Date Posted:18:46:30 04/12/10 Mon Author: Alex Subject: Re: That damned query letter >>>> In reply to:
Page
's message, "That damned query letter >>>>" on 12:11:18 04/10/10 Sat
*puffing cheeks out and blowing air* I'm trying to remember advice I heard about query letters from agents. If this is redundant info, sorry. I haven't seen the blog pages. Basically, the agents detailed their job and just how much reading they do, which is a buttload. So the key to a query was being able to rise above the sheer mass of info they take in and stick out. Make them pause and keep reading. Intrigue them, but also have the letter reflect the style of your story. No snappy phrasing when the story is a flowery romance. And conversely, no plodding outline when the story is dynamic. They also said, think about what happens next. They have to go pitch your story to a publishing co. rep, who in turn pitches it to the next higher up at the co. and so on till it gets to the president. One agent said imagine I'm chasing after my publishing company rep, who's avoiding me at all cost, so they duck in the elevator and I have just enough time to yell out a line before the doors close. Is the first line of your query letter going to make the rep hit the door open button? If it is, the short elevator ride with the rep is where they communicate the rest of the query letter. Now the rep steps off the elevator with a 'I'll call you', and does the same thing the agent did, with their boss, and so on.
So with that in mind, I think you have a great hook with the first line of the first letter. That'd make the elevator doors open. But both letters are telling the story. Try showing it.
Page, 15:37:01 04/13/10 Tue