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QUERY: Everything You Need to Get Started, Get Noticed, and Get Signed
QUERY: Everything You Need to Get Started, Get Noticed, and Get Signed covers everything from basic query format to agent research to innovative strategies for creating a fabulous hook. The handbook gives examples, worksheets, and tools to enable every writer to query well. For writers seeking publication, QUERY will provide practical, usable assistance for every stage of the querying process.
- GenresWritingNonfiction
56 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2012
7 people are currently reading
248 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Redwine
25 books4,034 followers**Please read my FAQ before sending any requests: http://cjredwine.blogspot.com/p/faq.html **
C.J. Redwine loves fairy tales, Harry Potter, and going to the movies. If the novel writing gig ever falls through, she’ll join the Avengers and wear a cape to work every day. To learn more about C.J., visit her website at www.cjredwine.com
C.J. Redwine loves fairy tales, Harry Potter, and going to the movies. If the novel writing gig ever falls through, she’ll join the Avengers and wear a cape to work every day. To learn more about C.J., visit her website at www.cjredwine.com
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 6, 2021
Brief and informative, Redwine's "Query" was the resource I needed as I lost some steam in my own querying process. Thanks, C.J.!
February 25, 2012
As an author about to begin the querying process for the first time -- gasp! Someone hold me! -- this book is invaluable. It's a quick read, and Redwine's style speaks to the reader directly, making you feel like she's right there, giving you the run-down on the querying adventure. It's filled with logical, clear direction, but balanced nicely with realism and a touch of humor. And did I mention humility? There's nothing more intimidating for newbies than to feel that the seasoned writer(s) giving advice never experienced what you're experiencing in the early stages. This book is the exact opposite: you hear it in every word, every "we've all been there" lament. It's both comforting and directive, and I know I'll treasure it as I continue this journey. An absolute Bible for us all!
May 17, 2021
Informative and helpful, Query is a short guide on how to construct a query to hook an agent or publisher. The worksheets are super helpful, as is the way she explains them based on a book blurb of her own.
While some of this information might be found on various sites on the internet, this guide keeps all the information in one convenient space. I'll definitely be using this guide when I start querying.
While some of this information might be found on various sites on the internet, this guide keeps all the information in one convenient space. I'll definitely be using this guide when I start querying.
May 8, 2013
More of my reviews can be found at YA Asylum.
FIRST IMPRESSION:
C.J. Redwine's sharing her special skills on querying? I've gotta read this.
Helpful?
How helpful you find this book will depend on where you are in the research stage. Have you read a bunch about how to get your lovely, awesome manuscript out into the world. If you've done your research (and I mean months) on how to write a perfect query letter and what to look for in a literary agent, then this isn't going to be extremely helpful.
BUT , I do believe it's still worth the read because of the extras C.J. Redwine has added into this lovely little ebook. Near the end, she addresses what to do if you get multiple offers of representation (what a dream, right?) and also what to ask when you get the all important The Call. This list is ridiculously perfect. I'm totally saving it for later use (well, I really hope I'll have to use it someday!).
If you're new to the whole querying concept, you should really read this one. C.J. Redwine breaks down all the important parts of a query letter. She also critiques one to tell you what works and what doesn't. Even better, she gives you a Query Worksheet to fill out to figure out what's important and what's not -- what to put in your query letter in other words and what's not.
She breaks down what would be helpful in your literary agent search as well and directs you to organizations and website that will help you in your search.
Personally, I have done tons of research into how to write a query letter and synopsis and literary agents. So you'd think that there really wouldn't be that big of an advantage for me to read this book, wouldn't you? Honestly, that's what I thought too. But it's only around $3 on Amazon and I really respect C.J. Redwine as a writer, so I thought I'd give it a try anyway.
I'm so glad I did.
The best part of this book for those who have already started this process or know plenty about it is learning about C.J. Redwine's experience. Hearing how hard it was for to get through the query process and land an agent was reassuring. I love to hear of those remarkable success stories that land an agent in the first go (or even better, multiple offers), but most of us aren't like that. I know I'm not. So hearing about other writer's similar experiences is inspirational and reassuring.
CONCLUSION:
If you're a writer, read this.
FIRST IMPRESSION:
C.J. Redwine's sharing her special skills on querying? I've gotta read this.
Helpful?
How helpful you find this book will depend on where you are in the research stage. Have you read a bunch about how to get your lovely, awesome manuscript out into the world. If you've done your research (and I mean months) on how to write a perfect query letter and what to look for in a literary agent, then this isn't going to be extremely helpful.
BUT , I do believe it's still worth the read because of the extras C.J. Redwine has added into this lovely little ebook. Near the end, she addresses what to do if you get multiple offers of representation (what a dream, right?) and also what to ask when you get the all important The Call. This list is ridiculously perfect. I'm totally saving it for later use (well, I really hope I'll have to use it someday!).
If you're new to the whole querying concept, you should really read this one. C.J. Redwine breaks down all the important parts of a query letter. She also critiques one to tell you what works and what doesn't. Even better, she gives you a Query Worksheet to fill out to figure out what's important and what's not -- what to put in your query letter in other words and what's not.
She breaks down what would be helpful in your literary agent search as well and directs you to organizations and website that will help you in your search.
Personally, I have done tons of research into how to write a query letter and synopsis and literary agents. So you'd think that there really wouldn't be that big of an advantage for me to read this book, wouldn't you? Honestly, that's what I thought too. But it's only around $3 on Amazon and I really respect C.J. Redwine as a writer, so I thought I'd give it a try anyway.
I'm so glad I did.
The best part of this book for those who have already started this process or know plenty about it is learning about C.J. Redwine's experience. Hearing how hard it was for to get through the query process and land an agent was reassuring. I love to hear of those remarkable success stories that land an agent in the first go (or even better, multiple offers), but most of us aren't like that. I know I'm not. So hearing about other writer's similar experiences is inspirational and reassuring.
CONCLUSION:
If you're a writer, read this.
October 22, 2015
I highly recommend this to fellow aspiring writers. For months after I finished my first young adult novel, I spent my time carousing the internet looking for examples of how great queries should look. I found some decent ones but I also found ones that said you should do this and that, while agency sites I was looking into said the complete opposites.
C.J. Redwine writes one of my all-time favorite young adult series so when I saw this on her page, I knew I had to check it out. Normally I don't buy enovellas/ebooks, but I made the exception since this was not something I could purchase at a bookstore. I was very satisfied with what I got.
She breaks it down very simply so that it's easy to understand. You can really get a good feel for how much personality she throws into it so that it's not your everyday non-fiction. She says something about how when she got done with her first novel and then sent it out for the first time, she spent most of her time checking her email and playing Plants vs. Zombies. Now that's something I can relate to! I really enjoyed how much care and thought she put into making it so it was so much of a better read for potential authors.
C.J. Redwine writes one of my all-time favorite young adult series so when I saw this on her page, I knew I had to check it out. Normally I don't buy enovellas/ebooks, but I made the exception since this was not something I could purchase at a bookstore. I was very satisfied with what I got.
She breaks it down very simply so that it's easy to understand. You can really get a good feel for how much personality she throws into it so that it's not your everyday non-fiction. She says something about how when she got done with her first novel and then sent it out for the first time, she spent most of her time checking her email and playing Plants vs. Zombies. Now that's something I can relate to! I really enjoyed how much care and thought she put into making it so it was so much of a better read for potential authors.
October 26, 2016
Great advice on how to write a query letter.
May 6, 2017
Nice little handbook. While I thought the query letter portion (the reason I bought this in the first place) wasn't quite as helpful as some of the blogs I've read, there was a ton of other information in here I didn't even realize I needed to know.
June 24, 2021
Short but crazy helpful with tons of wit, that I've come to associate with CJ Redwine.
October 10, 2024
Like Folgers in the Morning
I found Ms. Redwine's booklet interesting, to the point, and beneficial for my needs. It's not Blue Mountian but it is digestable, and tasty.
I found Ms. Redwine's booklet interesting, to the point, and beneficial for my needs. It's not Blue Mountian but it is digestable, and tasty.
February 18, 2012
Relatively brief and to the point, this book is a fantastic resource for authors entering the query trenches. But beyond that, it has some broader wisdom about keeping your writing tight and focused that I think would be useful to every writer, new or seasoned. I really wish this had been available when we were beginning our journey! A definite must-have reference.
May 7, 2012
Really good, direct information. I'm left feeling freaked out but confident and much more prepared than I was previously. Will definitely be referencing this later this summer when I begin querying my current project.
March 3, 2013
Steps:
1. Read this book.
2. Write the best query ever.
3. Thank C.J.
4. Tell your writer friends to read this book.
5. Thank C.J. again.
It's a query workshop IN A BOOK.
(Also includes EXCELLENT questions to ask potential agents during the call. )
Thank you, C.J.! <3!
1. Read this book.
2. Write the best query ever.
3. Thank C.J.
4. Tell your writer friends to read this book.
5. Thank C.J. again.
It's a query workshop IN A BOOK.
(Also includes EXCELLENT questions to ask potential agents during the call. )
Thank you, C.J.! <3!
May 17, 2014
Perfect for learning how to write a query letter.
February 27, 2015
Very helpful! Great tips on a terrifying part of getting published.
January 23, 2016
Quick, concise and easy to follow! Great for people approaching the concept of Querying for the first time
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews