If your goal is to become published, I can help you~
Although my clients write everything from Picture Books to Young Adult to Romance to Detective and every genre in between, they all have one thing in common. They've made the mental shift from "telling" to "selling" and switched into "sales" mode. This enabled them to create effective query letter submission packets (subject line, query letter, synopsis, and sample pages) that opened doors into the publishing world and launched their careers as authors.
Love it or hate it, if you want to become traditionally published, you gotta' learn to write a productive query as a first step. And, you must learn how to craft an email "subject" line that motivates the agent/acquisitions editor to click and open your query submission packet (query, synopsis, and sample pages)
The first three lines of your query letter, along with what you write on the email SUBJECT line have one purpose: to "hook" the interest of the agent/editor/publisher so they'll continue to read the entire query, then your synopsis and sample pages.
And yes, while it is true that you'll also have to write a one-page synopsis and a captivating manuscript first page, the query is where it begins.(Even if you eventually decide to self-publish your book, once you know how to write a slam-dunk query and synopsis, you'll have these sales tools to use in your marketing efforts.)
Although my clients write everything from Picture Books to Young Adult to Romance to Detective and every genre in between, they all have one thing in common. They've made the mental shift from "telling" to "selling" and switched into "sales" mode. This enabled them to create effective query letter submission packets (subject line, query letter, synopsis, and sample pages) that opened doors into the publishing world and launched their careers as authors.
Love it or hate it, if you want to become traditionally published, you gotta' learn to write a productive query as a first step. And, you must learn how to craft an email "subject" line that motivates the agent/acquisitions editor to click and open your query submission packet (query, synopsis, and sample pages)
The first three lines of your query letter, along with what you write on the email SUBJECT line have one purpose: to "hook" the interest of the agent/editor/publisher so they'll continue to read the entire query, then your synopsis and sample pages.
And yes, while it is true that you'll also have to write a one-page synopsis and a captivating manuscript first page, the query is where it begins.(Even if you eventually decide to self-publish your book, once you know how to write a slam-dunk query and synopsis, you'll have these sales tools to use in your marketing efforts.)
Option Three: First ten-page evaluation $pecial offer, valid until August 31~
CLICK HERE TO read about my manuscript first ten-page evaluation, (maximum of 1750 words) which has been expanded, for a limited time, to include (drum roll please) . . . ten pages of line-editing, and a 30-minute telephone consultation.
Special Offer (until August 31)~
My unique, first ten-page evaluation, (maximum of 1750 words) has been expanded, for a limited time, (until August 31) to include . . . drum roll please . . . line-editing and a 30-minute telephone consultation with me.
As usual, my critique includes insightful, written comments in re title, voice, characterization, plot, dialogue and structure--vital elements intended to "hook" your reader and motivate them to continue turning the page or scrolling down the screen.
However, until August 31, your ten-page evaluation also will include line-edits.These will point out writing mechanic challenges that most likely appear throughout your entire manuscript. I not only find these, but also offer suggestions how how to revise them.
PLUS, you'll receive a 30-minute phone consultation after you're reviewed my comments and suggestions.
WOOZER! Is this a good deal or what? Evaluation of ten-pages, line edits, then capped off with a 30-minute phone consultation with me.
Please use the contact box at the bottom of the other column to describe your project. Special offer ends August 31.
Fee: $125
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
My unique, first ten-page evaluation, (maximum of 1750 words) has been expanded, for a limited time, (until August 31) to include . . . drum roll please . . . line-editing and a 30-minute telephone consultation with me.
As usual, my critique includes insightful, written comments in re title, voice, characterization, plot, dialogue and structure--vital elements intended to "hook" your reader and motivate them to continue turning the page or scrolling down the screen.
However, until August 31, your ten-page evaluation also will include line-edits.These will point out writing mechanic challenges that most likely appear throughout your entire manuscript. I not only find these, but also offer suggestions how how to revise them.
PLUS, you'll receive a 30-minute phone consultation after you're reviewed my comments and suggestions.
WOOZER! Is this a good deal or what? Evaluation of ten-pages, line edits, then capped off with a 30-minute phone consultation with me.
Please use the contact box at the bottom of the other column to describe your project. Special offer ends August 31.
Fee: $125
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JUST FOR FUN
Query opening paragraphs with evaluation comments~
The following were written by contest winners and clients who had used my "Sales Pitch" workbook to write captivating query opening paragraphs for fairy tales. I've added a few critique comments.
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A child suffers ridicule because of his large ears and clumsiness. His mother is railroaded into prison, leaving him alone except for an unusual friend who becomes his protector. Everyone thinks he’s a clown, but he finds he has superpowers that might free his mother from jail.
- First sentence--who wants what and why. A kid with big ears suffers because of his physical challenges.
- Second sentence--what does he want? Protection and comfort from mom who is tossed into jail, leaving him alone, except for an unusual protector.
- Third Sentence--what happens? He discovers superpowers that may (notice how this isn't set in cement) free mom and keep others from taunting him.
Great use of powerful verbs: "suffers" and "railroaded." These quickly describe the situation. Suggest substituting "discovers unrecognized inner" in place of "he has." Whenever possible, substitute stronger words for weak ones like "has." Use of the word "might" leaves the resolution up in the air. Perfect ending for the query letter first paragraph
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Determined to cheer up her ailing grandma with a basket of goodies, a wide-eyed schoolgirl sets off through the treacherous woods to pay grandma a visit. When she encounters a suave ravenous rogue along the way, she discloses too much and inadvertently puts grandma’s life in peril, as well as her own. Alone and outmatched, Red must find a way to save her grandma and in the process, save herself.
My evaluation comments:
Interestingly written, although a bit heavy on the adjectives. Since the query first paragraph must be a "quick" read, extraneous descriptions (which are underlined) slow down the process.
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A bored girl chases a rabbit down its hole, thrusting herself into a bizarre world where she can manipulate her size by eating mushrooms and teacakes. In her pursuit of the elusive bunny, she encounters a mysterious cat with an enormous grin, a dormouse that tells nonsensical tales, and a queen with a penchant for beheadings. While testifying in court in a robbery case, she finds herself growing exponentially and is threatened with decapitation herself but quickly recognizes that due to her size, she's the one holding all the cards.
My evaluation comments:
Clever is great for query letter first paragraphs, although sometimes too clever becomes self-defeating, particularly if it slows down the reading.
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Big WOO-HOO to Kim, who won my query letter first paragraph contest and has taken a giant step forward. With my coaching, Kim re-worked her query over and over until we both had it memorized. Then, when she started out on the agent trail, Kim instantly received a request for a full manuscript submission. (More to come I'm sure!). Way to go Kim!
When I was a Time-Life editor and then later, as a publisher, I evaluated thousands of manu-
scripts and made "yes" or "no thank you" decisions.
Then, when I became an author, I shifted to the other side of the desk and submitted my work to editors and publishers who were making "yes" or "no thank you" decisions like I had done for years.
I worked my way through the publishing maze as an author and have been published six times.
I've also had a few flops along the way. Not succeeding is part of the creative process. (You learn from your mistRakes).
This past year, I stepped outside of the "traditional-publishing framework," to self publish a book. Whew!
This was not easy, despite a lifetime of experience in layout, design, typesetting, etc. If self-publishing is on your agenda, I can help you avoid some of the perils and pitfalls.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
scripts and made "yes" or "no thank you" decisions.
Then, when I became an author, I shifted to the other side of the desk and submitted my work to editors and publishers who were making "yes" or "no thank you" decisions like I had done for years.
I worked my way through the publishing maze as an author and have been published six times.
I've also had a few flops along the way. Not succeeding is part of the creative process. (You learn from your mistRakes).
This past year, I stepped outside of the "traditional-publishing framework," to self publish a book. Whew!
This was not easy, despite a lifetime of experience in layout, design, typesetting, etc. If self-publishing is on your agenda, I can help you avoid some of the perils and pitfalls.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CC letter:
fabulous agent looking for clients.
meet two success stories and learn how crafting their big three docs helped them become published aut hors.
clarify about rates....I've been asked to clarify about my consulting serivces. Yes, ased on time expended, but more import antly, on being sure you receive the assistance you need. on a draft/or revisio basis.
Next contest: write query with as few adjectives and adverbs as possible. Winner will be selected on basis of how few advs and adjs they have used as well as how effectively their query described their manuscript. I'll read all entries as if I were an agent just hope, hope, hoping to find the next best selling writer somewhere in my email box filled with queries or desk with overslowing slish pile.
Winner receives.
Eveybody who enters gains a huge benefit, practice in using powerful nouns and powerpacked verbs instead of the woosie adverbs and adjectives that are all to commonly found in query letters. If you need a list of "red flag" words to avoice, they're on xxxxxx (LINK)
Wriote as three problems that will keep you from getting published:
Give three principals that will help you get published: (thent turn into a video)
WRITE AS A PROBLEM. manuscript...write and edit and polish until it glows in the dark.
DECIDE YOU DON'T NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT AGENTS WANT AND How you can provide it. NEED. learn how to sh ift mindset from telling to selling so you can "sell" y our work and yourself and abilities to agent
IGNORE THE NEED TO understand how a query letter responds to the needs of the agent and if written properly, using your head, will motivate the agent reading to jump up and down and order pizza to celebrate having met a writer who can understands their need and probablyu has crafted a manuscript they can sell.
WRITE A FABULOUS QUERY LETTER AND A QUICK READ SYNOPSIS perfect your query and synopsis. Will eventually turn into text on back of book, or you can use this core explanation of what your book is about to create a pitch or elevator pitch when you run into an editor/agent/publisher at a writer's conference.
I can help you resolve all three of these issues.
Giving away two major tools to help you. One is a 35 pg workbook on defining and writing the sales pitch of your query letter. 2nd is kinda fun, 26 query letter mistakes to never ever make. Free. on my website.
That's it for now. Write on!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Might use these thoughts in new HOME page. from Writer's Digest tutorial sales page.
What really happens behind closed doors in agents' and publishers' offices? How do publishers decide whether or not to publish a book? This week's new and featured tutorial, Six Strategies for Beating the Odds & Landing a Book Deal, lifts the curtain on mainstream/commercial publishing houses--giving you an inside glimpse.
Discover the four biggest reasons why editors reject book proposals and learn six strategies for beating the odds. In this 36-minute tutorial video, you'll also learn:
fabulous agent looking for clients.
meet two success stories and learn how crafting their big three docs helped them become published aut hors.
clarify about rates....I've been asked to clarify about my consulting serivces. Yes, ased on time expended, but more import antly, on being sure you receive the assistance you need. on a draft/or revisio basis.
Next contest: write query with as few adjectives and adverbs as possible. Winner will be selected on basis of how few advs and adjs they have used as well as how effectively their query described their manuscript. I'll read all entries as if I were an agent just hope, hope, hoping to find the next best selling writer somewhere in my email box filled with queries or desk with overslowing slish pile.
Winner receives.
Eveybody who enters gains a huge benefit, practice in using powerful nouns and powerpacked verbs instead of the woosie adverbs and adjectives that are all to commonly found in query letters. If you need a list of "red flag" words to avoice, they're on xxxxxx (LINK)
Wriote as three problems that will keep you from getting published:
Give three principals that will help you get published: (thent turn into a video)
WRITE AS A PROBLEM. manuscript...write and edit and polish until it glows in the dark.
DECIDE YOU DON'T NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT AGENTS WANT AND How you can provide it. NEED. learn how to sh ift mindset from telling to selling so you can "sell" y our work and yourself and abilities to agent
IGNORE THE NEED TO understand how a query letter responds to the needs of the agent and if written properly, using your head, will motivate the agent reading to jump up and down and order pizza to celebrate having met a writer who can understands their need and probablyu has crafted a manuscript they can sell.
WRITE A FABULOUS QUERY LETTER AND A QUICK READ SYNOPSIS perfect your query and synopsis. Will eventually turn into text on back of book, or you can use this core explanation of what your book is about to create a pitch or elevator pitch when you run into an editor/agent/publisher at a writer's conference.
I can help you resolve all three of these issues.
Giving away two major tools to help you. One is a 35 pg workbook on defining and writing the sales pitch of your query letter. 2nd is kinda fun, 26 query letter mistakes to never ever make. Free. on my website.
That's it for now. Write on!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Might use these thoughts in new HOME page. from Writer's Digest tutorial sales page.
What really happens behind closed doors in agents' and publishers' offices? How do publishers decide whether or not to publish a book? This week's new and featured tutorial, Six Strategies for Beating the Odds & Landing a Book Deal, lifts the curtain on mainstream/commercial publishing houses--giving you an inside glimpse.
Discover the four biggest reasons why editors reject book proposals and learn six strategies for beating the odds. In this 36-minute tutorial video, you'll also learn:
- How to develop meaningful connections with agents and editors who can impact your career
- How to write a winning book proposal for nonfiction projects (an absolute must for a traditional book deal)
- How to build a platform (and why you need one)--yes, you need a platform before your book is complete
- How to use self-publishing as a strategy for getting a book deal
- How to navigate the constantly changing twists and turns of today's changing book business--and get that book deal in an increasingly competitive environment!
