Do you know what, this channel is different class. Straight to the point, everything explained well, a very likeable host, good tips and tricks with honest advice and criticism. Thanks for blessing us with this channel
"We love cats in a query"--that's good to hear! In a writing class I recently took, we wrote sample queries, and for my personal bit I wrote "I spend most of my spare time wrangling my five cats, with varying degrees of success." My instructor seemed to like it, but I do wonder if I should delete the "five" before I actually query anything. Some people look at me askance when they find out how many cats I have. I say, the more cats, the more joy. (As long as you're not hoarding and all your cats are happy and healthy etc.)
Such great tips! I often work with writers who are super stressed about their query bios and I totally agree with your perspective. Personally, I love the simple, straightforward approach-no need to overthink it!
thanks for the advice! (as for the religieuse, the g is like a "zh" sound, followed by the i as a really short "ee" to lead into the eu which is the frenchest "euh" you can think of, and the s as a soft "z")
Janet Reid did a little contest a year or two ago where she had her blog readers submit bios. Her feedback was super helpful and all the different examples really illustrate what works and what doesn't.
Thanks for all the examples! That's the best way I've found to learn to write queries. I've googled a bunch of successful ones and after reading a bunch of them you start to see the patterns
Your videos are so helpful! Can you do one about getting writing credentials as a new/unpublished author? You touch on it here but I'd love a whole video about it
Thanks for changing your pronunciation of "angst" 😊 I think it sounds a lot better now! I noticed that the way you said it previously was technically closer to the original German word (native speaker here), did you pronounce it that way on purpose? I never thought of doing that, I just started saying "ängst" (as I'd write it in German) And thanks for the great video btw! 😍 love your content :)
I finished my first draft 2 weeks ago and I am heading into self-editing and changes soon. After that, I would like to start the CP and Beta stuff, but querying is already on my mind as a next step. I am in this weird place that I am unsure how to even go about such things, how to build up social presence, etc. Thanks for all the help and tutorials :D PS: I love your eye makeup thingy that I don't know the name of, it suits you well and I can't imagine you without it.
LordFren wow that’s great!! I’m also writing YA fantasy! The one I’m doing self edits on is going to be a series and it’s dark fantasy with vampires, and a book I’m currently drafting is an adult supernatural romance tragedy. I’ve also got several other YA fantasy book ideas I’ve been developing, one about a community of hippy witches and another about a “coven” where the witches aren’t all they seem to be.
Will it hurt my querying chances if I'm trying to debut with a first book in a series (definitely not a stand-alone)? I don't want to lie and say it has stand-alone potential, but I also don't want to hinder myself where possible. Should I just not mention that in the query, or do agents not mind seeing pitches for first-in-a-series books?
Sometimes it can actually help! If a publisher or agent believes the story has potential to become a series, they have an opportunity to sell more books. It's often worth mentioning the series potential, but don't describe the subsequent books. Hope this helps!
I never think about this but I guess yea...it's something to maaaybe worry about but the work should stand as the meat of the query. But it's good to see these examples.
Hey quick question. Ive been querying and the response ive been getting is loved the premise but cant relate to the characters. Is this a subjective thing or is there something I need to fix? I know agents and beta readers are different and my betas have told me they love the voice opening tone etc but.so.far agents no. How do you fix something like this? or is it fixable at all?
Question: does being an active Authortuber count at all? I'm never going to be as big as you or any of the big ones, but I am very much involved in here. Does that count? I'm not sure.
Definitely! I would mention it for sure. You can say something about having a channel and being active in the writing community on YT for X years, or you could mention specific things you do like live streaming, hosting discussions, etc.
Question: I've taken every writing (and culinary - I write romances about chefs) MasterClass over 4 years and am currently an Honor Student there and have recently been Student of the Month. Is that something to add to a bio or does that not hold any weight? My only writing credits include multiple short stories in Chicken Soup for the Soul and poetry published in college journals years ago, and I tossed in a tidbit about starting a pie-themed food truck in 2021.
In my query should i mention being published in a province wide anthology collection even though it was during early-mid high school? I'm just worried since it was high school that it's irrelevant to mention. Thanks so much, loved this video!
Here's a question: I minored in Writing, but my degree is in History, and my book is not historical. Can I still put that in a bio, or not because my degree isn't relevant?
I've seen on some agents' websites that they love hearing from "under represented voices". In this case, it can help to explain a little about your background, as long as you don't go overboard. Hope this helps!
Do you know what, this channel is different class. Straight to the point, everything explained well, a very likeable host, good tips and tricks with honest advice and criticism. Thanks for blessing us with this channel
I came here in 3 seconds. Why am I so proud of myself?
You came prematurely.
"We love cats in a query"--that's good to hear! In a writing class I recently took, we wrote sample queries, and for my personal bit I wrote "I spend most of my spare time wrangling my five cats, with varying degrees of success." My instructor seemed to like it, but I do wonder if I should delete the "five" before I actually query anything. Some people look at me askance when they find out how many cats I have. I say, the more cats, the more joy. (As long as you're not hoarding and all your cats are happy and healthy etc.)
I think "five" gives personality
Such great tips! I often work with writers who are super stressed about their query bios and I totally agree with your perspective. Personally, I love the simple, straightforward approach-no need to overthink it!
This is the video I've been waiting for. Bios are the bane of my existence.
thanks for the advice!
(as for the religieuse, the g is like a "zh" sound, followed by the i as a really short "ee" to lead into the eu which is the frenchest "euh" you can think of, and the s as a soft "z")
Janet Reid did a little contest a year or two ago where she had her blog readers submit bios. Her feedback was super helpful and all the different examples really illustrate what works and what doesn't.
Thanks for all the examples! That's the best way I've found to learn to write queries. I've googled a bunch of successful ones and after reading a bunch of them you start to see the patterns
Thank you! Not only did you calm my fears about credentials but I have a clear idea of what I will put in my first query! You are my guiding light. :)
I would've been here sooner, but I was at work, so I just saved the notification. Lunch break tune- in!
Here she goes, reading my mind again! Hmm, could Pitch Wars be coming up??
Thanks!!
Thanks for this, Alexa! This kind of thing can be so intimidating and I think you did a great job of demystifying things (as per usual).
Thank you for including names of literary agents. Your videos are great and you look wonderful.
Thanks for mentioning my little bio Alexa!! ❤️
Thanks for mentioning my bio! I love your videos and was tickled to hear my name mentioned. 🥰
this is exactly what i needed!! thank you!!
Thank you! That’s the thing about the query that was worrying me the most as I have basically nothing in the field to put there.
This is so helpful, thank you thank you thank you!!!! 😃🙌🏽
Your videos are so helpful! Can you do one about getting writing credentials as a new/unpublished author? You touch on it here but I'd love a whole video about it
Thanks for changing your pronunciation of "angst" 😊 I think it sounds a lot better now!
I noticed that the way you said it previously was technically closer to the original German word (native speaker here), did you pronounce it that way on purpose? I never thought of doing that, I just started saying "ängst" (as I'd write it in German)
And thanks for the great video btw! 😍 love your content :)
I finished my first draft 2 weeks ago and I am heading into self-editing and changes soon. After that, I would like to start the CP and Beta stuff, but querying is already on my mind as a next step. I am in this weird place that I am unsure how to even go about such things, how to build up social presence, etc.
Thanks for all the help and tutorials :D
PS: I love your eye makeup thingy that I don't know the name of, it suits you well and I can't imagine you without it.
I’m also in this position - I’m doing my self edits and then I’ll need CP’s and Betas. What do you write?
@@CharlieHorse4363 YA Fantasy... But next book is most likely sci-fi :D So variety fiction :D
LordFren wow that’s great!! I’m also writing YA fantasy! The one I’m doing self edits on is going to be a series and it’s dark fantasy with vampires, and a book I’m currently drafting is an adult supernatural romance tragedy. I’ve also got several other YA fantasy book ideas I’ve been developing, one about a community of hippy witches and another about a “coven” where the witches aren’t all they seem to be.
LordFren when we both get to the point of being ready for CP’s, do you want to exchange pages?
@@CharlieHorse4363 Yeah, I think I would like that :) I have a lot to work on before that, but it would be nice. :)
Will it hurt my querying chances if I'm trying to debut with a first book in a series (definitely not a stand-alone)? I don't want to lie and say it has stand-alone potential, but I also don't want to hinder myself where possible. Should I just not mention that in the query, or do agents not mind seeing pitches for first-in-a-series books?
Sometimes it can actually help! If a publisher or agent believes the story has potential to become a series, they have an opportunity to sell more books. It's often worth mentioning the series potential, but don't describe the subsequent books. Hope this helps!
@@21stCenturyWriter Thanks for the input! Good to know that I shouldn't talk about the content of the rest of the series.
@@midnightlemon4255 Unless they ask, of course. But generally they'll only want to hear about the first one. Good luck! :)
*adds rolling library ladder to wishlist*
I never think about this but I guess yea...it's something to maaaybe worry about but the work should stand as the meat of the query. But it's good to see these examples.
I didn't know before now that Emily Theriault is from the same place as me. And my name is also Emily. My competition!!
Thank you Alexa! Can you also talk about successful Twitter pitches and give some tips and tricks?
I was wondering when you'll be able to post about the stories we send you? Love lots❤️❤️
I now want to read whatever Mary Katherine Pagano authors because she likes French music. I'm sold.
Why are there always cats in author bios? Is it code for something I should know about?
Hey quick question. Ive been querying and the response ive been getting is loved the premise but cant relate to the characters. Is this a subjective thing or is there something I need to fix? I know agents and beta readers are different and my betas have told me they love the voice opening tone etc but.so.far agents no. How do you fix something like this? or is it fixable at all?
Question: does being an active Authortuber count at all? I'm never going to be as big as you or any of the big ones, but I am very much involved in here. Does that count? I'm not sure.
Definitely! I would mention it for sure. You can say something about having a channel and being active in the writing community on YT for X years, or you could mention specific things you do like live streaming, hosting discussions, etc.
@@AlexaDonne thanks a lot! I'll add this to my query if I query again in the future.
Question: I've taken every writing (and culinary - I write romances about chefs) MasterClass over 4 years and am currently an Honor Student there and have recently been Student of the Month. Is that something to add to a bio or does that not hold any weight? My only writing credits include multiple short stories in Chicken Soup for the Soul and poetry published in college journals years ago, and I tossed in a tidbit about starting a pie-themed food truck in 2021.
In my query should i mention being published in a province wide anthology collection even though it was during early-mid high school? I'm just worried since it was high school that it's irrelevant to mention. Thanks so much, loved this video!
Getting to the point where if I make it, I'll have to dedicate the whole book to you 😂
Can we just start calling her Mother Alexa now??
Is it worth mentioning scientific publications? E.g.: When I’m not writing fiction, I’m writing science papers.
should/can I mention my degree if its not writing related? (btw very helpful video, thank you for making it)
You totally can! Anything that gives them a sense of your personality/interests is fine, even if it's not writing related.
@@AlexaDonne thank you!!
6 agent rejections so far... Just gotta keep trying til all of them reject me lol
Here's a question: I minored in Writing, but my degree is in History, and my book is not historical. Can I still put that in a bio, or not because my degree isn't relevant?
I would include it because it shows the kind of things you're interested in!
@@AlexaDonne Thank you!
Funny thing is that Naz is a female name in Turkey, where I'm from.
If you are a writer who is a minority is it helpful to put that in your bio or does that not really help to sway opinions in your favor?
I've seen on some agents' websites that they love hearing from "under represented voices". In this case, it can help to explain a little about your background, as long as you don't go overboard. Hope this helps!
21st Century Writer it does, thank you!
Depends on the publisher and what you mean by minority. It's governed by politically-correct trends.
B. T. Hmm, ok thank you!