Comments on: Comparing Yourself to Other Writers in a Query http://kidlit.com/2009/11/16/comparing-yourself-to-other-writers-in-a-query/ A place for people who love, read and write children's literature. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:29:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.3 By: Peter Dudley http://kidlit.com/2009/11/16/comparing-yourself-to-other-writers-in-a-query/comment-page-1/#comment-16160 Peter Dudley Tue, 22 Mar 2011 14:49:38 +0000 http://kidlit.com/?p=741#comment-16160 Timely post as I am nearing the query stage for a novel inspired by and in the genre of [popular novel]. So far, crit partners and [finicky members of target audience] agree with the similarities, but none of them fits your definition of a reference with credibility. Thanks. Timely post as I am nearing the query stage for a novel inspired by and in the genre of [popular novel]. So far, crit partners and [finicky members of target audience] agree with the similarities, but none of them fits your definition of a reference with credibility. Thanks.

]]> By: Sumner Wilson http://kidlit.com/2009/11/16/comparing-yourself-to-other-writers-in-a-query/comment-page-1/#comment-3534 Sumner Wilson Fri, 22 Jan 2010 02:02:27 +0000 http://kidlit.com/?p=741#comment-3534 Dear Mary: Would it be possible to omit the "I'm seeking representation--" from a query? I assume you already know this. After all, you are an agent--right? Thanks, Sumner Dear Mary:

Would it be possible to omit the “I’m seeking representation–” from a query? I assume you already know this. After all, you are an agent–right?

Thanks,
Sumner

]]> By: Katie Bowden http://kidlit.com/2009/11/16/comparing-yourself-to-other-writers-in-a-query/comment-page-1/#comment-2097 Katie Bowden Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:34:25 +0000 http://kidlit.com/?p=741#comment-2097 Thanks for this post - I've asked this question a number of times and not received as clear an answer. I'm with Karen (above) and like to use titles rather than authors as comparisons. Thanks for this post – I’ve asked this question a number of times and not received as clear an answer. I’m with Karen (above) and like to use titles rather than authors as comparisons.

]]> By: Susan James http://kidlit.com/2009/11/16/comparing-yourself-to-other-writers-in-a-query/comment-page-1/#comment-1954 Susan James Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:25:20 +0000 http://kidlit.com/?p=741#comment-1954 Thanks Mary! Thanks Mary!

]]> By: Mary http://kidlit.com/2009/11/16/comparing-yourself-to-other-writers-in-a-query/comment-page-1/#comment-1952 Mary Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:49:16 +0000 http://kidlit.com/?p=741#comment-1952 Susan -- Great question. This touches on a few things most writers struggle with. Do you aim for the commercial (which you might not admire) or the artistic and respectable? I'd say you can mix it up. What about "This story will appeal to fans of Bestselling Author and Cult Favorite Author." You've got a little bit of the commercial but a hint of the uniqueness of your project, by naming someone who's off the beaten path, that should appeal to editors, who aren't just looking for fluff (most of them, anyway). Susan — Great question. This touches on a few things most writers struggle with. Do you aim for the commercial (which you might not admire) or the artistic and respectable? I’d say you can mix it up. What about “This story will appeal to fans of Bestselling Author and Cult Favorite Author.” You’ve got a little bit of the commercial but a hint of the uniqueness of your project, by naming someone who’s off the beaten path, that should appeal to editors, who aren’t just looking for fluff (most of them, anyway).

]]> By: Susan James http://kidlit.com/2009/11/16/comparing-yourself-to-other-writers-in-a-query/comment-page-1/#comment-1950 Susan James Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:52:40 +0000 http://kidlit.com/?p=741#comment-1950 This is very close to a question I've been thinking of asking. So, I guess I'll do it here. In my query I have said that "I believe my novel will appeal to fans of..." I know this as fact since all my readers are fans of said books and have compared my book to it. Here's the rub- I am not myself a big fan of the books though they are immensely popular. And I have read several agent/editor comments which tend to agree with my own issue with the books. So, do I use it as a comparison? In my latest batch of queries I've been using a much lesser known author whose books I admire though none of my readers have read her stuff. This is very close to a question I’ve been thinking of asking. So, I guess I’ll do it here. In my query I have said that “I believe my novel will appeal to fans of…” I know this as fact since all my readers are fans of said books and have compared my book to it. Here’s the rub- I am not myself a big fan of the books though they are immensely popular. And I have read several agent/editor comments which tend to agree with my own issue with the books. So, do I use it as a comparison? In my latest batch of queries I’ve been using a much lesser known author whose books I admire though none of my readers have read her stuff.

]]> By: Mary http://kidlit.com/2009/11/16/comparing-yourself-to-other-writers-in-a-query/comment-page-1/#comment-1946 Mary Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:46:42 +0000 http://kidlit.com/?p=741#comment-1946 Lynn -- Very helpful, but not for the endorsements, I'd say. As a writer, I'd be much more interested in their feedback to me and their notes on how to improve my craft. It's always amazing what writers can learn from those further down the publishing path. You can put endorsements in the query but... as I said before, the only endorsement I care about is my own. :) My friend can love a movie that I hated... it won't really change my opinion of the movie. Karen -- That's great. I love it when savvy writers provide comp (comparative) titles. It shows they know where their book fits in the marketplace. Lynn — Very helpful, but not for the endorsements, I’d say. As a writer, I’d be much more interested in their feedback to me and their notes on how to improve my craft. It’s always amazing what writers can learn from those further down the publishing path. You can put endorsements in the query but… as I said before, the only endorsement I care about is my own. :) My friend can love a movie that I hated… it won’t really change my opinion of the movie.

Karen — That’s great. I love it when savvy writers provide comp (comparative) titles. It shows they know where their book fits in the marketplace.

]]> By: Karen Collum http://kidlit.com/2009/11/16/comparing-yourself-to-other-writers-in-a-query/comment-page-1/#comment-1945 Karen Collum Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:04:54 +0000 http://kidlit.com/?p=741#comment-1945 Mary, instead of comparing myself to a particular author, might it be better to compare myself to individual books? For example, I've just written a picture book for the 0-2 year old age group that I think is very similar in structure, form and audience to Mem Fox's "Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes" or Helen Oxbury's "Itsy-bitsy Babies". Now, I'm not saying I write like Mem, but I am saying that my book could sit alongside hers in terms of style. How would that sit with you in a query? Mary, instead of comparing myself to a particular author, might it be better to compare myself to individual books? For example, I’ve just written a picture book for the 0-2 year old age group that I think is very similar in structure, form and audience to Mem Fox’s “Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes” or Helen Oxbury’s “Itsy-bitsy Babies”. Now, I’m not saying I write like Mem, but I am saying that my book could sit alongside hers in terms of style. How would that sit with you in a query?

]]> By: Lynn Rush http://kidlit.com/2009/11/16/comparing-yourself-to-other-writers-in-a-query/comment-page-1/#comment-1942 Lynn Rush Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:28:29 +0000 http://kidlit.com/?p=741#comment-1942 Right on!! I'm wondering, before a writer is published/picked up by an agent, would it help to have a couple published authors read and endorse your writing? Right on!!

I’m wondering, before a writer is published/picked up by an agent, would it help to have a couple published authors read and endorse your writing?

]]> By: Mary http://kidlit.com/2009/11/16/comparing-yourself-to-other-writers-in-a-query/comment-page-1/#comment-1940 Mary Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:16:16 +0000 http://kidlit.com/?p=741#comment-1940 Brandi -- Personally, my own perception of a person's writing is most important. I like to make up my own mind. It also depends on who is doing the comparing. If your friends who don't really read a lot of YA think you're a great Stephenie Meyer comp, well, I don't know how much their thoughts will matter to an agent. If another (published) writer or publishing professional says the same, maybe I'll listen. At the end of the day, the writing itself is way more important, either way, than what it's compared to. Just really be wary of including sentences like "The kids I babysit..." or "My mom..." or "My husband really loves this book and thinks I'm the next Dan Brown" in a pitch. That means absolutely nothing to me unless the kids you babysit, your mom or your husband are editors who want to acquire your novel. :) Brandi — Personally, my own perception of a person’s writing is most important. I like to make up my own mind. It also depends on who is doing the comparing. If your friends who don’t really read a lot of YA think you’re a great Stephenie Meyer comp, well, I don’t know how much their thoughts will matter to an agent. If another (published) writer or publishing professional says the same, maybe I’ll listen. At the end of the day, the writing itself is way more important, either way, than what it’s compared to. Just really be wary of including sentences like “The kids I babysit…” or “My mom…” or “My husband really loves this book and thinks I’m the next Dan Brown” in a pitch. That means absolutely nothing to me unless the kids you babysit, your mom or your husband are editors who want to acquire your novel. :)

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