Science fiction that explores both the future and the past of the world, while also showcasing strong characters. Something like REVELATION SPACE or ANCILLARY JUSTICE. · An updated version of some of the Tamora Pierce-style heroine narratives. I’m specifically thinking of UPROOTED by Naomi Novik, which comes out later this year. It reminds me of a lot of the books I read as a young girl, and I think it’s time for a revival of those books, with a fresh update to fit today’s young women.
------------------------------------------
Kurestin Armada began her publishing career as an intern with Workman Publishing, and spent time as an assistant at The Lotts Agency before joining
P.S. Literary. She holds a B.A. in English from Kenyon College, as well as a publishing certificate from Columbia University. Kurestin is based in New York City, and spends most of her time in the city's thriving indie bookstores. She reads widely across genres, and has a particular affection for science fiction and fantasy, especially books that recognize and subvert typical tropes of genre fiction. If you would like to send a query to Kurestin, please click or tap here to review our Submission Guidelines.
Here to relieve some of that endless worrying is a new series of posts called Query Questions. I'll ask the questions which prey on every writer's mind, and hopefully take some of the pain out of querying. These are questions that I've seen tossed around on twitter and writing sites like Agent Query Connect. They are the type of questions that you need answers for the real expert--agents!
If you have your own specific query question, please leave it in the comments and it might show up in future editions of Query Questions as I plan to rotate the questions.
I'm happy to host a newer agent. Kurestin Armada is here from P.S. Literary Agency.
Does one typo or misplaced comma shoot down the entire query?
If there’s just one, I don’t think it will be a problem. However, if the only typo is in my name, you’re definitely starting your query off on the wrong foot! It won’t make me automatically reject it, but I’ll be in a worse mood reading it.
Do you look at sample pages without fail or only if the query is strong?
As long as the query is remotely interesting/in a genre I represent, I’ll read the sample pages. I don’t want to miss out on beautiful writing just because the concept is described a bit awkwardly!
Do you have an assistant or intern go through your queries first or do you check all of them?
I check all of them! I trust the author to do the best job possible when it comes to pitching their book to me. We do have a literary assistant who does a wonderful job of keeping the query inbox organized for us, and she’s the one who you can expect to hear from if we request material.
Do you keep a maybe pile of queries and go back to them for a second look?
I do, actually! I’ll sort through the definite “yes” and “no” queries, and then I’ll come back to the “maybe” pile later to see if a different mood affects how I feel about them.
If the manuscript has a prologue, do you want it included with the sample pages?
Yes. I want the sample pages to start exactly where a reader would start if this was the published version of your book.
How important are comp titles? Is it something you want to see in a query?
I’m less excited by comp titles than other agents I know. I think they can add something great to your query when they’re done well, but bad comp titles can also really take away from your query. Personally I get a bit turned off by comp titles that are all in a different medium, like TV shows or movies. Those can work well to show tone, but it’s just unrealistic to say that everyone who loves The Avengers is going to love your book. So I think you should go ahead and include comp titles if you feel very strongly about them and really think they add to your query, but you should err on the side of not including them if you want to play it safe. Never add them just because you think you’re supposed to include them.
Some agencies mention querying only one agent at a time and some say query only one agent period. How often do you pass a query along to a fellow agent who might be more interested?
Our query inbox is set up so that we can all see the queries. We pay special attention to the ones directed to our attention, but if something comes in for Maria, for example, I might still request pages on it. That’s why we say that a rejection from one of us is a rejection from all. I wouldn’t need to pass on anything to my fellow agents, because if they see it and love it they’ll try to snag it too!
Do you prefer a little personalized chit-chat in a query letter, or would you rather hear about the manuscript?
I’m very business-minded when it comes to the queries. I love when people get right to the manuscript, and focus all of their concentration on pitching it. If something comes naturally, like a reference to #MSWL or a post I’ve made, feel free to include it of course! But just like comp titles, please don’t force it in the letter just because you think it’s a requirement. The only requirement is that you tell me about your book! Writers hear a lot about limiting the number of named characters in a query. Do you feel keeping named characters to a certain number makes for a clearer query?
YES. This is one piece of advice that I truly hope people take to heart. I understand that those other characters are very important to the action as it unfolds, but if I get confused in your query and lost interest in reading further, it’s game over. Some writers have asked about including links to their blogs or manuscript-related artwork. I’m sure it’s not appropriate to add those links in a query, but are links in an email signature offensive?
Links in an email signature for that sort of thing are great, actually! I’m likely to go snooping on the net when I’m interested in representing an author, so links to your blog will just save me some work. I’ll also be headed to the part of your web presence that you’ve (hopefully) put the most work into! So it’s win/win. What bio should an author with no publishing credits include?
A little something about where you’re from or what you do now is fine. You don’t have to stretch yourself trying to find a way to make your career as an accountant sound relevant to your current novel, honestly. That’s not going to affect how I read your query/manuscript. Something that shows you’re actively engaged in your genre, like conferences you’ve attended recently, would also be appropriate.
What does ‘just not right mean for me’ mean to you?
It means I wasn’t interested in reading the entire thing, that I was bored or just not excited about the story at any point. If I represent your book, I’ll be spending a lot of time with it throughout the process. If I can’t get through even one read of it, then I’m not the right agent for the book.
What themes are you sick of seeing?
Trends definitely come and go, but right now there are a few things I’d like to take a break from. The top two are angel/demon stories, and crime stories focusing on international sex slavery rings. The first one may come back around and be fresh and interesting again in a couple of years, but the second one is just never going to be my cup of tea. What three things are at the top of your submission wish list?
I would LOVE to see these three things:
· Historical fiction (preferably with a touch of something mysterious or magical, even if it has a realistic explanation) where the city itself is a fully fleshed out character in its own right! Think along the lines of THE MINIATURIST or THE GOLEM AND THE JINNI.· Science fiction that explores both the future and the past of the world, while also showcasing strong characters. Something like REVELATION SPACE or ANCILLARY JUSTICE. · An updated version of some of the Tamora Pierce-style heroine narratives. I’m specifically thinking of UPROOTED by Naomi Novik, which comes out later this year. It reminds me of a lot of the books I read as a young girl, and I think it’s time for a revival of those books, with a fresh update to fit today’s young women.
------------------------------------------
Kurestin Armada began her publishing career as an intern with Workman Publishing, and spent time as an assistant at The Lotts Agency before joining
P.S. Literary. She holds a B.A. in English from Kenyon College, as well as a publishing certificate from Columbia University. Kurestin is based in New York City, and spends most of her time in the city's thriving indie bookstores. She reads widely across genres, and has a particular affection for science fiction and fantasy, especially books that recognize and subvert typical tropes of genre fiction. If you would like to send a query to Kurestin, please click or tap here to review our Submission Guidelines.
March 31, 2015
Querying Advice: Nudging (without an offer)
I've seen this asked over and over: when and how should a writer nudge a literary agent about a full or partial request (if they are without an offer). Writers are in awe of agents. Afraid of making a pest of themselves and somehow ruining their chances to get an agent. They don't want to be a bother. Writers tend to tip-toe around nudging as if they don't deserve to reach out to an agent.
You were so happy just to get a request. You don't want to mess it up.
Be unafraid!
Without writers there are no books. It's a writer's talent that opens new worlds for people who love to read. This is your manuscript. You worked hard on it. You have every right to inquire about it.
Agents understand. After all, they use nudges all the time with editors. During submission, they may need to follow up with an editor on material the agent has sent. Sometimes they have to ask for an answer on a pitch letter. How can they fault you for doing something they have to employ? As long as you are sensible, there is no problem with politely asking an agent the status of your request.
Though I don't recommend you nudge about a query letter unless the agent's website specifically says to nudge after a certain number of weeks. So many agents use a no response policy now. Is your query lost or just not right for that agent? It's better to leave well enough alone with a query that goes unanswered and assume the letter has been rejected. There are plenty of agents to query that you don't need to worry about every letter going astray. Chances are it hasn't. (There are exceptions and the choice is yours, but I'd think twice about nudging for a query letter.)
Now if your material has been requested it's a different story. Perhaps you've been patient for a long time and you want to know what's happening. Before you take action, though, consider the timing.
It's very important not to let your natural impatience get out of hand. Everyone is ancy when material is being considered. Important decisions are being made that could get your baby in front of editors from the Big Six. But has a reasonable amount of time passed or are you just anxious? Publishing is notoriously slow. You have to give the agent plenty of time to read as things always come up.
So first, check their website for a clue of when to nudge. If their website says nothing, then a solid guide is never to nudge until it's been three months. My own guide was to go a week or two past three months just to be on the safe side.
Then you'll want to use the email chain you've created with the agent (Yes, save the email asking for pages in your email provider so you can reply to it.) A RE in the subject line is more likely to catch their eye and prove you have had communication in the past. Be short and to the point. No need to waste more agent reading time by being long winded.
Dear Agent so and so,
I'm checking in to see if you had time to read TITLE which I sent as requested on DATE. Thank you very much,
Name
That's really all you need to nudge. Have you had time to get to it? It's called X and I sent it on Y. Agents will get back to you with a yes or no. Usually they need more time, but now you have reminded them. Hopefully, the nudge will lead to a faster read and a quicker final response.
Occasionally, a nudge receives no response from an agent. In that case, wait a week or two more and send a second nudge just like the first. Give them time to get to your first nudge just in case they are out of the office or very hectic.
If the second nudge goes unanswered, then you have to put it out of your mind and set that request aside as a no. It's hard to do that, but let's face it-- Do you really want an agent who doesn't find the time to reply to two nudges? It's like the movie; he's just not that into you. Good communication with an agent is crucial. Take the agent off the pedestal. Time to move on and show some pride. Don't go for a third nudge.
So there you have it. It's really not that scary if you make sure you give the agent plenty of time to consider before you nudge. Be polite and to the point.
Good luck and profitable nudging!
You were so happy just to get a request. You don't want to mess it up.
Be unafraid!
Without writers there are no books. It's a writer's talent that opens new worlds for people who love to read. This is your manuscript. You worked hard on it. You have every right to inquire about it.
Agents understand. After all, they use nudges all the time with editors. During submission, they may need to follow up with an editor on material the agent has sent. Sometimes they have to ask for an answer on a pitch letter. How can they fault you for doing something they have to employ? As long as you are sensible, there is no problem with politely asking an agent the status of your request.
Though I don't recommend you nudge about a query letter unless the agent's website specifically says to nudge after a certain number of weeks. So many agents use a no response policy now. Is your query lost or just not right for that agent? It's better to leave well enough alone with a query that goes unanswered and assume the letter has been rejected. There are plenty of agents to query that you don't need to worry about every letter going astray. Chances are it hasn't. (There are exceptions and the choice is yours, but I'd think twice about nudging for a query letter.)
Now if your material has been requested it's a different story. Perhaps you've been patient for a long time and you want to know what's happening. Before you take action, though, consider the timing.
It's very important not to let your natural impatience get out of hand. Everyone is ancy when material is being considered. Important decisions are being made that could get your baby in front of editors from the Big Six. But has a reasonable amount of time passed or are you just anxious? Publishing is notoriously slow. You have to give the agent plenty of time to read as things always come up.
So first, check their website for a clue of when to nudge. If their website says nothing, then a solid guide is never to nudge until it's been three months. My own guide was to go a week or two past three months just to be on the safe side.
Then you'll want to use the email chain you've created with the agent (Yes, save the email asking for pages in your email provider so you can reply to it.) A RE in the subject line is more likely to catch their eye and prove you have had communication in the past. Be short and to the point. No need to waste more agent reading time by being long winded.
Dear Agent so and so,
I'm checking in to see if you had time to read TITLE which I sent as requested on DATE. Thank you very much,
Name
That's really all you need to nudge. Have you had time to get to it? It's called X and I sent it on Y. Agents will get back to you with a yes or no. Usually they need more time, but now you have reminded them. Hopefully, the nudge will lead to a faster read and a quicker final response.
Occasionally, a nudge receives no response from an agent. In that case, wait a week or two more and send a second nudge just like the first. Give them time to get to your first nudge just in case they are out of the office or very hectic.
If the second nudge goes unanswered, then you have to put it out of your mind and set that request aside as a no. It's hard to do that, but let's face it-- Do you really want an agent who doesn't find the time to reply to two nudges? It's like the movie; he's just not that into you. Good communication with an agent is crucial. Take the agent off the pedestal. Time to move on and show some pride. Don't go for a third nudge.
So there you have it. It's really not that scary if you make sure you give the agent plenty of time to consider before you nudge. Be polite and to the point.
Good luck and profitable nudging!
March 30, 2015
Getting the Call with Kristin Wright
Choices, choices! We all love to have choices, though sometimes it's not that easy. Lucky for Kristin she had options and her heart told her where to go! Congrats Kristin, and I'm glad you found a CP through Query Kombat.
Getting the Call for me managed to be BOTH the super-fast fairy tale and the end of a long querying slog through the trenches. How? I queried two manuscripts at once.I wrote and polished my romantic women's fiction novel TWENTY MILES IN just in time to submit it to last August's PitchWars. I did a little midnight dancing when I saw I'd been chosen as an alternate, and then settled in for the wait. PitchWars is excellent practice for the professional waiting that writers sign up for. The entries are posted in early November, two months after selection, to allow time for edits. I edit fast (my mentor, Kara Leigh Miller, went way above and beyond for TMI), and still had enough time to write another manuscript .I got requests in PitchWars, though none that panned out. I queried it through November and December, with a short flurry at the beginning of January when agents re-opened after the holidays. I sent the last query for TMI on January 6. Meanwhile, I'd been editing my other manuscript, FARB, and was ready to query that one by January 21.With FARB, I got the fairy tale. Within two weeks, I had six full requests. On day 14, I sat in a work meeting with my iPad, and an email arrived from Agent A, who wanted to chat about FARB, which she'd requested only the day before. I read the email ten times. I contemplated escaping the meeting by yelling "Fire." I restrained myself and suffered through. Agent A's call, though, turned out not to be The Call. She wanted some minor revisions before offering. She did offer, though, a week later. That email came while I sat in the car, about to embark on an afternoon of driving my kids around to lessons with no computer handy. While my kids sawed away on their violins, I sent my flurry of emails to all the agents with either requested materials or open queries on either manuscript--on my phone. And then I checked my email at stoplights. Yes, I know. Bad. The blizzard of responses came quickly, and from agents with queries on both manuscripts. When it stopped, I had 12 agents reading one or both fulls.The next day, Agent B emailed asking to "chat" about FARB. (I don't know why they like this word so much. They do.) Agent B offered in the first two minutes. Then came the really draggy part. I'd given a nine-day period. Nothing at all happened for seven days. The night before the deadline, I got an email from Agent C. She'd liked TWENTY MILES IN and wanted me to extend the deadline for her to read FARB. I chose not to, because I didn't think it was fair to Agents A and B, but I hated writing that email.Minutes before I went to bed, I got an email from Agent D, who'd been the recipient of the very last query I sent for TWENTY MILES IN because she'd been closed. She wanted to chat the next morning. She'd "love loved" my work, and I loved her back just based on her interviews and Twitter feed. During the call, we talked about the book. She'd stayed up late reading it, and already had a submission list in mind. She was ready to go--with this book, with my other manuscripts, and with any other books I might write in the future. I emailed several of her clients, and within the hour, got back long love letters about her. I really liked the other offering agents and would have been very happy with either of them, but the decision was made.Now, I'm delighted to say I'm represented by Sarah E. Younger of the Nancy Yost Literary Agency!
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I live in Virginia with my family, our stinky beagle, and our elderly guinea pig. I'm an attorney now, but I've been a Civil War reenactor, an ice cream scooper, a telemarketer, and a U.S. Senate intern. I'm a veteran of both Query Kombat and PitchWars, both in 2014, and will tell anyone who asks that contests are absolutely worth it because that's how you meet your critique partners. I write women's fiction and romance, and dream of a day when someone magically shows up at my door to manage my website and Facebook page for me. The website is www.kristinbwright.com.
Getting the Call for me managed to be BOTH the super-fast fairy tale and the end of a long querying slog through the trenches. How? I queried two manuscripts at once.I wrote and polished my romantic women's fiction novel TWENTY MILES IN just in time to submit it to last August's PitchWars. I did a little midnight dancing when I saw I'd been chosen as an alternate, and then settled in for the wait. PitchWars is excellent practice for the professional waiting that writers sign up for. The entries are posted in early November, two months after selection, to allow time for edits. I edit fast (my mentor, Kara Leigh Miller, went way above and beyond for TMI), and still had enough time to write another manuscript .I got requests in PitchWars, though none that panned out. I queried it through November and December, with a short flurry at the beginning of January when agents re-opened after the holidays. I sent the last query for TMI on January 6. Meanwhile, I'd been editing my other manuscript, FARB, and was ready to query that one by January 21.With FARB, I got the fairy tale. Within two weeks, I had six full requests. On day 14, I sat in a work meeting with my iPad, and an email arrived from Agent A, who wanted to chat about FARB, which she'd requested only the day before. I read the email ten times. I contemplated escaping the meeting by yelling "Fire." I restrained myself and suffered through. Agent A's call, though, turned out not to be The Call. She wanted some minor revisions before offering. She did offer, though, a week later. That email came while I sat in the car, about to embark on an afternoon of driving my kids around to lessons with no computer handy. While my kids sawed away on their violins, I sent my flurry of emails to all the agents with either requested materials or open queries on either manuscript--on my phone. And then I checked my email at stoplights. Yes, I know. Bad. The blizzard of responses came quickly, and from agents with queries on both manuscripts. When it stopped, I had 12 agents reading one or both fulls.The next day, Agent B emailed asking to "chat" about FARB. (I don't know why they like this word so much. They do.) Agent B offered in the first two minutes. Then came the really draggy part. I'd given a nine-day period. Nothing at all happened for seven days. The night before the deadline, I got an email from Agent C. She'd liked TWENTY MILES IN and wanted me to extend the deadline for her to read FARB. I chose not to, because I didn't think it was fair to Agents A and B, but I hated writing that email.Minutes before I went to bed, I got an email from Agent D, who'd been the recipient of the very last query I sent for TWENTY MILES IN because she'd been closed. She wanted to chat the next morning. She'd "love loved" my work, and I loved her back just based on her interviews and Twitter feed. During the call, we talked about the book. She'd stayed up late reading it, and already had a submission list in mind. She was ready to go--with this book, with my other manuscripts, and with any other books I might write in the future. I emailed several of her clients, and within the hour, got back long love letters about her. I really liked the other offering agents and would have been very happy with either of them, but the decision was made.Now, I'm delighted to say I'm represented by Sarah E. Younger of the Nancy Yost Literary Agency!
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I live in Virginia with my family, our stinky beagle, and our elderly guinea pig. I'm an attorney now, but I've been a Civil War reenactor, an ice cream scooper, a telemarketer, and a U.S. Senate intern. I'm a veteran of both Query Kombat and PitchWars, both in 2014, and will tell anyone who asks that contests are absolutely worth it because that's how you meet your critique partners. I write women's fiction and romance, and dream of a day when someone magically shows up at my door to manage my website and Facebook page for me. The website is www.kristinbwright.com.
March 28, 2015
Upcoming Contests
There are two big contests taking submissions next week.
I'll be a co-host of Pitchslam which takes submission on April 3rd. You can find all the details at L. L. McKinney's blog. (follow Elle at https://twitter.com/ElleOnWords) It's theme this time around is Classic Hollywood.
As a director I'll be casting for my Western. (Not that that means I'm only looking for westerns. Actually I'm looking for all age categories and genres, though as usual I lean toward fantasy/speculative fiction.) John Wayne is my team's leading man. I'll be looking for entries that show True Grit.
The nice thing about PitchSlam is getting feedback before you send in your final entry. That lets you revise before the team Directors make their picks.
Also taking place next week and going through a variety of judging is Nest Pitch. Their window opens on April 1st and they have a great line up of agents. Follow Nikola Vukoja for more details about this contest- https://twitter.com/Nik_Vukoja
I'll be a co-host of Pitchslam which takes submission on April 3rd. You can find all the details at L. L. McKinney's blog. (follow Elle at https://twitter.com/ElleOnWords) It's theme this time around is Classic Hollywood.
As a director I'll be casting for my Western. (Not that that means I'm only looking for westerns. Actually I'm looking for all age categories and genres, though as usual I lean toward fantasy/speculative fiction.) John Wayne is my team's leading man. I'll be looking for entries that show True Grit.
The nice thing about PitchSlam is getting feedback before you send in your final entry. That lets you revise before the team Directors make their picks.
Also taking place next week and going through a variety of judging is Nest Pitch. Their window opens on April 1st and they have a great line up of agents. Follow Nikola Vukoja for more details about this contest- https://twitter.com/Nik_Vukoja
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