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 How to Write a Great Query Letter

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Abe F. March
Brenda Hill
zadaconnaway
Pam
Shelagh
Jenny
Malcolm
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Abe F. March
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Abe F. March


Number of posts : 10768
Registration date : 2008-01-26
Age : 85
Location : Germany

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PostSubject: Re: How to Write a Great Query Letter   How to Write a Great Query Letter - Page 2 EmptySun Feb 24, 2008 9:29 am

Brenda,
I think honesty should never be a problem. I appreciate the mention of how they view a PA published book. I think it is important to know that. Having said that, I remind myself that each agent and publisher view things a bit differently.
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Brenda Hill
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Brenda Hill


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Location : Southern CA

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PostSubject: Re: How to Write a Great Query Letter   How to Write a Great Query Letter - Page 2 EmptySun Feb 24, 2008 9:35 am

That's what's so frustrating in this business, Abe. There's no set rules to follow.

Most agents say they'd never consider certain publishers as a credit, yet, if you present evidence of high sales, then that's a different story.
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http://www.brendahill.com
Jenny
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Jenny


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Location : Sheffield, England

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PostSubject: Re: How to Write a Great Query Letter   How to Write a Great Query Letter - Page 2 EmptySun Feb 24, 2008 11:16 am

Brenda,

I wonder if they view online reviewers such as Oncewritten.com, Allbookreviews, Midwest Book Review in the same light? My PA book received four star reviews from each of these companies and I often wonder whether I should mention it in my query letter.
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http://www.victoriahoward.co.uk
Brenda Hill
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Brenda Hill


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PostSubject: Re: How to Write a Great Query Letter   How to Write a Great Query Letter - Page 2 EmptySun Feb 24, 2008 11:23 am

Congratulations, Jenny!

Of them all, I believe Midwest Book Review is held in the highest regard, so yes, by all means, mention them only.
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Jenny
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Jenny


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PostSubject: Re: How to Write a Great Query Letter   How to Write a Great Query Letter - Page 2 EmptySun Feb 24, 2008 11:29 am

Brenda,

I was very careful when it came to reviews, I intentionally sent the manuscript to outside reviewers. So, apart from Shelagh and Leslie McQuinn, no other PA author reviewed my book. I would recommend other PA authors to do the same, but if I mentioned this on the PA board, I dare say I would be shot down in flames! Evil or Very Mad
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http://www.victoriahoward.co.uk
Brenda Hill
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Brenda Hill


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PostSubject: Re: How to Write a Great Query Letter   How to Write a Great Query Letter - Page 2 EmptySun Feb 24, 2008 12:10 pm

I realize that, Jenny, so you were wise in your decision.

I'd started a tagline thread on another MB, so maybe we should start a query letter thread here. That way, each of us could crique and offer suggestions.

Query letters, taglines and blurbs are so important in our careers.
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http://www.brendahill.com
E. Don Harpe
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E. Don Harpe


Number of posts : 1979
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Age : 82
Location : Florida

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PostSubject: Re: How to Write a Great Query Letter   How to Write a Great Query Letter - Page 2 EmptySun Feb 24, 2008 2:08 pm

Right now there is a good story available as a free download from Amazon Shorts. It's by Noah Lukeman and is called

HOW TO WRITE A GREAT QUERY LETTER.

Here's a link, it's well worth reading.

http://www.amazon.com/How-Write-Great-Query-Letter/dp/B00122GU86/ref=pd_ts_c_th_1?pf_rd_p=257496201&pf_rd_s=right-5&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=13993911&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0YCDRZG4R18W7V6Y7H0M
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Jenny
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Jenny


Number of posts : 531
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Location : Sheffield, England

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PostSubject: Re: How to Write a Great Query Letter   How to Write a Great Query Letter - Page 2 EmptyTue Feb 26, 2008 1:54 pm

Brenda,

I noticed you mentioned in your query letter that you have done a number of Writers' Digest courses and Gotham Online courses. I wonder if you could tell me which ones, and whether you found them useful.
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http://www.victoriahoward.co.uk
Malcolm
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Malcolm


Number of posts : 1504
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Location : Georgia

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PostSubject: Re: How to Write a Great Query Letter   How to Write a Great Query Letter - Page 2 EmptyFri Feb 29, 2008 6:02 pm

Thanks for sharing those letters, Brenda. Regardless of which agent's "rules" we're using, this is a great illustration of how to do it.

Malcolm
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Malcolm
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Malcolm


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PostSubject: Re: How to Write a Great Query Letter   How to Write a Great Query Letter - Page 2 EmptyThu Mar 06, 2008 11:32 am

Benda,

One thing we see from most experts here is to follow what the agent's guidelines suggest. Lukeman's letter is pretty barebones, so I'm thinking that if an agent says one page, I can add more info about the plot as long as it doesn't mean using narrow margins and small type.

The most time-consuming suggestion from Lukeman is finding a reason in graph one for contacting each agent. That is, if one wasn't referred, then what is about that agent that made us pick him/her other than throwing a dart at an agent list?

Malcolm
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Brenda Hill
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Brenda Hill


Number of posts : 1297
Registration date : 2008-02-16
Location : Southern CA

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PostSubject: Re: How to Write a Great Query Letter   How to Write a Great Query Letter - Page 2 EmptyFri Mar 07, 2008 2:20 pm

Hi y'all. I've been out for a few weeks housesitting, then when I got home, I was snowed with work.

Jenny, I think all of the courses I took were helpful, but just like taking college or university courses, no particular one will teach everything the modern writer needs to know.

But between you and me, I'd taken so many that when I took the last one, I wound up teaching the teacher. I don't want to name it on a public forum, but send an email and I'll let you know.

I think the writing courses offered at the University of Iowa are tops, but you have to allow the time to room there. I roomed in the women's dormitory and found that to be quite an experience.

You're so right, Malcom. It always helps to include something extra like that, but it's not always possible.
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http://www.brendahill.com
blackrosewriting
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blackrosewriting


Number of posts : 62
Registration date : 2008-03-17
Location : Texas

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PostSubject: Re: How to Write a Great Query Letter   How to Write a Great Query Letter - Page 2 EmptyThu Mar 27, 2008 7:32 am

We also have a "How to write a query letter..." guideline on "The Portal" page @ www.blackrosewriting.com.

It is a brief sketch of what agents and publishers are looking for through our personal experiences. Also... it's free!!!
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http://www.blackrosewriting.com
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