Comments on: What to Query With

By: fritz freiheit.com blog » Link dump

fritz freiheit.com blog » Link dump — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 19:18:03 +0000

[...] Kidlit.com · What to Query With (Writing,Query) [...]

By: Mary

Mary — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:59:55 +0000

Alice — I ran a query contest a few months ago that features good queries and my notes. It’s worth a look.

By: Alice Beesley

Alice Beesley — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:50:21 +0000

So what are some of the main things you see in a query or the first ten pages of a manuscript that might cause you to reject it, and what are the main things you look for in a query or the first ten pages of a manuscript that might make you ask for more. You mentioned voice, character, plotting, setting, and active language. Is there anything else or any specific examples, good or bad you could share? Thanks

By: Jen Steffen

Jen Steffen — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:40:21 +0000

Thank you for this blog. As a writer who has been writing for a while without querying, this is new advice for me. My question is how do know you’re not rejecting a good story if the author isn’t very good at the pitch?

I only say this because I entered the ABNA last year with an adult novel. I had never written a pitch before and worked hard on it. The pitch was not passed on. I was bothered only because I had put so much into the pitch and thought that it was pretty good (word limit for the contest is 300 words, so I know it wasn’t too long.) Anyway, the story is complete, and has gotten good feedback, so how would you suggest going about querying when it’s not necessarily the novel, but the pitch that needs work?

Incidentally, I entered my YA novel in your contest, and I apologize if my pitch sounds less that hook-ish. As I’ve said above, I need help when it comes to the query.

By: Rose

Rose — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 04:17:20 +0000

I can see how it would be hard to choose from a variety of picture books–of course you want to query your strongest, but at the same time, some of them might just cover non-overlapping territory. But still, a single, focused approach is better than divebombing. Even if they’re all good, it’s like giving a two-year-old too many presents at Christmas. They just can’t enjoy them when there are too many to look at.

On having multiple works available, though–I agree that what fails in one book is likely to be systematic (systemic?) of all your writing. However, that universality goes both ways–if you write a novel, then write a better one, you may well be equipped to go back to the first one and correct the failings you didn’t have the skills for initially. If an agent doesn’t care for one book, they might not care for any other ones, but that doesn’t mean that the ship is sunk with someone else, who might well like both.

By: Ruth

Ruth — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 04:14:23 +0000

Great post! I'm enjoying your blog--the information you share is very clear and to-the-point. Ruth Donnelly : : Readatouille

By: Celeste Ammirata

Celeste Ammirata — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 03:26:57 +0000

Thank you for this article. I am working on writing my querry letter now. I am thrilled to have found this wonerful site. I look forward to investigating every inch of it!

Celeste Ammirata

By: Brian Higginson

Brian Higginson — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 02:15:28 +0000

Possibly the most useful piece of advice I’ve read – and I’ve read loads of books, including the ones that hint that an agent is looking for promising authors to nurture. Not so. They are looking for books they can sell – to do anything else would be to do everyone a disservice. So, it’s back to the editing board for me – with gusto, not disappointment. I am getting better each time and it becomes easier to see what is not working. I’m a newcomer to kidlit so it will take me a while to digest all this wonderful FREE advice. Thanks, Mary.

By: Barbara Bayne

Barbara Bayne — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 01:47:07 +0000

Mary,
Thanks so much for the insider info you offer on your blog, it’s humorous and realistic at the same time. I would be interested to hear your thoughts on the future of e-books sometime.

By: Peta Jinnath Andersen

Peta Jinnath Andersen — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 22:31:04 +0000

Very useful information!

I wonder how this works for writers with projects spread across age groups and genres. If you have a picture book manuscript that lacks a strong character, will the YA manuscript also lack one? Picture books are generally harder–tiny word count, less time to develop a story–as compared to YA. Conversely, a writer with a great picture book voice may feel forced in YA.

Just curious.