Queries
A writer-friend of mine (no, not from the MFA program, or from college, but from the IHOP I worked at when I was twenty, of all places!) emailed me just this morning to ask for query tips. I pointed her towards the Absolute Write forums and Kristin Nelson’s blog–and then a few hours later Gretchen McNeil posted this great entry on query letter writing.
PITCH
From the queries I’ve read and critiqued over the past few years, I find that this is the hardest concept for many writers. I know, I know, the middle section of your query is the synopsis part. I say, NO NO NO NO NO! It’s the PITCH section.
You are pitching your novel to an agent, you are trying to convince them that you have an interesting story that they want to read more of. You are NOT giving them a full synopsis complete with backstory, subplots and fully explained character motivations. Pitch your novel. Which leads me to…
PLOT
How much plot do you need in your “synopsis” section? About this much (*holds thumb and forefinger an inch apart*) Specifically: here’s my main character, here’s what’s happening to him or her, here’s what the stakes are. Take it right up to the point where your main character has to overcome the obstacles, then tease the end and get the hell out.
Don’t try to introduce all of your characters. Don’t explain the intricacies of your world-building. Don’t drop a bunch of names and places that don’t directly effect the arc of your main character.
Doesn’t that sound simple? Ha. Ha, ha.
Here’s my query for THE WITCH’S EYE, the one that landed me a Rockstar agent. One character. One main story arc. It establishes voice (*I* think) and setting. It teases the story but of course it really on grazes the surface of what the novel is about. But that’s the point. It’s a pitch!
Great advice!
She’s also holding a query-letter contest, so mosey on over to her blog if you want a chance to have an up-and-coming give your letter a once-over.
Phoebe
Phoebe is a 20-something writer who lives in New York State with her husband and cat. She is a dork, not a geek or a nerd.
Her debut novel, Starglass, will be released from Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers in Summer 2013.
4 comments
I’ve seen conflicting advice about whether to reveal the ending or not in the query letter itself. Some agents insist on it and I’ve seen query letter sites that advise the same, whereas others follow this philosophy. Long live ambiguity! Personally, I find the “tease ending” more viable for a query letter.
Hey Lindsey–most of the advice I've seen says no ending in the query letter (but DEFINITELY the ending in a synopsis, if one of those evil things is requested), though of course, I'd include one if an individual agent asked for it. The idea seems wrong to me, though. As much as I love spoilers (and I LOVE spoilers–once I'm already into something), they don't really entice me to read a book!
congrats, girl! and let me know if you ever want me to glance over your query — I love query letters. the two girls whose queries I last asskicked just landed agents within a couple weeks of querying. obviously, this had everything to do with my critiquing and not their actual books
Kirsten, are you suuure? Because I'm really very tempted to take you up on that. I've been too shy to actually participate on Absolute Write (which is weird, since I have like . . . 15 betas on my actual manuscript or something absurd like that. I don't even remember) but sending it to just one person is much less scary!