Writer's Paradise discussion
Story help/ Writing advice
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Does anyone know how to write a book query?
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Okay, I've only written like two query letters in my life, but I'll try to help. Ah-hem.1) Genre is tricky, I know what you mean. A story can also be more than one genre. I admit, I didn't get to read all of Reawakened Soul, but from what I read I think I would probably categorize it as Urban Fantasy. I wouldn't get too hung up on it, as long as you don't categorize it as something waaay off like historical fiction or something. You know what I mean?
2) Have you tried agentquery.com? (http://agentquery.com/) It's the website I've used to look up agents. You can search by genre, which is really helpful. Plus it has a lot of details on all the agents. :)
3) There's no specific format, really, and it depends on what the agent wants. Some of them specify how long they want the query letter to be. But for the most part: yes, about a page is good. Keep it concise.
This is the format I've used:
-1st paragraph: state the title of the book, the genre, the setting, and the approximate length
-2nd paragraph: very, very briefly describe the plot. This is the hard part, because it's easy to fall into a really long synopsis. Try to stick to something short, only leaving in the most significant details. Introduce the main character, his/her goals, the conflict, other important characters, and what themes the book conveys.
-3rd/4th paragraphs: Describe your experience in publishing. Yes, it's okay to say you don't have a lot of experience. Be honest! Also, mention how your book relates to books that are already published – but be sure to mention how your book has originality, too. You want to say your book has some similarities to others, but that it will bring something new to readers.
overall: Keep it very simple. There's no need to make it sound too "fancy". It should be concise and easy to follow. Remember that the purpose isn't to show off your writing style, necessarily, but to make the publisher understand what your book is like. Also, keep your tone neutral. Meaning, don't try to be modest or anything (Don't say "Oh my book is crappy and it's okay if you don't like it") or conceited either (Don't say "My book is the best thing in the world and you must publish it or DIE!"), just tell them what your book is about and that should speak for itself.
As for being young ... Well, it never stopped me. You're not required to mention your age to the publisher. You might have to admit that you've never been published and have limited experience, but they don't need to know anything more than that.
And be really really sure that you think your book is publishable. Have multiple people read it and give LOTS of criticism. Other people always see mistakes that you don't see. Trust me – I'll read something I've written a hundred times, and still fail to see some really glaring typo, or notice some gaping plot hole. There's no rush.
But when you're ready to write your letter, I hope my advice helps. :) If you're still confused you can see the letters I've written ... Although neither received a reply, so they might not be the best examples. >.<
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(last edited Jun 01, 2009 03:27PM)
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1) Urban fantasy. Hmm ... that sounds like a good genre. I kept going over realistic fiction, but it has to have a plausible idea (like it could actually happen, you know?) and some of the stuff in my book is more fantasy-like.
2) No, actually. Thanks for the site! I've mainly been using Google to find lists of agents to search through--and that hasn't worked very well for me.
3) On the second paragraph, would that be like a teaser on the back of a book? Like a description of the story (like what we put here on Goodreads?)? Or should I go a little more in depth than that?
Hey Ladies, if you are to the point of looking to publish, be sure to check out this site and read everything!It's called Writer Beware. THis way YOU don't have to make the learning curve mistakes that others have made.
http://www.sfwa.org/beware/
ooh, i'll totally check it out, when I have time! thanks!
Mod
Kenzie, check out these links, they're very helpful:http://www.wordhustler.com/agents/pag...
http://www.katfeete.net/writing/agent...
http://www.charlottedillon.com/query....
Mod
Kenzie wrote: "Thanks so much, Brigid! This has really helped. :)1) Urban fantasy. Hmm ... that sounds like a good genre. I kept going over realistic fiction, but it has to have a plausible idea (like it could ..."
Okay in answer to your questions:
1) Yeah, it's definitely more like urban fantasy than realistic fiction. Realistic fiction is ... well ... REALISTIC. lol :D Urban fantasy is basically something "fantastic" – involving magic or powers, etc. – taking place in a modern setting.
2) You're welcome! Yeah, I started off using Google and it took me forever to find that site, but it really helped me. :)
3) Hmm ... Well, it should be basically the same length as a goodreads description, maybe a little longer. It depends. But just be sure to cover: main character/some other important characters, setting, basic premise/plot, and themes.
Kenzie wrote: "Well, I've already sent off two *crosses fingers* I'll still check out the sites, though. Thanks, Sella! :)"Np :D
♥ Brigid ♥ wrote: "Okay, I've only written like two query letters in my life, but I'll try to help. Ah-hem.
1) Genre is tricky, I know what you mean. A story can also be more than one genre. I admit, I didn't get to..."
At the bottom about not being able to see something I know what you mean, I had my friend read it and she found A LOT of things.
1) Genre is tricky, I know what you mean. A story can also be more than one genre. I admit, I didn't get to..."
At the bottom about not being able to see something I know what you mean, I had my friend read it and she found A LOT of things.
Yeah, I usually have my mom read my stuff over, and she'll be like "UMM Brigid this makes NO SENSE!" and I'll reread it and be like, "Oh ... yeah ... don't know why I didn't see that the first two hundred times I read it." O_o lol
yep . . . when my dad read the beginning of my book, he had pen markings all over with with question marks decorating every edge of the page. . . lol
My mom gets so caught up on my grammar... drives me crazy... I'll be like, BUT DO YOU LIKE THE STORY?
And she'll say: Well, Honey, it's good, but in this paragraph, you used the wrong kind of "your"....
I'll be like: GAH! YOU ARE NO HELP AT ALL!
And then she'll criticize my plot in weird ways... Like, ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT HER TO LIKE COFFEE???
And I'm like, : MOM! THAT'S NOT EVEN A MAJOR DETAIL! IT DOESN'T MATTER!
And she says: Well...
The frustration never ends.
I'm sorry, it's frustrating you.
lol my mommy is kinda the same way. she'll point out all the grammar mistakes and all the annoying little plot holes like "BUT WHEN DO THEY GO TO THE BATHROOM?"and i'm like, "so ummm what about the actual STORY?"
and she's just like "oh, it's good."
it's like she doesn't have anything good to say about it, yet all the time she's telling me i'm like a child prodigy so idk. it confuses me. lol >_<
honestly, i've read about one book about people going to the bathroom, and off the top of my head, it's bound to be Breaking Dawn.
It irritates me too... Like when she says,"But when they're at the hotel... how does she get, like, feminine hygiene products when she needs them?"
I'm just like:
"WHO CARES?"
Mod
LOL!!! :D I never talk about when my characters use the bathroom. I just assume that they use the toilet - or a tree, whichever one they need - whenever need be and just don't tell the world about it.
Sella wrote: "LOL!!! :D I never talk about when my characters use the bathroom. I just assume that they use the toilet - or a tree, whichever one they need - whenever need be and just don't tell the world about it."saaame. but apparently that's not good enough. *grumble grumble*
Kenzie wrote: "My characters just wet their pants and hope no one notices. LOL Jk"ROFL!!!! haha omg ... i just had a laughing fit ... good thing i'm alone at home. hehe
My problem is this:
1) I can't figure out what genre Reawakened Soul is. I keep looking up genres, and one will seem to fit, but part of my story negates part of the definition.
2) I can't find an agent. I've been looking around websites to find a reliable agent who I know will help me, but no one's really stood out to me.
3) I'm not sure what you're supposed to include in a query letter. How long is acceptable? I've heard about one page, is that right? What should you include? Is there specific information you should have, or are you just spitting out facts?
As you can tell, I'm confused. I have NO clue what I'm doing. Does anyone with any experience in this know what to do?
And, as I'm only 14, do you think any of them will be interested?