That is my biggest fear.
My manuscript will be thrown right on top of the slush pile, without the agent (or, most likely, his assistant) ever having read one word of what took me over two years to write.
Yet that is what is most likely to happen to me - and most of us who are "amateurs" and unknown.
Is there anything we can do to avoid that? Who really knows!
But we must certainly try.
Below is a list of questions to ask and points to consider in getting your book stand out (thank you Writer's Digest). Most of these are obvious and dead on - but sometimes those are the first ones to slip our minds (at least mine, as I get lost in crafting each sentence or thinking about the theme).
- Why does the publisher have to read it? (If you are not sure, how can they be?)
- Why do you believe in what you are doing?
- What is it about this book that warrants the attention of the reading public?
- Start thinking like a marketer - condense the story into just two sharp, attention-grabbing sentences.
- Target your book - which market are you aiming for? How is your book different from others targeting the same audience?
These are great things to ask and your worry is all of ours I think. Just give us a chance! :)
ReplyDeleteQueries stink. But they are good practice for writing the blurb.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way! Thank you for sharing this list. I'll be querying in September, so this will come in handy.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you!
Yep - totally. I'm right there with you. I guess this is where the perseverance really matters... Thanks for the list of things to keep in the front of my mind! You can do it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this. I'm getting close to submissions, and it's a good reminder to help me keep on track :o)
ReplyDeleteGood stuff. I've sent some articles in to some magazines and I don't get rejected, but i get ignored. I don't which is worse. I think i'd rather get rejected than ignored.
ReplyDeleteStart thinking like a marketer is the biggest thing, I think... We are no longer just writers - sadly...
ReplyDeleteGood questions!! The first thing that comes to mind for mine is that fantasy is a very popular genre (especially now thanks to JK Rowling and the writer of the Hunger Games). Also, this novel is about strength and learning about who you are and fighting for that and I think it's something everyone we can relate to.
ReplyDeleteIt felt nice to say that! :)
i wish to be a writer too ! and publish my book . so i reckon i will go through this too ?
ReplyDeleteI have an award for you. Should you choose to accept it, you may pick it up here: http://lgkeltner.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-liebster-award.html
ReplyDeleteGood advice! And you know what? A lot of agents say that they actually judge more on sample pages than on the query, so if you query enough then your pages won't go unread. Good luck!
ReplyDelete