Part 1 in a series of writing tips
I got a lot of help and ideas from the great community at Zoetrope, including help with my query. I’ve tried out this system and I’ve had good results, though no new agent, yet.
Based on my own experience of recruitment (though technically you are hiring the agent) I reckon you’ve got 5 seconds - probably less, to impress her. So write a great query, and make sure the first line is amazing.
Do a google search - there is plenty of advice and many examples out there. This time, I used the sample letter on absolutewrite.com to model my query on.
Don’t send 3 chapters. This is a query, not a submission. 9 times out of 10 the agent won’t read beyond the first few lines.
Do add the opening paragraph, or 1st page of your novel, so the agent can get an idea of your style.
Don’t send anything else, but do offer to send whatever the agency guidelines state if they want to take things further.
I’ve saved a lot of postage costs by using this method, and no one has turned me down for not following their guidelines.
Finally, If you have any leverage, for example an interested publisher, use it. I landed my 1st agent that way.
Next time: how to write a persuasive synopsis.
Tags: writing|
