Resting On Our Laurels As Well As the Laurels of Others
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
As you may remember, a while back we had a Contest (which, if we do say so ourself, was the most amazing contest in the history of publishing, thanks to YOU!!). Contest winner Ulysses has posted his Prize, a critique of his query by our illustrious person, on his very thoughtful blog. We do not generally engage in query critiques, as there are people who are much better at it than we are to help you; but if you are curious as to what it might look like if we sharked you, go investigate.
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Excellent work. Don't be so hard on yourself.
Le. R - i don't think you're as harsh a critiquer as i think you think you are...
Good critique. Also, someone would have me at hello if they sent me cheese - there is nothing better - well, unless they included a bottle of vino to go along with it.
Just read the query and the critique. Can't help but agree -- I had all the same questions. Nice work.
I've stopped hitting the over-kill panic meter that leaves me frozen at the thought of writing a query, but it's a close thing. These kind of contests and bloggin the results help.
Seriously, I have a couple of stories *this* close to finished. Say less than 20k with the rest edited by me at least once and waiting for my editing team. I believe that part of that reason is if I finish it, I have to query it.
I finished a fantasy rough draft for NanoWrimo. How? By knowing the whole way that it will need serious edits! So, not finished :)
I have a short story which might be made into a series. But I honestly believe that's because I've blogged enough with the editor that she knows I'm not an idiot and that I'm willing to cut and rearrange to their hearts content as long as I get to keep my voice, so to speak.
It was NOT because my query letter was all so awesome (I included pages. That is what hooked them, I think. so thanks for doing this critique and I agree with Falen - You may not be as harsh as you think you are. Blunt, honest? Yep. Harsh? Nope.
"We know a query is a crazy shit-ton of pressure"
This may be the best line ever in a critique.
We love you like a fat kid loves cake.
Okay, that was super helpful for my query as well :). Thank you from the sidelines!
I have nothing to add. Tkx to LeR for the contest and tkx to Ulysses for the post.
I just had to comment since my name appears twice in the title of the post.
Laurel, I am so glad I wandered back here this evening and saw your comment. The first thing I thought of when I saw the post title this morning was, "Hey, I wonder if Laurel is connected to this post somehow." Haha. Are we not like a family here? A dysfunctional one maybe, but yes, we are.
Okay, I am off to drug-induced sleepy-land now. Worst. Migraine. Ever.
My thanks to everyone, especially the owner of this here house. I hope you all find it even a small bit as instructive as I did.
Oooooh shiny query help for me to play with! Hee hee this is better than my husband's car keys.
Thank you for the insight, the humor, and your generous acknowledgement of the blistering pressure to write a query that will:
a) result in request for partial/full manuscript
b)escape ridicule for obvious errors
Excellent work. Don't be so hard on yourself.
Work from home India
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