Thursday, June 9, 2011

The Happy Query Letter

A couple days ago, I wrote a query letter for my novel—my baby. With the help of a couple Tweeps, I’ve tried to make it more polished. Of course, it will probably evolve over the next couple weeks. Perhaps it never will BE perfect. I can sure hope it will be seamless enough to get some requests and, ultimately, an agent and publisher. There IS a lot of weight bearing on this one short letter. The book I’ve worked on for a year and a half now could be shot down or embraced by a few paragraphs. I’m freaking out. But. I’m really, very excited to venture into the agent querying stage of my desperately wanted writing career.

To be honest, I look forward to the rejection letters because I’ll know an agent HAS responded to me. But, in my squealing and giddy ways, with a sheepish grin clothing my face, I’d rather get a nice fat YES from an agent or two, three, maybe four. I won’t be greedy, though. It is what authors dream of at night. Um, I never had that dream, but I’m sure it will come soon.

For all who have written a query letter, I feel your pain, now. After at least one more manuscript edit and another round of beta readers, I hope to be turning that letter in to agents who may or may not take me on as their protégé.

I look forward to this stage and hope I can overcome the obstacles that surely will blow into my life. Uh, like more rejection letters than I’d like to receive. But as the quote at the top of my blog says: “There’s a word for a writer who never gives up . . . published.” – Joe Konrath. So let’s not give up, champs.

26 comments:

  1. I will need the luck, Stephanie.

    Evie - I already love ya, girl. "Break a pencil." That is classic. I think I will start saying that from now on. haha

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  2. Good luck my dear! I'm certain you will do well. I can't wait to hear more about your querying process. :-)

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  3. Good luck! Keep us posted!

    I'm slightly jealous. I wish I would be done with my editing so I can begin the query process.

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  4. You'll get there before you know it, Ella, and then you'll be freaking out. Just keep working hard to get you MS as perfect as you can. Cheer cheer cheer for you and all authors. It's not an easy job. Fun, though!

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  5. Read Elana Johnson's free ebook From the Query to the Call. Then listen to her query crit call on Authors' Advisory later this month. Just sayin. :)

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  6. Sounds good. See what I can do Robin. Thanks!

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  7. Good luck, Julia! You have a phenomenal book there, I can't wait to see it in print!

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  8. Oh, you know how it is, Jack, to have your words in print would be AWESOME. (I almost wrote the other way to say that word, but I don't want to give it away) :D

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  9. Good luck! You are going to do awesome!

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  10. Thanks Jessica. I appreciate your friendship and encouragement!

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  11. "There IS a lot of weight bearing on this one short letter."

    What a simple and brief, yet brilliant statement.

    Traditionally-the road I've chosen as well-our work, our hearts, our very souls work, rests on that one three paragraph letter.

    I love that final quote as well.

    I wish you blessings and the best wishes my Rizzoli & Isles partner.

    We, YOU-can do this.

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