Querying is the fancy term for \u201csending an email to an agent asking them to represent you.\u201d There are a ton of websites with query guidelines and etiquette, but here\u2019s a fast and dirty summary.<\/em><\/p>\n A good query will include THREE ELEMENTS:<\/em><\/p>\n I also recommend including a tailored message to the agent. Something like, \u201cI\u2019m querying you b\/c of your interest in ancient mythology retellings.\u201d \u00a0As you may have guessed, your agent research will really come in handy here. Did you read that post on their blog about how they are sooooo over weak heroines? Then tell them you agree and that\u2019s why\u00a0you’ve\u00a0written a kick-ass female lead who saves the prince but\u00a0doesn’t\u00a0marry him! In other words, take a page out of Rihanna\u2019s songbook, and make them feel like\u00a0they\u2019re the only agent in the world.<\/em><\/p>\n Man, am I clever.<\/p>\n Shortly after I wrote that post, I began tweeting an offer for free QL feedback (follow me on twitter<\/a> and retweet this post to win one today!).<\/strong> The response was overwhelmingly positive. Although there are a lot of resources out there, it’s hard to beat one-on-one attention, so I was super happy to get into the nitty-gritty with individual authors. That being said, I’d like to help you all<\/em> from looking like this when it comes time to write your summary:<\/p>\n The (Dreaded) Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n The biggest hurdle in query writing is coming up with a summary of your novel that is snappy and interesting, but\u00a0doesn’t\u00a0get stuck in the details.\u00a0Here are the main things you need to have in your summary paragraph(s):<\/p>\n Getting the best out of using Propecia:Propecia must be taken on a daily basis. viagra online generic<\/a> The product of Ajanta pharma is infused with superior composition which regulates the action and outcomes of various hormonal and enzymatic changes; therefore, higher the levels get viagra online<\/a> of DHT, more is the hair falling. His partner, in turn, feels rejected and isolated, hampering the relationship. levitra india price<\/a> According to American Urological Association, sexual deficiencies can be caused by a number of sexual dysfunctions to help couples enjoy a healthy sexual relationship. sildenafil espa\u00f1a respitecaresa.org<\/a> <\/span>\t<\/p>\n 1. The Main Character\u2019s NAME and AGE<\/strong>\u00a0is pretty self explanatory, but I will say this: there is a HUGE difference between a 13-year-old and a 16-year-old, so if you’re writing a YA and you say “teen”…you’re not doing yourself any favors.<\/p>\n 2.<\/strong> The\u00a0<\/strong>Main Character’s WANTS\/NEEDS<\/strong>\u00a0are the key to making your character come alive for the reader. It’s almost impossible to connect with a character if you don’t know what they want out of life (or at least out of the next 200 pages of your book), so spill the beans!\u00a0What drives your character? Do they want nothing more than to finally make the soccer team, or are they on a quest to capture the last Bavarian Beetle on Earth? Whatever it is, let us know!<\/p>\n Warning<\/span><\/em>:<\/p>\n Do not overload the reader with unnecessary details. They will sink your summary ship. Not sure if a detail is important? Try removing it from the query altogether and see if it damages the integrity (i.e. logic) of the summary.<\/p>\n 3.\u00a0<\/strong>Explaining the CONFLICT that the MC is facing<\/strong>\u00a0is one of the hardest steps because you have to find a way of setting up the CONFLICT without sounding like you’re auditioning for a remake of Dude Where’s My Car? \u00a0<\/em>(and then…and then…) I find that the best way to go about setting up the conflict is by using the WHEN\/THEN structure.<\/p>\n Example:<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n WHEN Harry receives a letter inviting him to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, he must [IMPLIED THEN] decide if he can possible leave his lovely Muggle Family behind.<\/p>\n Haaaa, yeah right. But the point is this: by using the when\/then approach, you set up a cause\/effect relationship between plot points that makes your summary easy to follow.<\/p>\n\n
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\nSo, without further delay, I give you…<\/p>\n\n