Comments on: What is a query? How do I write one? http://www.superheronation.com/2009/03/27/what-is-a-query-how-do-i-write-one/ How to write a superhero book, comic book or superhero novel and get it published Sun, 12 Feb 2012 08:42:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: B. Mac http://www.superheronation.com/2009/03/27/what-is-a-query-how-do-i-write-one/comment-page-1/#comment-140536 B. Mac Mon, 25 Jul 2011 01:24:36 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=2718#comment-140536 Generally, I'd recommend 0-1 sentences for the bio unless you have something like the following going on: <br /> --You have professional experience directly relevant to the book, like a cop writing a detective story, a doctor writing a medical drama or a ninja writing anything. You can be creative here. For example, if you've worked as a grade-school teacher and are writing a children's book, your experience with kids will probably help you write something they'd want to read, right? (At the very least, they should be more believable). <br /> --You have some other experience that's directly related to the book. For example, if you're pitching a book about a crazy mountaineering trip, it'd be totally relevant and interesting that you have climbed K-2. <br /> --You're a celebrity (i.e. your city's largest newspaper has written articles about you). Double-points if the editor has heard of you before. <br /> --You've professionally published before. (I know you specified that the person hasn't, but I'll include this for other people that might be reading along). <br /> --You've worked in publishing or any other field related to writing, editing and/or selling books. For example, if you're a librarian, I'd feel pretty comfortable assuming that you know at least a few people that buy hundreds of books a year. That can only bode well for your sales. <br /> --You've sold thousands of copies of a self-published book. <br /> --You've written for hundreds of thousands of readers (through your day job, your blog and/or your previous works, etc). <br /> --You've won a major writing award (one the editor has probably heard of). <br /> --Some people mention their degrees, but personally I don't think it matters all that much. Generally, I’d recommend 0-1 sentences for the bio unless you have something like the following going on:

–You have professional experience directly relevant to the book, like a cop writing a detective story, a doctor writing a medical drama or a ninja writing anything. You can be creative here. For example, if you’ve worked as a grade-school teacher and are writing a children’s book, your experience with kids will probably help you write something they’d want to read, right? (At the very least, they should be more believable).

–You have some other experience that’s directly related to the book. For example, if you’re pitching a book about a crazy mountaineering trip, it’d be totally relevant and interesting that you have climbed K-2.

–You’re a celebrity (i.e. your city’s largest newspaper has written articles about you). Double-points if the editor has heard of you before.

–You’ve professionally published before. (I know you specified that the person hasn’t, but I’ll include this for other people that might be reading along).

–You’ve worked in publishing or any other field related to writing, editing and/or selling books. For example, if you’re a librarian, I’d feel pretty comfortable assuming that you know at least a few people that buy hundreds of books a year. That can only bode well for your sales.

–You’ve sold thousands of copies of a self-published book.

–You’ve written for hundreds of thousands of readers (through your day job, your blog and/or your previous works, etc).

–You’ve won a major writing award (one the editor has probably heard of).

–Some people mention their degrees, but personally I don’t think it matters all that much.

]]> By: Grenac http://www.superheronation.com/2009/03/27/what-is-a-query-how-do-i-write-one/comment-page-1/#comment-140519 Grenac Sun, 24 Jul 2011 23:44:02 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=2718#comment-140519 Let's say a first-timer with no writing experience submits a query letter. What should they do for a bio? Let’s say a first-timer with no writing experience submits a query letter. What should they do for a bio?

]]> By: B. Mac http://www.superheronation.com/2009/03/27/what-is-a-query-how-do-i-write-one/comment-page-1/#comment-131999 B. Mac Fri, 10 Jun 2011 18:42:03 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=2718#comment-131999 Well, in marketing and publicity, you'll still probably be writing promotional copy and business emails. I've worked as a copywriter myself and my boss was notably relieved that I could communicate with clients and write copy without him standing over my shoulder. Well, in marketing and publicity, you’ll still probably be writing promotional copy and business emails. I’ve worked as a copywriter myself and my boss was notably relieved that I could communicate with clients and write copy without him standing over my shoulder.

]]> By: Goat http://www.superheronation.com/2009/03/27/what-is-a-query-how-do-i-write-one/comment-page-1/#comment-131989 Goat Fri, 10 Jun 2011 17:29:58 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=2718#comment-131989 I might be doing either a marketing or publicity internship, I should have mentioned that above, but you gave me some good tips. I'll just have to choose between the marketing and publicity one and then incorporate some writing credentials as well I guess. I might be doing either a marketing or publicity internship, I should have mentioned that above, but you gave me some good tips. I’ll just have to choose between the marketing and publicity one and then incorporate some writing credentials as well I guess.

]]> By: B. Mac http://www.superheronation.com/2009/03/27/what-is-a-query-how-do-i-write-one/comment-page-1/#comment-131898 B. Mac Fri, 10 Jun 2011 04:21:04 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=2718#comment-131898 Hmm. It'd depend on the position, so it'd help me to see the job description for the job, but if I had to do a resume without looking at the description (mistake!), I'd probably try to work the following aspects into a generic resume: --Your writing and/or editing ability and/or the degree of trust other people have in your writing and/or editing. So, for example, it'd be good if you were a writing tutor for a college, but it'd be better if a professor asked you to review his manuscript. (Trusting a scholarly manuscript to someone says more than just a college paper). --Your ability to meet tough deadlines, particularly on creative endeavors. --Your ability to work with others, particularly on creative endeavors. --Your ability to reliably turn out high-quality work proactively without a manager needing to prod you or check your work at every turn. --In your cover letter, I'd recommend working in something about this company in particular. For example, if you're notably fond of several of their authors, you could mention that to show that you're familiar with the sorts of books they publish. (If you make it to the interview, they'll probably ask you questions about that anyway). --Maybe your ability to learn from "drudge" work? (A lot of people have had highly unhappy experiences with interns that thought they were too good for grunt work, which is a mistake because interns are definitely not hired to be CEOs). Hmm. It’d depend on the position, so it’d help me to see the job description for the job, but if I had to do a resume without looking at the description (mistake!), I’d probably try to work the following aspects into a generic resume:
–Your writing and/or editing ability and/or the degree of trust other people have in your writing and/or editing. So, for example, it’d be good if you were a writing tutor for a college, but it’d be better if a professor asked you to review his manuscript. (Trusting a scholarly manuscript to someone says more than just a college paper).
–Your ability to meet tough deadlines, particularly on creative endeavors.
–Your ability to work with others, particularly on creative endeavors.
–Your ability to reliably turn out high-quality work proactively without a manager needing to prod you or check your work at every turn.
–In your cover letter, I’d recommend working in something about this company in particular. For example, if you’re notably fond of several of their authors, you could mention that to show that you’re familiar with the sorts of books they publish. (If you make it to the interview, they’ll probably ask you questions about that anyway).
–Maybe your ability to learn from “drudge” work? (A lot of people have had highly unhappy experiences with interns that thought they were too good for grunt work, which is a mistake because interns are definitely not hired to be CEOs).

]]> By: Goat http://www.superheronation.com/2009/03/27/what-is-a-query-how-do-i-write-one/comment-page-1/#comment-131876 Goat Thu, 09 Jun 2011 23:19:49 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=2718#comment-131876 I didn't really see an article about this but, how would you write a writing resume? I might do an internship for a publisher, I just don't know if the regular resume would cut it this time around... I didn’t really see an article about this but, how would you write a writing resume? I might do an internship for a publisher, I just don’t know if the regular resume would cut it this time around…

]]> By: Becca http://www.superheronation.com/2009/03/27/what-is-a-query-how-do-i-write-one/comment-page-1/#comment-47625 Becca Sun, 29 Nov 2009 21:38:19 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=2718#comment-47625 Okay. Some of the stuff that kind of drives his decision to jump into this stuff with Jon way too fast is his previous anti-social-ness. He's never before made an effort to get close to anyone, besides Patrick who basically worships him, and when suddenly someone he actually likes is interested in too, he'll go along with anything they want. The driving force in his life up to this point has been the desire to be left alone, and here he realizes that he doesn't want this anymore. So I guess he's trying to figure out, if complete isolation isn't what he wants anymore, what does he want? PS he wanted that isolation his whole life because he finds his parents and home life unbearable. Wow as I try to explain this it's making less and less sense to me xD Okay. Some of the stuff that kind of drives his decision to jump into this stuff with Jon way too fast is his previous anti-social-ness. He’s never before made an effort to get close to anyone, besides Patrick who basically worships him, and when suddenly someone he actually likes is interested in too, he’ll go along with anything they want. The driving force in his life up to this point has been the desire to be left alone, and here he realizes that he doesn’t want this anymore. So I guess he’s trying to figure out, if complete isolation isn’t what he wants anymore, what does he want?

PS he wanted that isolation his whole life because he finds his parents and home life unbearable. Wow as I try to explain this it’s making less and less sense to me xD

]]> By: B. Mac http://www.superheronation.com/2009/03/27/what-is-a-query-how-do-i-write-one/comment-page-1/#comment-47621 B. Mac Sun, 29 Nov 2009 21:06:03 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=2718#comment-47621 I think that something like "...has everyone raising their eyebrows – even Zach himself..." is a major improvement, but I'd recommend focusing on Zach's mindset here. Jon is rushing into this because he's afraid of being abandoned, but why is Zach going along? Since Zach is the protagonist, his mindset and decisions are the crux of the story. <br /> I think that your blurb could be enhanced by telling us a bit more about what drives Zach. Right now, we only know that he's in love, is a bit shy and has a messed up brother. I'd recommend focusing a bit more on his personality, key traits and/or background. I think that something like “…has everyone raising their eyebrows – even Zach himself…” is a major improvement, but I’d recommend focusing on Zach’s mindset here. Jon is rushing into this because he’s afraid of being abandoned, but why is Zach going along? Since Zach is the protagonist, his mindset and decisions are the crux of the story.

I think that your blurb could be enhanced by telling us a bit more about what drives Zach. Right now, we only know that he’s in love, is a bit shy and has a messed up brother. I’d recommend focusing a bit more on his personality, key traits and/or background.

]]> By: Becca http://www.superheronation.com/2009/03/27/what-is-a-query-how-do-i-write-one/comment-page-1/#comment-47619 Becca Sun, 29 Nov 2009 20:59:04 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=2718#comment-47619 Okay, I see what you mean. And yes, Zach's brother does fall in love with Zach... it's a bit of an angsty, warped story haha. And the reason for their hasty engagement is supposed to be very questionable - Jon rushes them into this due to a phobia of being abandoned. Maybe I could tweak the query by mentioning that the engagement "has everyone raising their eyebrows - even Zach himself", or something to that effect? Okay, I see what you mean. And yes, Zach’s brother does fall in love with Zach… it’s a bit of an angsty, warped story haha. And the reason for their hasty engagement is supposed to be very questionable – Jon rushes them into this due to a phobia of being abandoned. Maybe I could tweak the query by mentioning that the engagement “has everyone raising their eyebrows – even Zach himself”, or something to that effect?

]]> By: B. Mac http://www.superheronation.com/2009/03/27/what-is-a-query-how-do-i-write-one/comment-page-1/#comment-47544 B. Mac Sun, 29 Nov 2009 01:48:37 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=2718#comment-47544 I think it's a lot less annoying and more effective than writing this in the first person (from Zach's perspective, for example). The narrator's voice sounds a bit more casual and young than a typical narrator, but I think it fits the audience pretty well. I feel the voice works. <br /> However, I'm not sure about the substance of the blurb. I feel like it glosses over the critical decisions of the characters. In particular, I think that the engagement is a MAJOR event in the context of this story. (Usually, getting engaged is the climax of a romance, and I'd categorize this as a romance). We don't really know why he rushes into the engagement. <br /> Is there some unusual circumstance that leads him into that decision? Explaining the circumstances could make the blurb come to life. (For example, sometimes soldiers rush into marriage in case they die so that their significant others can collect death benefits more easily). Right now, the motivation seems a bit unclear. This seems like a very important step in the relationship between Zach and John, so I'd recommend giving it a better hook than leaving it sort of implied that "Well, Zach just REALLY loves John!" <br /> I think Superhero Nation has a similar issue--it is really important to understand why a mild-mannered accountant joins a top-secret crimefighting team. I think that explaining the circumstances (he's nearly killed by a car-bomb and needs protection) help introduce the reader to the story. <br /> ... <br /> One minor point of clarification. Zach's older brother falls in love with Zach, right, rather than Jonathan or Patrick? I think it’s a lot less annoying and more effective than writing this in the first person (from Zach’s perspective, for example). The narrator’s voice sounds a bit more casual and young than a typical narrator, but I think it fits the audience pretty well. I feel the voice works.

However, I’m not sure about the substance of the blurb. I feel like it glosses over the critical decisions of the characters. In particular, I think that the engagement is a MAJOR event in the context of this story. (Usually, getting engaged is the climax of a romance, and I’d categorize this as a romance). We don’t really know why he rushes into the engagement.

Is there some unusual circumstance that leads him into that decision? Explaining the circumstances could make the blurb come to life. (For example, sometimes soldiers rush into marriage in case they die so that their significant others can collect death benefits more easily). Right now, the motivation seems a bit unclear. This seems like a very important step in the relationship between Zach and John, so I’d recommend giving it a better hook than leaving it sort of implied that “Well, Zach just REALLY loves John!”

I think Superhero Nation has a similar issue–it is really important to understand why a mild-mannered accountant joins a top-secret crimefighting team. I think that explaining the circumstances (he’s nearly killed by a car-bomb and needs protection) help introduce the reader to the story.

…

One minor point of clarification. Zach’s older brother falls in love with Zach, right, rather than Jonathan or Patrick?

]]> By: Becca http://www.superheronation.com/2009/03/27/what-is-a-query-how-do-i-write-one/comment-page-1/#comment-47532 Becca Sun, 29 Nov 2009 00:28:53 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=2718#comment-47532 Okay, here it is. From my query. I loved it when I first wrote it, now I'm slightly less enamoured. But I still like it. "In Zach’s senior year, he falls in love. And not with just anyone – with Jonathan, the school’s reigning hipster. Then there’s a hasty engagement to marry said popular hipster. This leads to even more emergencies for Zach: Patrick’s [Zach's best friend] dangerous jealousy, becoming one half of the school’s ‘it’ couple when he’s used to blending into the scenery, and figuring out what he really wants out of all this. Also, his public romance may somehow be linked to anonymous anarchist articles in the school paper. Oh yeah, and then his estranged way-older brother just has to fall in love with him, and Patrick just has to storm the school with a handgun..." Okay, here it is. From my query. I loved it when I first wrote it, now I’m slightly less enamoured. But I still like it.

“In Zach’s senior year, he falls in love. And not with just anyone – with Jonathan, the school’s reigning hipster. Then there’s a hasty engagement to marry said popular hipster. This leads to even more emergencies for Zach: Patrick’s [Zach's best friend] dangerous jealousy, becoming one half of the school’s ‘it’ couple when he’s used to blending into the scenery, and figuring out what he really wants out of all this. Also, his public romance may somehow be linked to anonymous anarchist articles in the school paper. Oh yeah, and then his estranged way-older brother just has to fall in love with him, and Patrick just has to storm the school with a handgun…”

]]> By: B. Mac http://www.superheronation.com/2009/03/27/what-is-a-query-how-do-i-write-one/comment-page-1/#comment-47530 B. Mac Sun, 29 Nov 2009 00:21:31 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=2718#comment-47530 Sure! Sure!

]]> By: Becca http://www.superheronation.com/2009/03/27/what-is-a-query-how-do-i-write-one/comment-page-1/#comment-47528 Becca Sat, 28 Nov 2009 23:56:24 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=2718#comment-47528 Yes, I've read that on QueryShark as well. Still, I feel my sort-of-in-character summary is effective... can I post it here to run it by you? Yes, I’ve read that on QueryShark as well. Still, I feel my sort-of-in-character summary is effective… can I post it here to run it by you?

]]> By: B. Mac http://www.superheronation.com/2009/03/27/what-is-a-query-how-do-i-write-one/comment-page-1/#comment-47444 B. Mac Sat, 28 Nov 2009 05:29:14 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=2718#comment-47444 <a href=http://queryshark.blogspot.com/2009/10/137.html rel="nofollow">I read this today on QueryShark:</a> <br /> "Much as I adore the phrase 'sulfurous redhead', this approach (writing the query 'in character') is gimmicky. Don't do it. And what kind of power is 'persuasion' anyway? Revise. This isn't a form rejection, I'd read the pages, but it's not the most effective query you can write." I read this today on QueryShark:

“Much as I adore the phrase ‘sulfurous redhead’, this approach (writing the query ‘in character’) is gimmicky. Don’t do it. And what kind of power is ‘persuasion’ anyway? Revise. This isn’t a form rejection, I’d read the pages, but it’s not the most effective query you can write.”

]]> By: Becca http://www.superheronation.com/2009/03/27/what-is-a-query-how-do-i-write-one/comment-page-1/#comment-47221 Becca Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:06:57 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=2718#comment-47221 Ahh okay, that's kind of what I thought as well. I'd just read a quote from an agent who said a first-person summary bit "enchanted" her and I thought, hmm. It would probably be good just to write one in third-person, but with the kind of cadence and language the first-person narrator would use. That's what I did in my query. Ahh okay, that’s kind of what I thought as well. I’d just read a quote from an agent who said a first-person summary bit “enchanted” her and I thought, hmm. It would probably be good just to write one in third-person, but with the kind of cadence and language the first-person narrator would use. That’s what I did in my query.

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