Comments on: Ready to query? Get an e-mail address just for your writing work http://www.superheronation.com/2010/01/31/ready-to-query-get-an-e-mail-address-just-for-your-writing-work/ How to write a graphic novel, comic book or superhero novel and get it published Sat, 31 Jul 2010 08:42:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Ragged Boy http://www.superheronation.com/2010/01/31/ready-to-query-get-an-e-mail-address-just-for-your-writing-work/#comment-53165 Ragged Boy Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:09:39 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=5408#comment-53165 I need to be writing right now. But I've been so bogged with school. Ugh. I truly hate it. I starting to get in the writing mood so I think I may get some work done. Smooth. I'll get on that. Thanks by the way, B. Mac. ;-) I need to be writing right now. But I’ve been so bogged with school. Ugh. I truly hate it. I starting to get in the writing mood so I think I may get some work done. Smooth. I’ll get on that.

Thanks by the way, B. Mac. ;-)

]]> By: B. Mac http://www.superheronation.com/2010/01/31/ready-to-query-get-an-e-mail-address-just-for-your-writing-work/#comment-53081 B. Mac Mon, 01 Feb 2010 03:23:25 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=5408#comment-53081 Yeah, I think the writing is the most important thing right now. I'd recommend getting an artist involved AFTER the issue is ready to illustrate. As for the cover letter, I could see good reasons to do that either before or after the art. It'll make you think more about the target audience and pitch for the book, which should influence the art style. On the other hand, the process of finding an artist and getting through the sample will leave you with a few weeks of dead time, which you could use on the query (and synopsis, if necessary). Yeah, I think the writing is the most important thing right now. I’d recommend getting an artist involved AFTER the issue is ready to illustrate. As for the cover letter, I could see good reasons to do that either before or after the art. It’ll make you think more about the target audience and pitch for the book, which should influence the art style. On the other hand, the process of finding an artist and getting through the sample will leave you with a few weeks of dead time, which you could use on the query (and synopsis, if necessary).

]]> By: Ragged Boy http://www.superheronation.com/2010/01/31/ready-to-query-get-an-e-mail-address-just-for-your-writing-work/#comment-53080 Ragged Boy Mon, 01 Feb 2010 03:07:42 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=5408#comment-53080 So basically I should just worry about the writing as of now. Try to find an artist to do my sample pages so that I can even have credentials for my artist. Okay, I can do that. So basically I should just worry about the writing as of now. Try to find an artist to do my sample pages so that I can even have credentials for my artist. Okay, I can do that.

]]> By: B. Mac http://www.superheronation.com/2010/01/31/ready-to-query-get-an-e-mail-address-just-for-your-writing-work/#comment-53073 B. Mac Mon, 01 Feb 2010 01:58:56 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=5408#comment-53073 Sure thing, RB. I'm looking forward to it. I've been thinking about how to do a cover letter or query letter for most of the regulars here. <br /> I'd also recommend checking out websites like QueryShark and The Rejectionist, because I think that a lot of the skills involved in writing an excellent novel query translate to writing cover letters for a comic book submission. <br /> There are a few differences, though... --A CL should mention page-count and whether this is a standalone issue, a limited series or an ongoing series. QLs mention word-count and whether they have a series in mind. <br /> --A comic book writer will probably include more with his CL than a novelist would include with his query letter. Notably, most comic book publishers ask that the writer submit at least the script for the first issue. In contrast, a novelist should NEVER send his full manuscript unless the agent or editor specifically asks him to. (The main difference is that agents and editors/publisher's assistants would drown in paper if every novelist sent a full manuscript, but a comic book script is usually around 22-32 pages). <br /> --If you have an artist, you might want to talk a bit about his or her credentials like you would talk about yours. <br /> --Most comic book publishers besides Dark Horse expect ~5 sample pages inked, lettered and (if applicable) colored. Note: the script should cover every page of the issue, even the ones included as sample pages! It makes reading the script easier and the editor will want to see the script the artist was working from. <br /> Sure thing, RB. I’m looking forward to it. I’ve been thinking about how to do a cover letter or query letter for most of the regulars here.

I’d also recommend checking out websites like QueryShark and The Rejectionist, because I think that a lot of the skills involved in writing an excellent novel query translate to writing cover letters for a comic book submission.

There are a few differences, though…
–A CL should mention page-count and whether this is a standalone issue, a limited series or an ongoing series. QLs mention word-count and whether they have a series in mind.

–A comic book writer will probably include more with his CL than a novelist would include with his query letter. Notably, most comic book publishers ask that the writer submit at least the script for the first issue. In contrast, a novelist should NEVER send his full manuscript unless the agent or editor specifically asks him to. (The main difference is that agents and editors/publisher’s assistants would drown in paper if every novelist sent a full manuscript, but a comic book script is usually around 22-32 pages).

–If you have an artist, you might want to talk a bit about his or her credentials like you would talk about yours.

–Most comic book publishers besides Dark Horse expect ~5 sample pages inked, lettered and (if applicable) colored. Note: the script should cover every page of the issue, even the ones included as sample pages! It makes reading the script easier and the editor will want to see the script the artist was working from.

]]> By: B. Mac http://www.superheronation.com/2010/01/31/ready-to-query-get-an-e-mail-address-just-for-your-writing-work/#comment-53072 B. Mac Mon, 01 Feb 2010 01:49:26 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=5408#comment-53072 Yeah, Anonymous. The line at the <a href=http://www.essortment.com/hobbies/pennamepseudo_szyr.htm rel="nofollow">top of the first page of your manuscript should be either "[GIVEN NAME], WRITING AS [PSEUDONYM]" or "[GIVEN NAME]"</a>. So, for example, "JOSHUA HELLER, WRITING AS B. MAC," or "JOSHUA HELLER". And, before anyone asks, my name isn't Joshua Heller. ;-) Yeah, Anonymous. The line at the top of the first page of your manuscript should be either “[GIVEN NAME], WRITING AS [PSEUDONYM]” or “[GIVEN NAME]“. So, for example, “JOSHUA HELLER, WRITING AS B. MAC,” or “JOSHUA HELLER”. And, before anyone asks, my name isn’t Joshua Heller. ;-)

]]> By: Becca http://www.superheronation.com/2010/01/31/ready-to-query-get-an-e-mail-address-just-for-your-writing-work/#comment-53068 Becca Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:55:15 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=5408#comment-53068 I definitely have a separate writing-centric email address. Also, I'm thinking about maybe using a pseudonym, since my surname is long and some people have trouble pronouncing it. I definitely have a separate writing-centric email address. Also, I’m thinking about maybe using a pseudonym, since my surname is long and some people have trouble pronouncing it.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.superheronation.com/2010/01/31/ready-to-query-get-an-e-mail-address-just-for-your-writing-work/#comment-53049 Anonymous Sun, 31 Jan 2010 22:07:13 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=5408#comment-53049 Okay, thanks. ^_^ In order to make it clear, you would put "John Smith, writing as Steve Johnson," I think...? Okay, thanks. ^_^ In order to make it clear, you would put “John Smith, writing as Steve Johnson,” I think…?

]]> By: Ragged Boy http://www.superheronation.com/2010/01/31/ready-to-query-get-an-e-mail-address-just-for-your-writing-work/#comment-53048 Ragged Boy Sun, 31 Jan 2010 22:00:47 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=5408#comment-53048 I've thought about doing this before, but as of now it would serve little purpose. Unless of course I was submitting parts of my script (and other writing things) to you for review. Then it would be nice to get them back without interference by other e-mails. I'll consider it. On that note, I want to get started on my query letter. I'll write out some rough ones. I’ve thought about doing this before, but as of now it would serve little purpose. Unless of course I was submitting parts of my script (and other writing things) to you for review. Then it would be nice to get them back without interference by other e-mails. I’ll consider it.

On that note, I want to get started on my query letter. I’ll write out some rough ones.

]]> By: B. Mac http://www.superheronation.com/2010/01/31/ready-to-query-get-an-e-mail-address-just-for-your-writing-work/#comment-53044 B. Mac Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:37:59 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=5408#comment-53044 I think it's fine to use your pseudonym as the e-mail address (SteveJohnson-at-isp-dot-com or whatever). Especially if you use the name to interact with fans. "But I want to talk to Steve Johnson! Who's this John Smith guy?" <br /> However, when you're submitting novel queries or comic book proposals, I would recommend making it clear that you're actually John Smith writing as Steve Johnson. It'll remove a potential source of confusion. <br /> ... <br /> Incidentally, please be careful with the pen-name. Particularly if you're picking a name for style points rather than out of professional necessity. (For example, a long-time nonfiction author breaking into fiction might use a pseudonym so that readers don't get confused, or I might use a pseudonym for my comedies starring wacky government agencies because my agency would probably frown on them). In contrast, if you're going for the style, it'd make a particularly bad first impression if the name feels goofy. (Hunter McSlaughter, <em>really</em>?) I think it’s fine to use your pseudonym as the e-mail address (SteveJohnson-at-isp-dot-com or whatever). Especially if you use the name to interact with fans. “But I want to talk to Steve Johnson! Who’s this John Smith guy?”

However, when you’re submitting novel queries or comic book proposals, I would recommend making it clear that you’re actually John Smith writing as Steve Johnson. It’ll remove a potential source of confusion.

…

Incidentally, please be careful with the pen-name. Particularly if you’re picking a name for style points rather than out of professional necessity. (For example, a long-time nonfiction author breaking into fiction might use a pseudonym so that readers don’t get confused, or I might use a pseudonym for my comedies starring wacky government agencies because my agency would probably frown on them). In contrast, if you’re going for the style, it’d make a particularly bad first impression if the name feels goofy. (Hunter McSlaughter, really?)

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.superheronation.com/2010/01/31/ready-to-query-get-an-e-mail-address-just-for-your-writing-work/#comment-53043 Anonymous Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:28:41 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=5408#comment-53043 I've been thinking this seems like a good idea for some time now... I'm curious though, if you choose to write under a pseudonym, will it seem pretentious to use that pseudonym as your email address? (Ex. John Smith using the email address Steve Johnson.) I’ve been thinking this seems like a good idea for some time now… I’m curious though, if you choose to write under a pseudonym, will it seem pretentious to use that pseudonym as your email address? (Ex. John Smith using the email address Steve Johnson.)

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