Querying, if you didn't know, is a bit like asking a girl to dance at a school disco when you're twelve. You spend ages wondering what to say, even longer working out the correct order of words, and then, when you finally pluck up the courage to ask, you get either ignored, laughed at or on very rare occasions, invited to submit the first fifty pages.
Actually, thinking about it, kids these days probably ask each other for a dance by text or MSN or whatever.
So then, first draft.
Dear ....
I am seeking representation for my novel, Too Big To Fail.
What if the banks had been allowed to fail?
Rob, a small town newspaper reporter, watched first the banks collapse then the government and eventually the world's banking system. A mysterious overseas consortium's offer to bail out Britain left Rob wondering at what price. After printing his own paper telling the truth, the secret police track and capture him. Escaping after a lorry accident near a holding centre, Rob and four other detainees run for their lives.
Too Big To Fail follows Rob and his companion as they run night and day through the New Forest. Eventually recaptured, they're sent to a dissident holding centre where the consortium's real aims become clear. Determined to make a difference, the group combine their efforts and plan to fight back against the consortium.
etc
So, if this was a disco and you the person I was asking, would you say yes or would you tell all your mates then laugh at me for a month?
Answers on a postcard to...
2 comments:
I'd say yes.
Anyway, back to the manuscript :-)) Yes, I really like this approach. It's very different to mine where I usually talk about why I'm interested in the agency first but your way has much more immediacy. As a matter of interest, if the agent's subs criteria was a covering letter and synopsis, would you simply include the first paragraph of the blurb you have here (I think that would work)?
Love the opening question.
For what it's worth, I think it's great - best of luck submitting and keep us posted!
Oh, and by the way, I think the asking probably is done by text. The 'my mate likes you,' thing is certainly alive and kicking by text from our house! Mind you, soon it will all be done by on-line dating agencies anyway.
I am a ray of sunshine today I see.
Thanks, I knew I could rely on you for not only help with queries, but also the dating trends of the teenagers.
You've had more success than me, so I may try your way instead, but previously I've always done skimpy details first, then why I'm sending it to them. Finally I add a little bit about me. So as such, it is a covering letter query.
Don't know whether to include the rhetorical question, some people say it's a no no, but it does get the point across eaily.
It won't just be online dating agencies. Soon children will be so obese and lazy they'll all be schooled at home too. With all dating done via the internet/mobile phone, birth rates will fall, society will collapse and Dominos Pizza will rule the world. Maybe.
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