I wish this advice came sooner lol (but I'm glad I learned what I did and now can fix my faith in my book). I had a "friend" who said that what agents want to see most in queries are marketability and plot. She said the characters don't matter or their arcs because they are basically looking for the next big seller and to market it as so in a query (cringy right?). It always felt off with me but since she was published (she didn't have an agent, she went through a small local boutique as I found out later and after the fact that she didn't have an agent) so I only sent out 2- 4 queries like that (which obviously got rejected) before I lost my faith in my book and the industry because it felt wrong to try to pitch a book like the next harry potter when it's not. Lol, it's better now, working on cleaning it up after visiting it years later and with this, it makes so much more sense that I wish my brain years ago had thought about (though I was sixteen at the time trying to get published). I'm hoping to finally work on a concrete query once I'm done polishing up the cliches that I thought were needed that I hated (because it didn't work and it was played off like every cliche of it's kind and nothing new) but was told it would make the book sell. This channel has helped me for the past year and a half on returning back to a project I thought was lost because it wasn't the "next harry potter" and "wouldn't sell if it weren't". This video hit home to me, there aren't many channels that are dedicated to traditional publishing and how the industry works
The fact that you are character driven focused made me instantly subscribe to your UA-cam channel even though I always got adds for it, but then my professor showed us one of your query videos and I'm like, "She knows what she's talking about."
Omg your user name Booke vs Movies makes me believe your a judge of books and movies. :D I'm hoping all my work on novels will turn into movies and tv shows.
Could you do a video on finding successful comps for your query? I'd be interested to see what your recommended process for this is if the writer was in fact inspired by a successful megabook. Thank you for putting the excellent video together. :)
Your channel is something I never knew I needed. I'm not a novel writer in any way, but not only do you make me want to write, but the tips you give are legit for simply creating a story for any other media, and selling that story. I'm having a blast. Much kudos to you 💜
I was baffled at first by how much I've heard from you and others warning people to make sure they don't insult the agent or their past clients, thinking "Who would do that in the first place?" Then I remembered the stereotype that writers hold, as Bert Kreischer once said "With that liberal arts confidence." I haven't experienced this yet personally but it reminds me to keep checking myself to remain humble. Thanks for the great advice! I'm hoping to take as much of it as I can and use it when I submit my first book soon!
OMG thank you!!! No joke, I have to admit... I was literally trying to type out the query letter you read out loud in a previous video just so that I could get the formatting down for my own and this is SO much easier and more helpful!!! Lol thank you so very much! I am so appreciative for all your work making these videos!!
1 POV/character queries are best, but in some cases you can highlight two POVs... max though. Not more. My personal preference is query focuses on the main main character and the 2nd POV is mentioned as part of the conflict, then when you write your book details paragraph you say "TITLE is a YA fantasy complete at XXXXX words, told from the perspectives of both Character A and Character B."
Hi Alexa! If I have two projects completed (both YA) should I mention that in my query or wait until someone is interested in repping? I'm going to query one project at a time just to keep everything organized. Thank you :)
I wish I had this advice years ago. I would love to know how you found your comp letters so I can attempt to make my first query letter. Really would love a to-do list of steps to proceed through to navigate this process. Your videos are great! Please keep them coming.
I used to be the editor on the other end of the query process. My advice is to read the query out loud-- VERY SLOOOWWLLY. If it takes more than 30 seconds to read, it's probably too long. There is a reason why the classic advertisement length was always 30 seconds. A friend who used to work in Marketing told me that people respond best to 10 seconds (or less) of "get their attention" and 20 seconds of "sale pitch." Your "hook" is your first 10 seconds, and the "book and cook" are your remaining 20 seconds. Always sound professional. Don't say anything about how other people have said that you can't write, that you don't know if your writing is any good, or that you've always wanted to be a writer. (FYI: Everyone who came across my desk had always wanted to be a writer.) Also, don't tell the editor how fantastic and amazing your book is. That is for them to decide. Stick to the facts, leave all opinions to them. Your story summary is not a long paragraph. Distill your story down to the most basic elements. For example: "Boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy embarks on a journey to find her again." Don't describe every step on his long journey, just refer to it. And Alexa is SOOO correct about going along with the submission guidelines. Don't try to outsmart the editor. They won't waste their time reading a page of your work if you didn't read a few sentences of their guidelines. I always say, if the guidelines tell you to send only chapter five on pink paper in 26pt. Comic Sans font, then do exactly that. Don't send your entire manuscript on yellow paper in Arial 12pt. Some of the guidelines might seem silly or too much work. But we have our reasons for whatever we ask. And if you think following those few instructions is too much work, then wait until you get to make your first round of edits! And lastly... If you're sending it through the post office and not electronically, don't forget to make sure your SASE has the proper postage for your returning manuscript. Don't blame the editor for throwing it away if you didn't pay for them to mail it back.
Thanks for sharing your input! Super helpful for a dreamer writer like me heh. My question is... if I'm a debut author and querying for the first book to my trilogy/series, is it important to write that in the query? Or is it assumed that the story would have multiple books?
Follow the submission guidelines. Don't poop on the genre or lead clients. Don't insult the agent. Wow. It just amazes me that these things have to be said. Although, I was an HR Manager for years and have seen similar things in resumes and interviews. (Don't show up to the interview and talk about how much you hate the company) Yikes. Anyway, great video as always.
Hi Alexa, thank you so much for your videos they are extremely helpful! Do you have any tips for how to use Social Media as an author? Sorry if you've already made a video on this! :)
If an agent's submission guidelines specify a number of pages, will the guidelines also state what word count or text formatting that corresponds to, or is there a standard that is to be assumed unless the guidelines specifically say otherwise?
A lot of agents say to put the info paragraph (genre, word count, comps) first. What are your thoughts on that? Which one appears to be the "surer" format?
It's a preference agents are free to express, but the vast vast majority of querying advice I've seen over the years has given the format I shared. Neither is wrong. I just personally think it's stronger to hit them with a really great hook and the meat of your book before you give them dry stuff like title, genre, word count. There are exceptions if your pitch/comps/etc. are REALLY STRONG and need to get in front of their face first. I lead with my short pitch, title, word count for Jane Eyre in space, but not for other books.
I know you said don't compare to big name books, but does that include the authors as well? Like if I were to say, "This will appeal to fans of Leigh Bardugo." Or "this would appeal to fans of the dynamic cast of Leigh Bardugo's Six of Crows." Or is that still a no go?
Well, if a book one has been published already, typically that means the first publication rights are gone. Traditional publishers won't be interested in a sequel to something published elsewhere, with only a few exceptions. So you'd usually not be querying a sequel? Author & review quotes are called blurbs and your publisher works with you to get those. You don't need them for queries.
How bland should/ can your bio be? I used to have one that was straight forward but people told me it was boring and too much like everyone else so I tried to make it more interesting. Now I'm not sure. Seems like I've been doing everything else right though. 🙂
the bio is generally meant to show your credibilities (maybe you've published a short story). imo, a lot of writers' lives are pretty boring, so i'm sure boringness is fine as long as it's not totally awful ('I graduated high school.')
Alexa -- what about the first three chapters? Do they need to be anything more than just the "big first three?" What should they contain to give an effective preview into the book's nature? I think of the "big first three" as being like a pop-up boutique that advertises a new line of clothing. What do you think? I'd love to hear your analysis of this industry hurdle. :)
I have a prologue, epilogue, and appendix in my book. Should I include these in the word count of my query? If so, do I give each as an individual? Or just say complete at the total word count for all?
I know this probably won't get a response but I was wondering what I should use for comps if I don't really read a lot of books? I'm more into writing than reading. Do you REALLY need comps in a query?
Thanks for your advice Alexa! I was wondering if it's acceptable and encouraged to describe the tone of your novel and if so, where to do it in the letter? For example, my current query letter doesn't really convey that the tone is funny and satirical. And I feel strange calling it funny myself. But I worry agents will get the wrong impression from the query even though I am following the character, conflict, stakes format.
So you make it clear we shouldn't talk too in-depth about our inspiration for the book, but do you think it's a good idea to mention the book is OwnVoice in the query? I know that's a selling point to a lot of agents, particularly in YA.
Yes, that is fine as one line either in the book info paragraph or the bio paragraph. But be careful not to go on and on, and also to be very clear about what it is ownvoices for. Like, you can't have, say, a Native American inspired fantasy with a bi protagonist and just say "ownvoices"... if you're bi, but not Native American, it's misleading. Both very valid identities! But, uh, when someone see's "ownvoices" attached to a Native American story, they expect you to be Native American. Just as an example. You can also just say "this story was inspired by my experiences as a [insert intersections]."
Queries are currently my kryptonite. I am either too detailed or it's not pitchy enough. I can't seem to find the middle ground. It's so freaking hard.
Very helpful! Question: How many agents should I query at once? I can't possibly wait for each one's response since it can take weeks so I was wondering should I go low like 3 agents at once and wait for their response or big like 10 agents?
Back cover copy exercise: Grab a book. Type up the back cover copy word for word. Replace things like the setting name w/ YOUR setting name, character name w/ YOUR character name, all the basic 1-word things. Now, fix what's not true. (e.g., Arthur isn't going to Camelot because the Empire burned his uncle's moisture farm; he's going to Camelot to be the King. Wilbur hasn't been living in a cupboard under the stairs; he's been living on Mr. Zuckerman's farm.) Do this with at least 3 more books in different genres, because all genres have different writing styles, and back cover copies can vary radically in length and reveal different information.
Should I include in the bio paragraph that I've been writing fanfiction for years? Or does that tend to put the literary agents off? What if writing fanfiction was and is a major part of my writing career? For example, English isn't my first language and without reading and writing fanfic, I would never have properly learned English and studied it at uni, so writing fanfiction feels so important to me, but I guess the bio paragraph could easily go without mentioning it. Could it go without mentioning that English isn't my first language though? Or is that vital for the literary agent? Or do you think they'd just reject my book once they learned I wasn't a native speaker? Sorry for so many questions!! And thanks so much for such an informative video!!
Personally I wouldn't include any mention of fanfic unless you're mega-successful and will be leveraging that platform for a traditional book deal (like: using the same name, actively appealing to your fanbase, and did not write NC-17 stuff). ie: if you're Cassie Clare (I'm old), yes, but otherwise, no. It will turn off as many agents as it will appeal to.
I am a Dutch writer and I'm writing my book in English. When I send in my query, should I mention that English is my second language, or not? Though I do have a Cambridge English degree, it does not directly relate to my writing... I don't want to ''scare'' them off by telling them I live in another country.
Please rate my query letter: Dear [REJECTING AGENT], My character wants one thing: to get published. He's been writing to the point where his fingers are aching and his eyesight isn't doing so hot either. At least he has his depression to take his mind off of those suicidal thoughts. That is, until an amazing event changes all of that. But what? And who knew?! I'm seeking representation for my fourth novel, WE'RE SORRY, BUT..., a funny, gut-wrenching, horrifying, partially-completed (about 20 pages) light romantic comedy, with lots of gore, about a writer who wants one thing: to get published. He's been writing to the point where his fingers are aching and his eyesight isn't doing so hot either. It ain't bogged down by no heavy plot and it don't make the reader hafta think or nothing like that. My cousin Bubba helped me to get it wrote more gooder. For comparisons, you can be the judge of that. To me, it's sort of a cross between Gone with the Wind and The Terminator. [REJECTING AGENT], I appreciate you looking it over. You can best contact me between 3:37 P.M. and 3:39 P.M. on Thursdays. I won't accept any offer until I hear what a few other agents have to say. Sincerely, Alphonso P. Whickenwacker
I would recommend including an intro paragraph and to create a longer synopsis (and remove rhetorical questions as per Alexa's suggestions). I would also edit for casual language so that you present yourself more professionally.
A problem I've faced, re: format - What should you do if the submission guidelines tell you to double-space the writing sample in the email, but Gmail doesn't allow you to double-space?
Okay, but this formula does not work with some styles of novel (particularly in scifi and fantasy). I wouldn't describe Rendezvous with Rama or Jurassic Park as character based. Or, what if you have something like ASOIF where there really are no protagonist(s), but multiple POVs? If pitch was the character arc in these novels, they wouldn't have gotten published. How does one do a pitch for these alternative styles of story telling?
I wrote a novel of 88,000 words, it was tough but a wonderful experience, but as I write my query letters my palms are sweating! They never sweat writing my novel! Why is it so hard, especially for agents request only a query letter and no samples?
Question! When comparing your book to other titles, can they only be books? Because I would say my current novel is Fallout New Vegas meets The Troop by Nick Cutter. But if comparing it to a video game doesn't work then I'll reconsider.
You can do both! But I recommend if you have a set of comps that aren't books that you also have something about books. So saying something like "will appeal to fans of Holly Black and Susan Dennard" (or whatever) in addition to your X meets Y.
I really like my query letter but I found a spelling mistake in one of my sample chapters which makes me fear I possibly have more. Will literary agents hold this against me?
...you know I have seen some really bad back cover copies in my time, hah. Three in particular stick out--one where the thing presented as if it was the inciting incident actually happens three-quarters of the way through the book (and this is the best of the lot), one where the plot described sure is a plot but it sure as hell isn't the plot of the book in question (they didn't even get the main character's name right!), and one where I think the back cover copy as written might be fine for the series as a whole, but for the first book it spoiled an event that happens literally on the last page (and then kept going, into events further on in the timeline than anything in the book in question). All of these I think I would have enjoyed a lot more had I not been confused and misled by the back cover copies so uh I guess the moral of the story is don't do that to your prospective agents.
Were these on traditionally published books? I'm curious. Not that trad pub can't misstep, but usually they know what they're doing. It's actually the editors who write that copy, not the authors, fun fact. They do vary, in that some editors are REALLY talented at that copy. Mileage varies!
@@AlexaDonne yeah, traditionally published, all of them, and all of them from established authors--the first two are actually from the same author, in fact, albeit at least a decade (I think, haven't actually checked, but certainly more than eight years) apart.
Question: when potential agents ask for x amount of pages is it based on your writer processor pages (in my case I use Microsoft word) or “printed pages” bc I know those word counts are VERY different.
Which is the best software for writing.I’m a newbie and currently use google docs but it’s sometimes frustrating.I wouldn’t want to pay for Word if I didn’t have to
I use Scrivener, which is software for writers. It's my personal favorite. I have videos on it if you're curious. I do also use Microsoft Word, because once you sell a book, you will have to use Word for things like copy edits, because that is what publishers use. But you don't have to get Word now if you don't want to.
question about comps. I hem and haw about this all the time. What if I'm writing something that I describe as say, "War of the Worlds" meets "Lord of the Rings". Both classics, but combined i think it suitably describes...something, a unique flavor. That's just an example but I tend to think and get inspired by "some classic" meets "something at the complete other end of the spectrum".
The problem is, comps can't just be two disparate things thrown together--they should give me a VERY clear sense of what the book is. So I'll admit I'm a bit confused: your book is big fantasy world with an alien invasion? Because THAT is what I think of when you comp War of the Worlds: alien invasion. And LOTR I think of hobbits and orcs and elves in a second world fantasy. Soooooo if that's not your plot, you may end up confusing more than helping? Comps are really tricky. Ask multiple people what they think your book is if you pitch it as X meets Y and if they don't give a pretty uniform answer, it might confuse agents, too.
@@AlexaDonne i'm not actually writing that book, that was just an example, but yeah i pretty much wanted to convey, "giant fantasy world + alien invasion"
I keep seeing people saying not to add attachments but the agency I've queried didn't mention it and said to put the synopsis and first three sample chapters in word format, which I just assumed meant in a word document which you would have to then add as an attachment. But now I'm panicking aah. Do people normally just copy and paste the synopsis and sample chapters into the email then?? Isn't that annoying to read?
Copy/paste into body of email is standard because of attachments potentially having viruses. I wouldn't fret too much if the agency didn't say "in the body of the email" or "no attachments."
I literally did only query work last night> this is awesome :). * Immediately deletes unnecessary rhetorical questions*
This is the 18th „How to write a query letter“ video I’m watching today and this is BY FAR the best.
I wish this advice came sooner lol (but I'm glad I learned what I did and now can fix my faith in my book). I had a "friend" who said that what agents want to see most in queries are marketability and plot. She said the characters don't matter or their arcs because they are basically looking for the next big seller and to market it as so in a query (cringy right?). It always felt off with me but since she was published (she didn't have an agent, she went through a small local boutique as I found out later and after the fact that she didn't have an agent) so I only sent out 2- 4 queries like that (which obviously got rejected) before I lost my faith in my book and the industry because it felt wrong to try to pitch a book like the next harry potter when it's not. Lol, it's better now, working on cleaning it up after visiting it years later and with this, it makes so much more sense that I wish my brain years ago had thought about (though I was sixteen at the time trying to get published). I'm hoping to finally work on a concrete query once I'm done polishing up the cliches that I thought were needed that I hated (because it didn't work and it was played off like every cliche of it's kind and nothing new) but was told it would make the book sell. This channel has helped me for the past year and a half on returning back to a project I thought was lost because it wasn't the "next harry potter" and "wouldn't sell if it weren't". This video hit home to me, there aren't many channels that are dedicated to traditional publishing and how the industry works
i hope your querying journey went well!!
I would add one thing: make sure your query has been edited for spelling and grammar. A sloppy query letter might turn off the agent.
The fact that you are character driven focused made me instantly subscribe to your UA-cam channel even though I always got adds for it, but then my professor showed us one of your query videos and I'm like, "She knows what she's talking about."
I was just watching an old NovelTea Show episode on querying. What a coincidence!
Omg your user name Booke vs Movies makes me believe your a judge of books and movies. :D I'm hoping all my work on novels will turn into movies and tv shows.
Could you do a video on finding successful comps for your query? I'd be interested to see what your recommended process for this is if the writer was in fact inspired by a successful megabook. Thank you for putting the excellent video together. :)
Of the 800 videos and articles on queries that I have checked out, this is the best advice in the clearest way.
You mean I can't use my maximum_twilight email from middle school to query my book? 😉
Your channel is something I never knew I needed. I'm not a novel writer in any way, but not only do you make me want to write, but the tips you give are legit for simply creating a story for any other media, and selling that story. I'm having a blast. Much kudos to you 💜
I was baffled at first by how much I've heard from you and others warning people to make sure they don't insult the agent or their past clients, thinking "Who would do that in the first place?" Then I remembered the stereotype that writers hold, as Bert Kreischer once said "With that liberal arts confidence." I haven't experienced this yet personally but it reminds me to keep checking myself to remain humble. Thanks for the great advice! I'm hoping to take as much of it as I can and use it when I submit my first book soon!
Excellent timing for my train ride home from work. Thank you!
Seriously... Your channel is magic. ❤️
This was the best query letter advice video/content I’ve ever heard before. Thank you!
OMG thank you!!! No joke, I have to admit... I was literally trying to type out the query letter you read out loud in a previous video just so that I could get the formatting down for my own and this is SO much easier and more helpful!!! Lol thank you so very much! I am so appreciative for all your work making these videos!!
Definitey saving for later, when I start working on own query. Thanks for the info Alexa. :)
Thank you, Alexa, for this badass information about how to query.
Thank you. I’m struggling so hard to write a query for my character driven fantasy. Will try again with your help :)
When there's more than one POV, would you write an extra little paragraph? Or just put the focus on the more primary character?
1 POV/character queries are best, but in some cases you can highlight two POVs... max though. Not more. My personal preference is query focuses on the main main character and the 2nd POV is mentioned as part of the conflict, then when you write your book details paragraph you say "TITLE is a YA fantasy complete at XXXXX words, told from the perspectives of both Character A and Character B."
Thanks Alexa, Your tips are valuable and I like the way you introduce the key elements with humor!
I know you made this video a long time ago, but I wanted to let you know your make-up, hair, and dress all look amazing together in it. :)
Your mic is just so damn good, I love it
Love your verve and clarity.
Hi Alexa! If I have two projects completed (both YA) should I mention that in my query or wait until someone is interested in repping? I'm going to query one project at a time just to keep everything organized. Thank you :)
Only query the project at hand. Then, should they offer, you discuss the other project on the offer call.
I love every one of your videos, Alexa. Thank you.
Also that dress (or blouse?) is so vintage and cute
It's a dress! I found it ages ago at a Ross--it was some random brand I couldn't track down again.
So what is the business contact for the Alex Donne Query Services and what do you charge? :)
I wish I had this advice years ago. I would love to know how you found your comp letters so I can attempt to make my first query letter. Really would love a to-do list of steps to proceed through to navigate this process. Your videos are great! Please keep them coming.
Alexa, thank you so much for your video! I found it very helpful! Great Job!
Thank you for the information, you made it very easy to understand
Thank you so much for this video!! As an aspiring published author, your videos are so helpful to me!
I used to be the editor on the other end of the query process. My advice is to read the query out loud-- VERY SLOOOWWLLY. If it takes more than 30 seconds to read, it's probably too long.
There is a reason why the classic advertisement length was always 30 seconds. A friend who used to work in Marketing told me that people respond best to 10 seconds (or less) of "get their attention" and 20 seconds of "sale pitch." Your "hook" is your first 10 seconds, and the "book and cook" are your remaining 20 seconds.
Always sound professional. Don't say anything about how other people have said that you can't write, that you don't know if your writing is any good, or that you've always wanted to be a writer. (FYI: Everyone who came across my desk had always wanted to be a writer.)
Also, don't tell the editor how fantastic and amazing your book is. That is for them to decide. Stick to the facts, leave all opinions to them.
Your story summary is not a long paragraph. Distill your story down to the most basic elements. For example: "Boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy embarks on a journey to find her again." Don't describe every step on his long journey, just refer to it.
And Alexa is SOOO correct about going along with the submission guidelines. Don't try to outsmart the editor. They won't waste their time reading a page of your work if you didn't read a few sentences of their guidelines.
I always say, if the guidelines tell you to send only chapter five on pink paper in 26pt. Comic Sans font, then do exactly that. Don't send your entire manuscript on yellow paper in Arial 12pt.
Some of the guidelines might seem silly or too much work. But we have our reasons for whatever we ask. And if you think following those few instructions is too much work, then wait until you get to make your first round of edits!
And lastly... If you're sending it through the post office and not electronically, don't forget to make sure your SASE has the proper postage for your returning manuscript. Don't blame the editor for throwing it away if you didn't pay for them to mail it back.
Good stuff. I like your explanations and advice, which is better than most.
Definitely don't tell an agent what to think.
Thanks for sharing your input! Super helpful for a dreamer writer like me heh.
My question is... if I'm a debut author and querying for the first book to my trilogy/series, is it important to write that in the query? Or is it assumed that the story would have multiple books?
Follow the submission guidelines.
Don't poop on the genre or lead clients.
Don't insult the agent.
Wow. It just amazes me that these things have to be said. Although, I was an HR Manager for years and have seen similar things in resumes and interviews. (Don't show up to the interview and talk about how much you hate the company) Yikes.
Anyway, great video as always.
You gave a really concise and informative blog. Thank you.
Thank you for this amazing information Alexa.
Hi Alexa, thank you so much for your videos they are extremely helpful! Do you have any tips for how to use Social Media as an author? Sorry if you've already made a video on this! :)
Sent my first query the other day,.. looking forward to the first rejection!
If an agent's submission guidelines specify a number of pages, will the guidelines also state what word count or text formatting that corresponds to, or is there a standard that is to be assumed unless the guidelines specifically say otherwise?
I was wondering about how do you say you are writing under a pen name on the query. Now i know.
You are so much fun do listen too! Thank you for sharing your knowlage! ❤️
Thanks for your great information. If the agent asks for the synopsis, can I send the query letter instead?
A lot of agents say to put the info paragraph (genre, word count, comps) first. What are your thoughts on that? Which one appears to be the "surer" format?
It's a preference agents are free to express, but the vast vast majority of querying advice I've seen over the years has given the format I shared. Neither is wrong. I just personally think it's stronger to hit them with a really great hook and the meat of your book before you give them dry stuff like title, genre, word count. There are exceptions if your pitch/comps/etc. are REALLY STRONG and need to get in front of their face first. I lead with my short pitch, title, word count for Jane Eyre in space, but not for other books.
This was super helpful, thank you!
This is awesome I need this badly.
Oh so glad you don't need a degree XD. I have a question, do you query with your pen name, or legal name?
I would assume legal. No point in hiding your true name from your agent. They need to know what name to put on the contract anyways.
She mentions this at 14:10. :)
she says to close it off with
[legal name], writing as
[pseudonym]
I honestly did not know that insulting an agent actually happens in the writing industry. This is news to me. Holy cow! 0-0
I know you said don't compare to big name books, but does that include the authors as well? Like if I were to say, "This will appeal to fans of Leigh Bardugo." Or "this would appeal to fans of the dynamic cast of Leigh Bardugo's Six of Crows." Or is that still a no go?
“Don’t threaten the agent.” Wow. Uh, good advice I guess.
Do you need to query sequels? And how do those review quotes on the back of the book by other authors and news agencies get there? What's the process?
Well, if a book one has been published already, typically that means the first publication rights are gone. Traditional publishers won't be interested in a sequel to something published elsewhere, with only a few exceptions. So you'd usually not be querying a sequel?
Author & review quotes are called blurbs and your publisher works with you to get those. You don't need them for queries.
@@AlexaDonne What do you say when querying a book that you fully intend to make a Trilogy?
Very valuable video. Thanks!
Dead Fantasy tropes?
Fantasy is a big part of the market. Can you make a video about this?
How bland should/ can your bio be? I used to have one that was straight forward but people told me it was boring and too much like everyone else so I tried to make it more interesting. Now I'm not sure.
Seems like I've been doing everything else right though. 🙂
the bio is generally meant to show your credibilities (maybe you've published a short story). imo, a lot of writers' lives are pretty boring, so i'm sure boringness is fine as long as it's not totally awful ('I graduated high school.')
This is so helpful thank you!!!
So you said that emails have to be professional--does it matter if they're long?
a query letter should be around one page
Awesome contents.
Alexa -- what about the first three chapters? Do they need to be anything more than just the "big first three?" What should they contain to give an effective preview into the book's nature? I think of the "big first three" as being like a pop-up boutique that advertises a new line of clothing. What do you think? I'd love to hear your analysis of this industry hurdle. :)
I have a prologue, epilogue, and appendix in my book. Should I include these in the word count of my query? If so, do I give each as an individual? Or just say complete at the total word count for all?
I know this probably won't get a response but I was wondering what I should use for comps if I don't really read a lot of books? I'm more into writing than reading. Do you REALLY need comps in a query?
Love your top!!
Thanks for your advice Alexa! I was wondering if it's acceptable and encouraged to describe the tone of your novel and if so, where to do it in the letter? For example, my current query letter doesn't really convey that the tone is funny and satirical. And I feel strange calling it funny myself. But I worry agents will get the wrong impression from the query even though I am following the character, conflict, stakes format.
You can convey tone through your comps. So say it will appeal to fans of X & Y and use known/similar satirical/funny writers.
@@AlexaDonne Thank you!
So you make it clear we shouldn't talk too in-depth about our inspiration for the book, but do you think it's a good idea to mention the book is OwnVoice in the query? I know that's a selling point to a lot of agents, particularly in YA.
Yes, that is fine as one line either in the book info paragraph or the bio paragraph. But be careful not to go on and on, and also to be very clear about what it is ownvoices for. Like, you can't have, say, a Native American inspired fantasy with a bi protagonist and just say "ownvoices"... if you're bi, but not Native American, it's misleading. Both very valid identities! But, uh, when someone see's "ownvoices" attached to a Native American story, they expect you to be Native American. Just as an example. You can also just say "this story was inspired by my experiences as a [insert intersections]."
Also, what if you want to include drawings in your book. Is it hard to get them to allow that?
Amazing content. Thank you so much!
Queries are currently my kryptonite. I am either too detailed or it's not pitchy enough. I can't seem to find the middle ground. It's so freaking hard.
Yes and synopsis.
I can write a killer novel but those two always seem to fall short
This was great. Also, I love the 1940s thing you have going on.
Love this. Thank you so much
Very helpful!
Question: How many agents should I query at once? I can't possibly wait for each one's response since it can take weeks so I was wondering should I go low like 3 agents at once and wait for their response or big like 10 agents?
Send only one agent when you are sending it for the first time. Then time by time, multiply the number.. Wish you all the best!
Hi Alexa,do I include novels that I have published under online platforms like GoodNovel/Reddish/Wattpad
I already have a rough copy (50,000 words) of a sequel to the book I'm querying. Do I mention this or just write that there is series potential?
Back cover copy exercise: Grab a book. Type up the back cover copy word for word. Replace things like the setting name w/ YOUR setting name, character name w/ YOUR character name, all the basic 1-word things. Now, fix what's not true. (e.g., Arthur isn't going to Camelot because the Empire burned his uncle's moisture farm; he's going to Camelot to be the King. Wilbur hasn't been living in a cupboard under the stairs; he's been living on Mr. Zuckerman's farm.) Do this with at least 3 more books in different genres, because all genres have different writing styles, and back cover copies can vary radically in length and reveal different information.
Should I include in the bio paragraph that I've been writing fanfiction for years? Or does that tend to put the literary agents off?
What if writing fanfiction was and is a major part of my writing career? For example, English isn't my first language and without reading and writing fanfic, I would never have properly learned English and studied it at uni, so writing fanfiction feels so important to me, but I guess the bio paragraph could easily go without mentioning it. Could it go without mentioning that English isn't my first language though? Or is that vital for the literary agent? Or do you think they'd just reject my book once they learned I wasn't a native speaker?
Sorry for so many questions!! And thanks so much for such an informative video!!
Personally I wouldn't include any mention of fanfic unless you're mega-successful and will be leveraging that platform for a traditional book deal (like: using the same name, actively appealing to your fanbase, and did not write NC-17 stuff). ie: if you're Cassie Clare (I'm old), yes, but otherwise, no. It will turn off as many agents as it will appeal to.
In the Bio, is it bad form to mention a self-published book, or maybe to stay away from self publishing?
Would i need to include the books word count in the query if it's a graphic novel?
I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!
Thanks Alexa!
I am a Dutch writer and I'm writing my book in English. When I send in my query, should I mention that English is my second language, or not? Though I do have a Cambridge English degree, it does not directly relate to my writing... I don't want to ''scare'' them off by telling them I live in another country.
Please rate my query letter:
Dear [REJECTING AGENT],
My character wants one thing: to get published. He's been writing to the point where his fingers are aching and his eyesight
isn't doing so hot either.
At least he has his depression to take his mind off of those suicidal thoughts. That is, until an amazing event changes all
of that. But what? And who knew?!
I'm seeking representation for my fourth novel, WE'RE SORRY, BUT..., a funny, gut-wrenching, horrifying, partially-completed
(about 20 pages) light romantic comedy, with lots of gore, about a writer who wants one thing: to get published. He's been
writing to the point where his fingers are aching and his eyesight isn't doing so hot either.
It ain't bogged down by no heavy plot and it don't make the reader hafta think or nothing like that. My cousin Bubba helped
me to get it wrote more gooder.
For comparisons, you can be the judge of that. To me, it's sort of a cross between Gone with the Wind and The Terminator.
[REJECTING AGENT], I appreciate you looking it over. You can best contact me between 3:37 P.M. and 3:39 P.M. on Thursdays.
I won't accept any offer until I hear what a few other agents have to say.
Sincerely,
Alphonso P. Whickenwacker
I would recommend including an intro paragraph and to create a longer synopsis (and remove rhetorical questions as per Alexa's suggestions). I would also edit for casual language so that you present yourself more professionally.
@@AndromedaMoon888 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarcasm
Mad Hatter lol I figured but I was worried you needed actual help
@@AndromedaMoon888 Nah. All in fun!
:)
A problem I've faced, re: format - What should you do if the submission guidelines tell you to double-space the writing sample in the email, but Gmail doesn't allow you to double-space?
I haven't had any issues with double spacing in Gmail? When you copy/paste a double spaced passage into Gmail, it retains the formatting.
@@AlexaDonne How strange. For me, it reverts to single spacing every time.
Do you offer query letter assistance?
Okay, but this formula does not work with some styles of novel (particularly in scifi and fantasy). I wouldn't describe Rendezvous with Rama or Jurassic Park as character based. Or, what if you have something like ASOIF where there really are no protagonist(s), but multiple POVs? If pitch was the character arc in these novels, they wouldn't have gotten published. How does one do a pitch for these alternative styles of story telling?
To anyone else having trouble: working backwards with the snowflake method worked wonders for me
I wrote a novel of 88,000 words, it was tough but a wonderful experience, but as I write my query letters my palms are sweating! They never sweat writing my novel! Why is it so hard, especially for agents request only a query letter and no samples?
Question! When comparing your book to other titles, can they only be books? Because I would say my current novel is Fallout New Vegas meets The Troop by Nick Cutter. But if comparing it to a video game doesn't work then I'll reconsider.
You can do both! But I recommend if you have a set of comps that aren't books that you also have something about books. So saying something like "will appeal to fans of Holly Black and Susan Dennard" (or whatever) in addition to your X meets Y.
Do you need to copyright before sending your manuscript?
I really like my query letter but I found a spelling mistake in one of my sample chapters which makes me fear I possibly have more. Will literary agents hold this against me?
...you know I have seen some really bad back cover copies in my time, hah.
Three in particular stick out--one where the thing presented as if it was the inciting incident actually happens three-quarters of the way through the book (and this is the best of the lot), one where the plot described sure is a plot but it sure as hell isn't the plot of the book in question (they didn't even get the main character's name right!), and one where I think the back cover copy as written might be fine for the series as a whole, but for the first book it spoiled an event that happens literally on the last page (and then kept going, into events further on in the timeline than anything in the book in question).
All of these I think I would have enjoyed a lot more had I not been confused and misled by the back cover copies so uh I guess the moral of the story is don't do that to your prospective agents.
Were these on traditionally published books? I'm curious. Not that trad pub can't misstep, but usually they know what they're doing. It's actually the editors who write that copy, not the authors, fun fact. They do vary, in that some editors are REALLY talented at that copy. Mileage varies!
@@AlexaDonne yeah, traditionally published, all of them, and all of them from established authors--the first two are actually from the same author, in fact, albeit at least a decade (I think, haven't actually checked, but certainly more than eight years) apart.
Do I need to copywrite my book before sending out queries?
i thought you were going to say its a requirement to have shame to be a writer ! 5.50
Question: when potential agents ask for x amount of pages is it based on your writer processor pages (in my case I use Microsoft word) or “printed pages” bc I know those word counts are VERY different.
Microsoft Word.
If you don't personalize the letter to the agent how do you address the letter?
Is there any way I could get someone to look at a rough draft query letter?
Which is the best software for writing.I’m a newbie and currently use google docs but it’s sometimes frustrating.I wouldn’t want to pay for Word if I didn’t have to
I use Scrivener, which is software for writers. It's my personal favorite. I have videos on it if you're curious. I do also use Microsoft Word, because once you sell a book, you will have to use Word for things like copy edits, because that is what publishers use. But you don't have to get Word now if you don't want to.
Thank you!!!!
What about writing a query letter to a publisher, what are the rules?
question about comps. I hem and haw about this all the time. What if I'm writing something that I describe as say, "War of the Worlds" meets "Lord of the Rings". Both classics, but combined i think it suitably describes...something, a unique flavor. That's just an example but I tend to think and get inspired by "some classic" meets "something at the complete other end of the spectrum".
The problem is, comps can't just be two disparate things thrown together--they should give me a VERY clear sense of what the book is. So I'll admit I'm a bit confused: your book is big fantasy world with an alien invasion? Because THAT is what I think of when you comp War of the Worlds: alien invasion. And LOTR I think of hobbits and orcs and elves in a second world fantasy. Soooooo if that's not your plot, you may end up confusing more than helping? Comps are really tricky. Ask multiple people what they think your book is if you pitch it as X meets Y and if they don't give a pretty uniform answer, it might confuse agents, too.
@@AlexaDonne i'm not actually writing that book, that was just an example, but yeah i pretty much wanted to convey, "giant fantasy world + alien invasion"
Can you still send qurey letter if you still have a publisher?
I keep seeing people saying not to add attachments but the agency I've queried didn't mention it and said to put the synopsis and first three sample chapters in word format, which I just assumed meant in a word document which you would have to then add as an attachment. But now I'm panicking aah. Do people normally just copy and paste the synopsis and sample chapters into the email then?? Isn't that annoying to read?
Copy/paste into body of email is standard because of attachments potentially having viruses. I wouldn't fret too much if the agency didn't say "in the body of the email" or "no attachments."
@@AlexaDonne Thank you!
love this