tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post3186261276798883229..comments2024-03-17T06:03:00.362-04:00Comments on Fiction University: Real Life Diagnostics: Would You Request Pages From This Query Letter? Janice Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-23505310180739628472016-01-20T19:24:49.188-05:002016-01-20T19:24:49.188-05:00Not to discount your comment, but I have to disagr...Not to discount your comment, but I have to disagree. Even though the plot does sound enticing, this query was confusing, which leads me to believe the book may be confusing, as this plot seems very complicated. Getting right to the point like Janice has shown would only improve this authors chances of getting published. Self publishing is NOT a back up option. If you're trying to go traditional and not getting picked up, you need to look at your work. Self-publishing a sub-standard book only enforces the stigma that self-publishing is for amateurs, and damages the market. Both forms of publishing require 110% hard work and dedication to make sure your book is the best it can be. <br /><br />Don't want to put in the work - don't publish.<br /><br />Not meaning to be harsh, but I'm really trying to destroy the bad stigma self-publishing currently has. Both are business decisions; make up your mind on one and stick to it. <br /><br />I'm P.Hen by the way :) I don't have any of the listed profiles which is why I'm listed as anonymous. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-45081455888116613952016-01-19T13:53:25.049-05:002016-01-19T13:53:25.049-05:00I second Query Shark. Another excellent one is Mis...I second Query Shark. Another excellent one is Miss Snark. Read through enough of those and you get a much better sense of what works and what doesn't. Look up her Hook-O-Meter and Crap-O-Meter posts. Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-27791978915702845902016-01-18T12:09:29.674-05:002016-01-18T12:09:29.674-05:00Have you read Query Shark? It's a blog by lite...Have you read Query Shark? It's a blog by literary agent Janet Reid. Reading through the archives is insanely helpful. She's critiqued over 270 queries on the blog. Good luck! Sounds like an interesting story!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14849186903948260385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-55393593807390531972016-01-17T06:56:45.065-05:002016-01-17T06:56:45.065-05:00Thanks for the detailed comments. This is more of ...Thanks for the detailed comments. This is more of what I thought. As I noted in the question, I was nudged into a form that made me uncomfortable. If I were to name names, you would be shocked, or maybe not, who gave me the advice. I've reduced it to 274 words.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00411448100557255190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-27348364970163188932016-01-16T11:53:02.108-05:002016-01-16T11:53:02.108-05:00It's too long! The whole letter shouldn't ...It's too long! The whole letter shouldn't be more than a page. I agree with Lori Atkins. This is a synopsis.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00037802543513149420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-60647116624583024922016-01-16T11:50:52.896-05:002016-01-16T11:50:52.896-05:00Perhaps you're confused with a synopsis and a ...Perhaps you're confused with a synopsis and a query letter. This feels like a synopsis.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02787259249720031535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-61402926943309358522016-01-16T09:59:59.548-05:002016-01-16T09:59:59.548-05:00I’m only a lowly reader, but based on the trial le...I’m only a lowly reader, but based on the trial letter, I’d read this book.<br /><br />Which isn’t to say ignore Janice’s input. You can make the letter stronger. Use it for back cover copy if/when you decide self-publishing’s the right way to go. Read and understand any contract you’re offered!<br /><br />Thanks for sharing it with us, and Good Luck!tonylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15317371592063754371noreply@blogger.com