tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831433709810155834.post3457890171403282919..comments2024-01-05T15:42:46.899-05:00Comments on Katie O'Sullivan ~ Read, Write, Repeat: Query-Go-Round, Round 2Katie O'Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17295418503546522882noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831433709810155834.post-47238065356098725382011-05-31T09:35:49.955-04:002011-05-31T09:35:49.955-04:00Hi Katie! I think this is a strong query letter, t...Hi Katie! I think this is a strong query letter, too. But I would also agree that Shea's goal needs to come through a little stronger. I like how you have introduced the conflict in the third paragraph. <br />I am struggling with the query process, as well. I have been thinking of starting a day on my blog where we can critique each others' query letters. I have found getting feedback from others to be pretty helpful. Right now, I have only a few queries out as I have learned to be far more selective these days. <br />Good luck with the process. Your story sounds like a great read!Susan Oloierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07311938400999953443noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831433709810155834.post-28563363008846918222011-05-30T11:25:45.423-04:002011-05-30T11:25:45.423-04:00Ugh! The query process is arduous. There are so ma...Ugh! The query process is arduous. There are so many "do this" and "don't do that" bits of info out there. <br /><br />Some time ago Writer's Digest listed a number of query letters along with commentary from the agent who ultimately responded to it. It varied so much from agent to agent that I came away scratching my head. One agent would say they loved a particular query because it specified such-and-so; a different agent would say they loved another query because it didn't specify the very same such-and-so that attracted the first agent to the earlier query. It left me thinking that while we should certainly follow guidelines, in the end you have to go with your gut and say what you want to say. I've read comments by other agents who say they never read the query letter at all, but jump straight to the sample chapters or synopsis! Yet another said that when she reads queries she looks for "voice" rather than specific adherence to query guidelines. Confused yet? Yeah. . .me, too.<br /><br />I think if you try to follow all the do/don't rules you'll drive yourself crazy. Follow the guidelines that make sense to you while imparting the information the way you think is best suited to your voice and work; and then give it your best shot. Good luck!Lisa Ricard Clarohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05048410207952052295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831433709810155834.post-90835197962925494732011-05-30T04:01:39.904-04:002011-05-30T04:01:39.904-04:00HI Katie! I think it reads pretty darn good! Just ...HI Katie! I think it reads pretty darn good! Just to make sure tho... you've stated what your MC's goal is and what's at stake for him in tryingto attain it? You might want to make that a little clearer. Love the premise tho... sounds like a fun read!<br />I'm just about to re-enter the query fray again too. I'm being very selective this time. I've tried mass queries before and that just means mass rejections. Part of it is a numbers game ... but the real work is in making the story as good as it can be. If we put as much work into studying the craft and revising our stories as we do in mass queries, then finding the "dream" agent will be easier in the long run. My two cents anyway. :)PK HREZOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11650153097981426833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831433709810155834.post-49164995389570777122011-05-29T09:54:25.988-04:002011-05-29T09:54:25.988-04:00I am intrigued by your novel and wonder whether i...I am intrigued by your novel and wonder whether if your MC is half merperson would water have some strange, inexplicable allure for him? Great query letter and I like the idea of choosing your agent like choosing a date! :O)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831433709810155834.post-51235871571570083092011-05-29T09:20:21.238-04:002011-05-29T09:20:21.238-04:00Hi Katie - I thought I'd pop over to your love...Hi Katie - I thought I'd pop over to your lovely blog after you left a message on mine. Great to 'meet' you, especially in this mad merry-go-round of writing and submitting!Rosemary Gemmellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09311840205603508422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831433709810155834.post-39270889157711034942011-05-27T15:04:22.437-04:002011-05-27T15:04:22.437-04:00I'm currently sending out queries for a chick ...I'm currently sending out queries for a chick lit novel I've been working on. It's very unique so I know that the requests I have gotten really enjoyed my voice. That being said I'm still waiting to find the one.<br /><br />It was a lot of work and I had to tell myself I didn't suck a lot of times. While I found query tracker very helpful it also could do the opposite and make me feel defeated. <br /><br />That being said I'm currently writing another story that will make it's way to query kingdom very soon!<br /><br />BETS OF LUCK! I like your query!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03667521490706435608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831433709810155834.post-59771821221406782632011-05-27T09:45:28.922-04:002011-05-27T09:45:28.922-04:00Hey, I like your query! I hope you get lots of req...Hey, I like your query! I hope you get lots of requests. It sounds like a really great novel.<br />:)Lydia Kanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00484415427764822386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831433709810155834.post-16289556395700085862011-05-26T19:01:40.994-04:002011-05-26T19:01:40.994-04:00I think this looks great, but I am the farthest th...I think this looks great, but I am the farthest thing from an expert on query writing. I am still learning the ropes, and find it all overwhelming. Thanks for sharing these links, I wasn't aware of these sites and am anxious to check them out. More research!! <br /><br />I love the analogy to dating, so true!Julie Flandershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05003737491313673214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831433709810155834.post-33020118632959155932011-05-26T14:01:41.431-04:002011-05-26T14:01:41.431-04:00I think that looks good, but will you still have r...I think that looks good, but will you still have room for the last three paragraphs that need to be in the query? 'Course most agents now take things by email only so you're not quite so restricted as if you query by snail mail.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.com