tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472336490065374318.post8146128287950116689..comments2023-08-01T07:56:41.417-05:00Comments on Alison Pearce Stevens: Q is for (how not to) QueryAlison Pearce Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00955543150406880055noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472336490065374318.post-54996984421845668962011-04-27T18:31:45.806-05:002011-04-27T18:31:45.806-05:00This is a good "bad" query letter! But ...This is a good "bad" query letter! But I think the most impressive part is all the weird characters in the dialogue!<br /><br />The biggest mistake is one that's not even in the writing--that is, sending the letter to the wrong agent, one who doesn't represent your genre. Waste of time for both sides!Michelle Machhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11250447711658920958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472336490065374318.post-29665248237876835432011-04-21T16:15:40.535-05:002011-04-21T16:15:40.535-05:00Thanks for the laugh! My keyboard is missing that...Thanks for the laugh! My keyboard is missing that key...hilarious! Except you did miss some of the g's (figh and amazing)...sorry to point that out. They'd know you were lying. :0)Dawn M. Hamsherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17782257750640888264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472336490065374318.post-8683399725754196482011-04-21T12:21:18.951-05:002011-04-21T12:21:18.951-05:00Christie: Aren't we all? ;)
Good question. ...Christie: Aren't we all? ;) <br /><br />Good question. I have used "Dear Acquisitions Editor" when I just haven't been able to find the editor's name. I supposed you could probably find out if you subscribe to Publisher's Marketplace, but since I only subscribe to (the free) Publisher's Lunch, I can't say for sure.Alison Pearce Stevenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00955543150406880055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472336490065374318.post-9000282296085057302011-04-21T10:28:50.938-05:002011-04-21T10:28:50.938-05:00Here's another one: Never start a query with &...Here's another one: Never start a query with "I'm a mom..."<br /><br />If you can't write "To Whom It May Concern" and I'm writing to a publisher, can you say "Dear Editor"? Or is it really that important to go the extra mile and discover a name. All the websites I ever go to never list an editor's name. Any suggestions?Christie Wright Wildhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13656162315858480593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472336490065374318.post-58714683528093548632011-04-21T06:27:27.690-05:002011-04-21T06:27:27.690-05:00Brooke: It is incredibly hard to write with a miss...Brooke: It is incredibly hard to write with a missing letter! :)<br /><br />Luana: Yes it does. Still learning that skill (but mine are better than what I posted here).<br /><br />DU: Glad you enjoyed it.<br /><br />K.C.: No worries, this was my attempt to do everything wrong.<br /><br />Donea: Right. Back to the agent stalker spreadsheet...<br /><br />Kari: 'fraid so. :)Alison Pearce Stevenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00955543150406880055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472336490065374318.post-33588755708878068382011-04-20T18:20:34.245-05:002011-04-20T18:20:34.245-05:00You mean I should spell check? Drat. *mumbles and ...You mean I should spell check? Drat. *mumbles and adds it to list* I think I'd watch Ben Affleck or Matt Damon play like a rock but an elephant would be intersting.KM Nallehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06714392426676743868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472336490065374318.post-81876926632692972502011-04-20T16:06:46.528-05:002011-04-20T16:06:46.528-05:00Ah, too funny. :) Let's see? Query no-nos? ...Ah, too funny. :) Let's see? Query no-nos? Well, never start with "To whom it may concern". Should be a no-brainer! No rhetorical questions. Don't synop-size it. Don't compare to best sellers. Don't tell the agent what they are looking for, they already know. The list goes on...<br /><br />Writing a good query letter is an art form, indeed!Donea Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15393184831994368021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472336490065374318.post-65822928135141198062011-04-20T15:53:21.719-05:002011-04-20T15:53:21.719-05:00You had me worried there ... :-)You had me worried there ... :-)K.C. Woolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04047055661710059161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472336490065374318.post-66687516422086903242011-04-20T12:33:45.327-05:002011-04-20T12:33:45.327-05:00Hilarious. I have to say, I'm really enjoying ...Hilarious. I have to say, I'm really enjoying what everyone is coming up with for the A to Z challenge!D. U. Okonkwohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12900694425526387930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472336490065374318.post-35512414152523241712011-04-20T12:00:02.574-05:002011-04-20T12:00:02.574-05:00Query letters are a challenge. It takes a lot of t...Query letters are a challenge. It takes a lot of talent to write a good one.Luana Krausehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08940192586072864886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472336490065374318.post-79340621340089165352011-04-20T11:11:19.989-05:002011-04-20T11:11:19.989-05:00Ha! Thanks for the laugh. I especially love the ...Ha! Thanks for the laugh. I especially love the missing G.Brooke Rousseauhttp://www.brookerousseau.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472336490065374318.post-12727517524010631412011-04-20T07:04:31.796-05:002011-04-20T07:04:31.796-05:00Francine: Professional is always best. Good luck!!...Francine: Professional is always best. Good luck!!<br /><br />Chippy: Bad spelling might get the query tossed before the reader even got to the bragging!<br /><br />Donna: Couldn't agree more. :)<br /><br />Susanna: Thanks!Alison Pearce Stevenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00955543150406880055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472336490065374318.post-29773299360051113542011-04-20T06:16:25.314-05:002011-04-20T06:16:25.314-05:00Love it! Thanks for the laugh! I'd like to s...Love it! Thanks for the laugh! I'd like to see Matt Damon or Ben Affleck play an elephant :)Susanna Leonard Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17655630528649780363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472336490065374318.post-14027587286474501632011-04-20T03:45:58.397-05:002011-04-20T03:45:58.397-05:00The biggest mistake is to relate it to another bes...The biggest mistake is to relate it to another best selling novel. I the agent represents it, they don't want to invest in a rival; if they don't, they don't want to compete. Or be embarrassed.<br /><br />Just tell the agent what you wrote. The novel in front of them is all that is important. When I'm coaching employees in my agency who want to promote, the first thing I tell them is not to say what that "don't" do (the same as comparng to another author) but rather to embellish on what they DO. Let the industry profesionals (in my day job the hiring panel) be the judge of what works and what doesn't on a case by case basis.<br /><br />If it has the writing feel of _blank_ author, they'll recognize it and decide later if they want to pu blish it.<br /><br />I say just write your novel/short story, polish it, and submit on its own merits. If it resembles a style the publishers are willing to back - great. But always always believe in your own writing ability to capture the agent/editor/publishiner.<br /><br />.........dholedolorahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08715849844092553699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472336490065374318.post-36975637606217395072011-04-20T02:31:33.448-05:002011-04-20T02:31:33.448-05:00I reckon the biggest mistakes would be bragging an...I reckon the biggest mistakes would be bragging and bad spelling.<br /><br />The bragging will probably annoy the recipient of the query and bad spelling - well if your query is spelt incorrectly what hope does your manuscript have?Chippyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11598272265567334451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472336490065374318.post-25168232497872383662011-04-20T02:12:46.963-05:002011-04-20T02:12:46.963-05:00Hi,
I've heard it said and seen it on UK lit ...Hi,<br /><br />I've heard it said and seen it on UK lit Agent sites: never compare your novel to a hot best-seller. We'll decide if its comparible to a best-seller and has similar sales potential. If it has the chances are we will sign you up pronto!<br /><br />To be fair I've always written formal business lik queries, with a taste of the novel and one potent piece of dialogue. Such usually reciprocated with good response! Fingers crossed I have a sub out at present. So far so good. ;)<br /><br />best<br />FFrancine Howarthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.com