Dazzling Queries

Writing Advice: Dazzling Queries

By Teresa Slack
Whenever I speak to a group of writers someone in the room will ask what to include in a query. Writing a book is tough enough, but getting the attention of a publisher or agent once it’s finished makes the writing process look like a walk in the park. You have about two seconds to hook them enough to keep reading. They don’t know how talented you are, and telling them won’t win you any fans. You’ve got to show them, and fast.

As with the opening hook of your book, your query letter must grab your prospective agent’s or publisher’s attention from the word go. These people are busy and have no time to wade through your set up. Assuming you have already read the submissions guidelines of the company you are approaching because you are a conscientious businessperson who would never waste the time of someone who doesn’t even publish what you’ve written, you are ready to craft your query letter.

There’s nothing more frustrating or difficult than trying to condense your 400-page masterpiece into a pitch sentence and one paragraph. But it must be done. Hopefully you started working on this before the book was finished. If you didn’t, don’t despair, but get it done now. Not only will you need a killer pitch for your query, you’ll want it ready the next time you are at a conference and you get an opportunity to speak briefly with an agent over the dinner table or in line for the restroom.

Besides describing your manuscript, the word count, whether it’s finished or not, and it’s status with other agencies, you will need to include you bio and why you are the most qualified person to write your book.

Sadly when most of us first begin pursuing publication or representation, we don’t have many publishing credits to showcase. You can’t get published without an agent, and you can’t get an agent without having been published. Ugh! What’s a writer to do? Instead of embellishing your resume to impress, dazzle them with your ability to put forth information and ideas.

Most any editor will tell you the most important things they hope to see in a submission are a fabulous story and a fresh voice. Hopefully your manuscript contains both. So don’t fake it. Don’t apologize. Be yourself. Don’t tell them how much your family and friends love your writing. Supply the information requested and get out of there. You have one page to dazzle. One chance. Don’t let it slip by.

Evidence of Grace, the third book in Teresa Slack’s Jenna’s Creek series, debuted nationwide at #18 in the Christian market. She is currently working on her next novel. More information about Teresa and her books can be found at http://www.teresaslack.com

Posted on Tuesday, October 06 @ 01:22:45 CDT by User

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