tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113459088262891680.post7277498767787682676..comments2023-10-30T09:45:16.159-06:00Comments on Writing on the Wall: Monday Mania--Query LetterPrecision Editing Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054725687044240043noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113459088262891680.post-44746880126381998742013-03-07T11:56:45.257-07:002013-03-07T11:56:45.257-07:00I agree with the first two comments. It goes too l...I agree with the first two comments. It goes too long. You want it to be tight and tidy. Who is the main character or focus? What is the main conflict here? Is it a rift between the two sisters who are left trying to pick up the pieces of their lost loved ones? <br /><br />I also agree with the too many questions. I would keep it to one question (and even then, I've heard agents complain about how much they don't like getting queries with a hypothetical question). So if you keep one, make it one that really packs a punch.<br /><br />The main body of the query where the book is explained needs to be short--as Josi said, 6-7 lines.<br /><br />But then in closing you should put a line or two about who your audience is, what the word count is, and to what other books it might be similar. For example:<br />‘I AM ALIVE, I DID NOT DIE!’ is a non fiction book similar to (place favorite after life experience book that is truely similar here). It's a book that will help those who've lost loved ones feel hope again. It's completed manuscript at XXXX words is available upon your request.<br />THEN<br />you need a bio.<br />What are your credentials? What other writing credits do you have? Are you a counselor or psychologist who helps people cope with loss, or what makes you the right person to write this book? This should be just a few lines to show who you are.<br /><br />It does sound like a good book! Good luck!Julie Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15311231654035295596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113459088262891680.post-32562407276104004062013-03-06T08:28:25.406-07:002013-03-06T08:28:25.406-07:00The content of this query is intriguing, but it le...The content of this query is intriguing, but it left me with a lot of questions. Is this fiction or non-fiction? How long is it? What's the genre/audience? As for how much to tell us, I feel like we're getting too much information. I suggest looking at this content and choosing three focuses to spotlight in your query--perhaps 1) Kathy coping with the death of her mother and brother 2) Communicating with them and learning about the afterlife 3) Kathy coming to realize her own spiritual gifts through communicating with spirits on the other side. Keep it tight, to the point, and confident--not more than 6 or 7 sentences of description meant to whet the agents appetite for more. Be careful about asking too many questions, it can give a 'preachy' tone to the query. <br /><br />Sounds like a great book, good luck!Josihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10615874450489497826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113459088262891680.post-16449071828706955702013-03-06T08:10:03.060-07:002013-03-06T08:10:03.060-07:00The beginning is very strong, but toward the end, ...The beginning is very strong, but toward the end, I felt like there was "too much" for a query letter. Also, when you start talking about the brother, it seems the focus is changed. Also, you should add the genre in the beginning, I wasn't sure if it was going to be fiction or non-fiction at first, and also include the word count. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com