OK, folks. Pimping the query was fun and informative - I learned a lot and feel my query is now stronger than before, which was the whole idea. I've revised it a bit further, but won't bore you with the additional changes. Suffice it to say, it rocks. At least I think it rocks. Professional opinions may vary.Speaking of professional opinions, I've done a pretty good job of e-querying the agents I'm interested in. Now it's time for the ever-popular snail-mail approach. I'm so excited to be spending the next few days at my desk-top computer trudging, I mean joyfully flitting (is that even a word?) through the submissions guidelines of various agents who've decided saving trees is secondary to the unmatchable feel of paper in your hands. I can't blame them, really. I imagine reading through countless queries in your e-mail box gets old after a while (like about ten minutes) and makes you want to drink more. After all, we're writers and writing is published in books and books are made out of paper! Yeah, that's the ticket! Well, not counting Kindle, etc., but you get my point. Plus, my friend, Wendy, recently snagged herself a class-act of an agent via snail mail, and who am I to argue with success?
BTW: Hop on over to Book Roast today where they're having a fun, little St. Paddy's Day contest. Pitch your idea utilizing "luck" in 75 words or less. I drank a few green beers and threw my leprechaun's hat in the ring. Even if you don't play, you can comment on those who are stupid, I mean courageous enough, to do so. (Plus, you can always read through the pitches, laugh your ass off, and - when appropriate - refill the green beer keg.)
Enjoy your St. Patrick's Day! And, where are YOU wearing your green today?
(All I'll say is my green is part of a beautiful floral arrangement. Where those flowers are is for me to know and, if I'm LUCKY, my husband to figure out!)
27 comments:
Those snail mail queries are daunting, but I also have two friends from writing classes who got agents from paper queries. I find it very curious!! I'd prefer to do everyone through email.
Good luck with the queries! I sent out fifty! LOL! But they were all email... snail mail would've been next! And of course I'm wearing green! heheheh! We're a very St Patty's celebrating family! enjoy your day too! Jenni
Amy, Damn straight, they're daunting! Part of me feels like I'm stepping back in time... What an archaic process! Of course, it's after 1PM and I'm still working a few e-queries. Procrastination is an evil mistress!
Jenni, 50 is not really all that many. Good for you! Glad you're wearing green. Wouldn't want six kids and a husband all pinching you at once!
Hi Debra, I'm sending out good vibes, crossed fingers and since it's Saint Paddy's Day, a four leaf clover for luck. :)
Happy mailing, Schube! (Is your bouquet a new tattoo??) :)
hahaha, laughing at Angie above and waving!
Glad you got it done, Shube, and a bunch of lucky clovers coming your way for Saint Paddy's day and snagging the agent!!! You can do it!
Val, Thanks for the bouquet of good luck charms! I'm certainly going to need them!!
Angie, Very funny. Not that I haven't considered that very idea. All I'll say is, the flowers aren't permanent...
Kimmi, Love your enthusiasm! It's a rough world out there, but hopefully my path will cross the Perfect Agent path sooner than later...
Well, I guess it's good to mix it up, a little e-, a little snail. Good luck, fingers crossed for many requests soon! (And don't forget the SASE ;))
Joanne, You made me laugh with the "don't forget to include the SASE" comment. I assume you're referring to my 'Art of the Query' post where I, I mean my mc, suggests sending rejection letters to agents.
http://debralschubert.blogspot.com/2009/02/art-of-query.html
Yup, that's the only way to get those rejections, I mean, requests for fulls back!;-)
Love the cat pic. Good luck with your snail mail queries. Let us know when you hear anything.
Lynnette Labelle
http://lynnettelabelle.blogspot.com
Lynette, Isn't that cat pic the bomb? I showed it to my kitties (all six of them), but they didn't seem too impressed. I'll definitely keep you updated on any good news!
Yeah, snail mail queries... you have to wonder why. Usually an agent can determine whether there's interest in the first couple of paragraphs, putting writers through a lot of unnecessary trouble and expense. I don't get it.
Best of luck to you, Debra!
Well, did your husband find the green?
Oh good luck, Debbie! I know it's not really hinged on 'luck', but it can't hurt to imagine the day (whichever day it is)aligning so that your future agent is in the best possible mood when your envelope ends up as the next in queue.
Linda, I'm with you. WTF? However, it's basically their game and they get to write the rules. I'm procrastinating on the snail mail. I think I'm going to work on my current WIP and wait to hear back from some of the e-queries. If that's a bust, I can always go the paper route.
Debbie, You're making me blush...
Jamie, From your lips to the big Guy/Gal upstairs' ears. I think luck does play a part, but it's the hard work and determination that I have control over. And since I'm kind of a control freak...
You'll have to let me know about the snail mail thing. I'm afraid I've been too lazy for that approach, but I'm wondering if the rest of the writing world has been lazy about it, too, hence leaving open a wide open door of opportunity. Good luck! (at least you don't have to lick stamps, anymore)
Hey, I saw your pitch at Book Roast. Wonderful to see the editors ADORE your pitch and query. Good luck with the agent search!
And FYI, I decided to join the band. :-)
Anita, I've had those same thoughts - we're all querying via e-mail so there must be a whole in the snail-mail pitches. However, it's still snail mail and a lot more effort. I'm trying to decide if I'd be better off working on my current WIP or spending quality time with my printer...
PI, Thanks for the Book Roast comment, and congrats to you for "winning!" And, you joined the band? I can't wait to hear more about it!!!!
I tried finding and agent to sell my movie script, but they kept throwing me out of the blockbuster and said, "We rent videos here, not make them!"
BBSD, We all have to learn somehow. You might try writing to Netflix. Maybe you'll have better luck there.;-)
The beautiful thing about snail mail querying is getting snail mail rejection. They look good filling up a huge box in your office. I should show you mine some time.
I wore a green Guinness t-shirt, are you gonna tell us what you wore?
Ray, What did I wear? It starts with th and ends with ng. That's all I'll say.
BTW: I e-mailed you the other day and I'm still waiting for your query advice. What gives? (dlschubert@verizon.net)
dang it - it erased my comment! errghh -- okay, what did I say -- congrats on the query rocking -- but I wrote it much more cooler *laughing*
I suck at query writing -- I know I said that - that my query will never rock - wah!
Kat, I hate it when my comment gets deleted!!! Somehow I doubt that you suck at anything when it comes to writing. Thanks for coming home and for stopping by.;-)
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