Too many long queries lately.
Don’t.
Nathan Bransford | Writing, Book Editing, Publishing
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Nathan Bransford
Helping authors achieve their dreams
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Nathan,
How long is too long, exactly?
Heather-
The more important thing isn’t length per se, but whether it’s concise. A query should only contain what is absolutely necessary.
Can I take my query back and switch it out then? (and include 30 pages in the body?)Kidding, kinda
LOL.
It could be worse. You could be getting the disturbing, short queries:
“Dear Mr. Bransford,
I left my manuscript under your pillow.
Read it.
Or else.”
Most queries should be no longer than a one page letter. That’s less than 500 words with the salutations and stuff.
There are reasons to go longer. A non-fiction book may be longer. But generally, one page.
I regularly blog over at the “Evil Editor” and help get queries in good order for people to submit to agents. It’s well worth the effort to ask for some advice.
Brevity…wit.
Your headline was too long.
Mr. Bransford
Is a query ever so antagonizing to you that the writer gets no answer at all – not even the no-thanks form-letter?
anon-
Let’s put it this way — if I know it’s a query, I’ll respond.
And no, believe it or not I don’t always know if it’s a query.
Ok.
O
The best responses from queries I ever received were based on one page, with a three line description of the plot.
It’s harder to do this than it is to write a short story, but it works. And that’s why it’s important to actually practice writing queries.
Queries are all about fast, smooth landings; not circling the airport.
That information is very helpful. It would have been even more helpful on July 3, before sending out my queries. Maybe I can change my name.
My Query Haiku:
100,000
words, immortal character
plus Ann Arbor types
***
actually, correct
description of my novel –
try yourself, it’s fun!
***
will stop now, before
wear out haiku welcome at
Nathan Bransford’s blog
Nathan,
But good is good, right? You’re not going to pass on a well-written query just because it’s too long…
anon-
If it’s good it means it’s not too long.
Touche.
!
O.K.
Nathan,
Sign me.
(Short enough? 😀 )
LOL. I love this blog.
I’m going to have to go back through your past posts to see how you feel about synopsis lengths.
I know this is slightly off-topic, but still pertaining to queries…Nathan, how do you feel about references in a query to editors having requested a manuscript at a conference? In the very first letter on Query Shark’s site, she says that she basically disregards such references, because editors at conferences tend to request everything. What if they only request about one-third, or less, of the manuscripts that are pitched? In your opinion, does referring to an editor’s request do more harm than good in a query?
I don’t mind the line, but it’s not really going to sway me either way. I would like to know at where it’s been at some point, but it doesn’t have to be a the query stage.
So there you have it. Neutral.
Wanda – “actually” is 4 syllables, which makes that line 6 not 5 syllables. 😉
Unless you pronounce “actually” like “aktcherly”, which most people do. In which case, you’re fine.
Mr. Meredith, whatta ya mean by “cheatin'”?
Thanks,
Slugs
Hi Ruth,
Actually, I am
An “aktcherly” kind of gal
Myself, in haiku
🙂
Nice reply, Wanda!
I’m hopeless at haiku – and
say “aktcherly” too. 🙂