Me rite bok. Yew reed.
Samuel's Girl is once more fit to send out so agents beware - Dume is on the prowl!
The query letter didn't work too well last time so that needs a revamp too. Formality is essential in a query. It's a business letter, as Nathan Bransford points out. I haven't sent a query to his office yet but he's on the list. The only reasons he's not high up the list are 1) he doesn't specifically say he's interested in this kind of book, although he doesn't specifically say he's not and 2) if possible, I'd like to sign with a UK agent so I can send Stumpy round to discuss money over tea and knives.
Another thing that's essential in a query letter is the use of English. Correct grammar, correct spelling and not so much as a comma out of place. If it's a struggle to read the query, who's going to attempt the manuscript?
The query is the showcase for the novel. It's the first example of your writing an agent or publisher sees. Screw it up and they stop there. So does your chance of publication.
Now I'd better go and do something about it.
Comments
Kevin, I didn't know you had a blog! I guess you didn't say anything before because of the unfortunate incident with your booze cabinet, lol.
Thanks for coming out of the closet and letting us know. :-) Good luck with the query!
Posted by: angela | March 26, 2008 01:37 AM
Hmm... you're not the first to raid that drinks cabinet, you know.
I'm going to have to fit a stronger lock. The fumes from inside corroded the last one.
Posted by: Dr. Dume | March 27, 2008 08:13 PM