A little tip.
I don't care HOW suspenseful you think the story is/should be, if an agency requests a synopsis then send one.
I requested the first few chapters and a 3-5 page synopsis. I received the first few chapters and no synopsis. I wrote back and reminded him to send the 3-5 page synopsis.
This is the response I got (more or less): The prologue should serve as a synopsis and must be read with as little information as possible. We need to keep suspense. If you read it you'll see what I mean.
Seriously?
First off, a synopsis is requested so we know how the story ends. This is important, because it shows us three things: you know how the story will end; you have a grip on the outline and plot of your own story; and we know whether or not the ending makes sense with how the rest of the story unfolds. I really don't want to sift through 500+ pages of words if you don't even know how your own story is going to unfold.
Bottom line: if we ask for it, there's a reason.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Slush Junkie
The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem.
This, I will not do. Why? Because I like slush, and that is not a problem. Some agents may lift an eyebrow or just laugh out loud (trust me, it happens allllll the time), but it's cool.
Slush rules. ::pumps fist::
It's where some (scratch that - all) new authors are discovered. Sure it's a pain in the ass when I get a query where the author has decided to just simply ignore the submission guidelines (because they're the "exception") or not even bother to look them up at all, but in the end it's really fascinating to me the types of stories people pitch (or don't pitch - some queries are just ramblings of an unorganized mind).
I can't guarantee I'll be as resourceful as the amazing Nathan Bransford, as funny and insightful as the witty Colleen Lindsay, as hilarious and brutal as the infamous Janet Reid, or as secretive as the sneaky Editorial Anonymous. I can, however, promise to be entertaining, informative, and up-to-date with my posts and information. I completely admire these three agents and editor, and I hope I can provide information to potential writers out there who are interested in learning more about the difficult and rewarding industry we all know as publishing.
Occasionally I'll throw up a post or two about book reviews, but for the most part this will be a blog for query adivce and other notes on book publishing. Please note: I will not accept queries for consideration through the blog. You don't even know which agency I'm associated with, so you wouldn't be able to query me through here. Do your homework by searching sites such as Publisher's Marketplace, Agent Query, or Query Tracker to find agents who accept your manuscript's genre.
If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me at slushjunkie@gmail.com . I can't promise an immediate response, but I can promise to respond to you in the *near* future.
Happy reading!
SJ
This, I will not do. Why? Because I like slush, and that is not a problem. Some agents may lift an eyebrow or just laugh out loud (trust me, it happens allllll the time), but it's cool.
Slush rules. ::pumps fist::
It's where some (scratch that - all) new authors are discovered. Sure it's a pain in the ass when I get a query where the author has decided to just simply ignore the submission guidelines (because they're the "exception") or not even bother to look them up at all, but in the end it's really fascinating to me the types of stories people pitch (or don't pitch - some queries are just ramblings of an unorganized mind).
I can't guarantee I'll be as resourceful as the amazing Nathan Bransford, as funny and insightful as the witty Colleen Lindsay, as hilarious and brutal as the infamous Janet Reid, or as secretive as the sneaky Editorial Anonymous. I can, however, promise to be entertaining, informative, and up-to-date with my posts and information. I completely admire these three agents and editor, and I hope I can provide information to potential writers out there who are interested in learning more about the difficult and rewarding industry we all know as publishing.
Occasionally I'll throw up a post or two about book reviews, but for the most part this will be a blog for query adivce and other notes on book publishing. Please note: I will not accept queries for consideration through the blog. You don't even know which agency I'm associated with, so you wouldn't be able to query me through here. Do your homework by searching sites such as Publisher's Marketplace, Agent Query, or Query Tracker to find agents who accept your manuscript's genre.
If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me at slushjunkie@gmail.com . I can't promise an immediate response, but I can promise to respond to you in the *near* future.
Happy reading!
SJ
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