The Query
It’s an understatement that writing a query letter is one of the hardest things an author does because you have to condense your story into a few paragraphs AND include a small bio. A query IS NOT a rundown of events.
Your query should consist of:
- Your main characters
- Their conflict/dilemma – I’m talking personal conflict, and it has to be something big. Stubbing one’s toe is not a dilemma.
- The choices facing the main character – what will happen based on the decisions they make?
To help ease the angst a bit, here is a link to a sample query that details the elements we need to see.
Click here for a sample query.
The Synopsis
Yet another Maalox moment. We’re not looking for cute or clever. We need the details of your story – including the ending. Please don’t be coy with this. I cringe when I see, “And does Janie find her long lost dog? Read the manuscript and find out!”
Pah. I invariably get annoyed and dump it because savvy writers know better. And I want to work with savvy writers. There are certain elements that we need to see in a synopsis, and it’s all too easy to add unneeded and unimportant information. This is truly a case of KISS (keep it simple, sweetie – yes, I’m aware that it’s not “sweetie,” but “stupid,” but that’s not a very nice thing to say, and my mother would be cross with me)
Relax, help is as far as a click.
Click here for a sample synopsis.
Stop! Got Voice?
Go get some here.
Think you hit a home run in your query?
Find out here.
The Death of a Manuscript
Hey…psst…wanna know how manuscripts die even though the stories may be wunnerful? Visit the Submission Autopsy Series:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
