Haven’t done one of these in a while, so I thought I would open things up so everyone can talk about what they want to talk about. I’ll try my best to stop by to answer all questions.
Everyone, jump in the pool!
Reader Interactions
Comments
Anonymoussays
A while back I read a series of interviews with new(?) authors where they were trying to determine the correlation of cats and writers. I understand it was more of a joke than anything, but the consensus was that a majority of writers have cats or come across as cat-people.
Personally, I think writers are like cats because we insist on being left alone to do our own thing but insist that someone tell us how wonderful we are from time-to-time. Not to mention that we spend a lot of our time attempting to perfect ourselves. ๐
Re: “so everyone can talk about what they want to talk about”
Wow, everyone seems to have very specific questions about querying and so on…this evening in Michigan has been one of lovely immensity…I think it’s the crickets adding another dimension…and speaking of added dimensions…I’ve noticed in a McDonald’s in Ann Arbor (of all places), they now have a TV going all the time…with Fox News…so today I inquired (very politely, I didn’t want to get “deleted” from McDonald’s!) who decides what channel the dining room TV is on…and a man laughed out loud – my questions (which relate to media conglomeration, which I don’t usually think of fast food being in that mix) made him laugh. A “silver-haired gentleman” as they say in certain kinds of novels.
And afterward I wondered, did I ask because of yesterday’s “tin foil” political exchanges on this blog? Was a BLOG actually influencing my behavior in REAL LIFE? Or would I have gone ahead and asked anyway? Quite strange.
Hmm, what else do I want to talk about…also I notice, everyday rattle.com posts a new poem…every single day you get a new poem from this intentionally eclectic poetry journal…I mean, they print every kind of poem…and the blog is a bit…constipated…meaning, if you get 1 posted response it’s amazing, 2 is phenomenal, 3 is miraculous…and yet, when it comes to querying, you can easily get dozens of posts…aren’t poems more interesting and thought-provoking than querying? Even to readers of poetry? Maybe not…
Well, the last thing on my mind before I go take my cats for a walk…there’s a group in Michigan selling stainless steel water bottles…5% of proceeds goes to Clean Water Action…I want to email them and ask: Where, if you don’t mind my asking, are these stainless steel bottles manufactured? In Detroit, former “Arsenal of Democracy,” bastion of American manufacturing, birthplace of the Model T, etc, etc…or maybe, overseas somewhere? Can’t we make stainless steel water bottles…here?
Sometimes you like to think, things are changing because I’m asking questions. Is that true?
Well, that’s all I want to talk about. Thanks for asking!
So — anyone? How does one go about finding good feedback?
crapometer.blogspot.com
other writers in a local writers org.
critters.org
Short story editors. Seriously, we’re much more likely to give you honest feedback than anyone else. And if you get feedback in a rejection, you’re on the right track!
Whoa, whoa, hold up a minute! Let’s get some real questions answered here please.
What do you do when you’re an aspiring author who is on a crash course with the fantasy football season? I’ve got my first live NFL draft tomorrow, and I’m smack in the middle of the first draft of my first attempt at a novel.
What are my priorities here? I want to maintain face with my buddies, yet I also want to succeed desperately. . .at both. . . . HELP!
If I could remove the “you…hot…profile…” comment from my earlier post, it might make it more reader friendly (as in, you wouldn’t have to feel inclined to accept or decline the compliment, thereby possibly increasing my chances of having one of questions referred to or maybe even answered?)
๐
Just wondering…..!
Although, I am very reluctant to remove the compliment, since I believe it’s true and you deserve to hear it.
And yes, I would be in for the whole fan club idea. I promise I wouldn’t stalk him either. lol!
I’m not really very picky about author websites, and honestly I think all of that is up to you. I wouldn’t necessarily consider online publishing a publishing credit unless it specifically relates to your work. Lastly, there’s information on writers conferences in the FAQ. Best of luck!
I have a completed romantic suspense novel that I wrote with Harlequin/Silhouette in mind. Now it is completed I am wondering if I should seek out an agent who handles this type of novel/genre or just submitting directly to Harlequin. Any words of advice would be appreciated.
God, I hate scifi programs that use current technology after a worldwide apocalypse! I’m thinking about shows like Mad Max, Waterwold and other similar ones.
Where will all those bullets and guns come from? How will the metal be smelted and refined?
How will the gasoline needed for cars and trucks get to them?
Don’t the authors of these even think about life without technology?
I don’t have a dog or a cat. I have a cockroach. It’s a lot like owning a cat, without the clawed furniture. He’s opinionated and very picky about his food. He doesn’t eat half the things the experts say he’ll eat (he doesn’t even like chocolate). People don’t think insects have personalities, but they do.
How did I end up with a cockroach who doesn’t like chocolate? That’s what I want to know.
How separate are the NY and California branches of Curtis Brown? In terms of querying, is a simultaneous submission to each coast out of the question? (Although from reading the FAQs, it looks like your answer is yes…)
Hi Nathan, Thanks for the open thread! My question is, if when I send out query letters I get back all form rejection letters, (hasn’t happened yet, but from what I’ve read it seems like a common scenario) how do I know if it’s the query letter or the novel concept that is being rejected? How do I know if I should just rewrite the description of the book in the query, or if it’s maybe time to move on to a novel with a different plot?
If you’re not getting any requests, yeah, something may be wrong with either the underlying idea or the query, but since you can’t change the underlying novel idea it would be time to try and shake up the pitch.
wickerman-
You watching this game??? I think we have our starting quarterback.
What would your advice be for a writer who has been working on a book for 2 years, inspired by a famous short story. Then a book comes out, also obviously inspired by the same short story–the premises are similar but they are different genres and completely different stories except for the inciting incident?
Will the already-published book make it harder for me to sell mine? I really can’t change the premise without totally altering the story I want to tell…
Oh, another question-for Nathan or anyone else who has an opinion. What are one or two activities that would be the best use of time for a beginning writer? (other than working on the writing and reading this blog) I know that’s kind of vague, but I want to leave it open to any kind of activity, especially things I haven’t thought of.
“So — anyone? How does one go about finding good feedback?”
For those of you not interested in online writing forums, I just found a great site this week called Crit Partner Match where members post profiles about what kind of writing they do and feedback they want and match you up with a CP (sort of like match.com)
btw – thanks for taking the time to do this, Nathan. As always, you’re the best!
I don’t know how to get good critiques from people either. I have no one I can trust to read my manuscript and give me valuable feedback. “That’s nice” could mean “It’s great because you’re my daughter” or “You worked hard on this, I’m not gonna tell you it sucks” or “I don’t care enough to give my opinion”
So my question is, Nathan, if I have no one to give me feedback, should I just complete it how I think is best and send a query off to your inbox to see what you think? Or is that too risky? Isn’t it better to know that an actual human likes it before you send it off into the professional world?
Never commented before, but I’m just thrilled you’re taking the time to answer all these questions…
Not sure you’re still checking in (Men’s beach volleyball final is on), but just in case, here’s my contribution:
I’ve written a romantic suspense novel that is Buffettesque in theme. I submitted the novel to a plethera of agents last year and received a plethera of form rejections. In the meantime, I have posted an excerpt of it on a new Jimmy Buffett fan site called “Meet The Phlockers”, which has over 5500 members. The positive response has been overwhelming (hundreds of comments thus far). I am thinking that self-publishing is my only route. Should I try querying agents again and mentioning the hundreds of JB fans that say they’re interested in buying my book, or should I dive into the world of Lulu.com?
I’m going to go completely off-topic (in terms of agent questions), because you’ve answered all of mine whether in blog posts or straight in the comment section.
So this is about the olympics. Are you watching the US basketball team? Did you see Le Bron dunk all over China? What did you make of Yao Ming’s game as he reped his home country? A lot of questions but you’re a b-ball fan whose opinion I’m interested in hearing.
Nathan, Hopefully, you might answer a late-night question. I’m getting ready to start querying agents for my novel. My question is this: Should I mention two short stories I published in two online literary journals that have since gone defunct? One actually had a print version (but only a couple made the print version, the other selections were online). The other journal was strictly online. Thanks and have a good evening. I am really enjoying this blog, which I just found.
Up to you! Honestly I don’t know that Internet fandom is going to be enough to sway an agent, but there’s no shame in self-publishing, particularly for something with a very specialized audience.
adaora-
I only saw US vs. China. The games are on at really bad times! But I’m glad to see they’re doing really well.
anon-
Up to you. Especially if they’re defunct I don’t know that they’re going to sway things either way, but i suppose some agents might look on it favorably.
No, not really. A couple of times I’ve accidentally sent a rejection when I meant to send a partial request (and I had to apologize and explain the error), but luckily no one has held that against me.
There are forums that critique query letters alongside ms – what are your thoughts on that? Should the writing reflect the author’s ability (usually the query foreshadows the quality of the ms).
I read in a recent post about prologues and how some agents will automatically reject a ms if it opens with a prologue.
Of course, I was horrified when I read this as I had just finished the first draft of my own novel the day before, and, of course, it opens with a prologue. Oh man…
Are prologues really that ‘overdone’?
If so, do I simply change ‘Prologue’ to read ‘Chapter One’?
My novel currently is on submission to a small, yet quite respectable, publisher. I do not yet have an agent, but I have read that it is MUCH easier to get one if a publisher has made an offer.
Question #1: Is this true?
Question #2: If I do get an offer from them, would you like to see a second query from me? (I have made significant changes since I queried you the first time).
How about tips on keeping yourself in touch with your family, eating and sociable – when in the depths of writing. The reasonable work hours doesn’t seem to work – if it’s flowing and I’m engrossed I get little sleep. I can only start my writing day at 8pm due to day job. I feel compelled to get it done but don’t want the rest of my life to suffer. Anyone have good practices that work for them?
Ken – funny books: Pat Wood’s Lottery has got to be in there, Holinghurst’s The line of Beauty is sharp, but the fave for now has to be Frantzen’s The Corrections.
All right, Nathan from your blog and advice I have established that I am nearly there – my query letters, my bio details (non fiction already published)get a good response. I send them the first four chapters and I am asked for more. Send the rest and months later I am told sorry but not for us. Do I start over, rewrite and can I approach the same publisher twice with the rewritten stuff or is it best to lick my wounds and find some new material.
All right, Nathan from your blog and advice I have established that I am nearly there – my query letters, my bio details (non fiction already published)get a good response. I send them the first four chapters and I am asked for more. Send the rest and months later I am told sorry but not for us. Do I start over, rewrite and can I approach the same publisher twice with the rewritten stuff or is it best to lick my wounds and find some new material.
Oh, darn, I missed this post last night! I do have a question that I don’t think you’ve addressed in your blog.
I have a fantasy novel I’ve sent to four large publishers (sans agent). One responded with a personal reject and a very in-depth critique, one a form reject, one was a non-response, and the fourth–well, the fourth would have made an offer, the editor told me, but their imprint closed. (Thus me posting anonymously.)
I’ve always assumed that once I’ve sent a manuscript to a publisher myself, no agent will want to see it. Is that always the case? Is it true in this case? I’m not sure what to do–there are only so many big publishers out there that’ll look at unagented subs. Thanks for any insights!
Last week a national movie with big name stars was billed as the “funniest movie ever”. They used the word retard, retarded and many other references to people with mental retardation in sterotypical and offensive ways.
When we confronted the producer, her reply was, “I didn’t know” and “It is too late to do anything about it.”
My question is, Do writers know that when they use the words “retard et al. moron, idiot, imbecile” as well as “spaz” “crippled”… they are continuing the stigma and pain for people with disabilities and their families? Is is a matter of “Gosh, I didn’t know” or is it just an insensitive, “Gosh, I really don’t give a damn.”
Is there any way you could add a rss feed for your comments? I can’t give directions off the top of my head, but I know I clicked something in Blogger for one of my own blogs and I now have a “subscribe” link just for comments (all comments from all posts at the same time)…I’d love to follow more comment threads but just don’t have the time to click on every post and scroll to see what I missed. It would be lovely for those of us on Google reader or another blog reader….
I queried you a long time ago before I had a clue about query letters. It was awful. Well the query is better and I still very much believe the story is a unique one. How do you feel about granting someone a Query Mulligan?
Picking up on the writers are cat people and agents are dog people – I have both. Yikes! What does that make me?
I don’t have a question. But I do have a new kitten which my daughter brought home from a camping trip. Some people were dumping it in the woods, so she picked it up and brought it home.
Actually I guess I do have a quesion – do you want a kitten? It’s really cute. You can see a little video clip of it playing on my blog. I’m sure agents could be cat people if they tried. (you don’t really have to answer – you’re too far away, even if you did want it – but maybe someone else out there is closer…)
I think that in a world where there are too many writers vs what could possibly be read, let alone published, by the big houses, the most important thing we can do is to develop a “minor league”.
Anyone who follows the minors knows that identification and development of talent go hand in hand, and that the real thrill is following a prospect up to the bigs.
I think that we can set up something like that with e-books or some other online mechanism – things that are sort of published, sort of not. The idea is to encourage community so that lots and lots of comments are given to the writer.
The more houses can do this, the easier it will be to get to know the talent. Ideally the “slush pile” will go away and Nathan won’t have to carry so many partials home with him.
I have mixed feelings about forums that critique query letters. On the one hand they can definitely help aspiring authors, and it’s a great service. On the other hand, if the forum is basically rewriting the query for the author rather than providing feedback…. that is something that just makes my life more difficult. I want to hear from the author on the strength of their own voice and abilities, not the abilities of a forum.
All the same, a certain degree of this is inevitable and if an author is going through this process it shows commitment and research and all the qualities I stress on the blog. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel a twinge of “hmmmmm” when I receive so many good query letters that don’t always match the writing level of the partial.
For a bio, I think agents are looking for just regular biographical details (where you live, what you do, how old you are) as well as publication credits, if any. And be sure and mention if you’re a tramp, agents love them.
De-lurking here to confess that I love your blog. Great that you opened up the thread to questions, as I have a problem for which I would like your advice. I am writing a novel in which a girl acquires a superhuman ability, sort of like Mel Gibson in What Women Want being able to read womenโs thoughts. The rest of the novel is contemporary and based in the real world. There are no elements of fantasy in the book apart from this. So what genre would this fall into? Just mainstream/commercial?
Would be glad to receive your input on this. Thanks!
Anonymous says
A while back I read a series of interviews with new(?) authors where they were trying to determine the correlation of cats and writers. I understand it was more of a joke than anything, but the consensus was that a majority of writers have cats or come across as cat-people.
Personally, I think writers are like cats because we insist on being left alone to do our own thing but insist that someone tell us how wonderful we are from time-to-time. Not to mention that we spend a lot of our time attempting to perfect ourselves. ๐
What do you suppose agents are, then? Dog-people?
Nathan Bransford says
anon-
That’s really funny. Just about every agent I know owns a dog.
RED STICK WRITER says
There are dog people, but there are no cat people. Those folks are simply known as slaves or attendants.
Wanda B. Ontheshelves says
Re: “so everyone can talk about what they want to talk about”
Wow, everyone seems to have very specific questions about querying and so on…this evening in Michigan has been one of lovely immensity…I think it’s the crickets adding another dimension…and speaking of added dimensions…I’ve noticed in a McDonald’s in Ann Arbor (of all places), they now have a TV going all the time…with Fox News…so today I inquired (very politely, I didn’t want to get “deleted” from McDonald’s!) who decides what channel the dining room TV is on…and a man laughed out loud – my questions (which relate to media conglomeration, which I don’t usually think of fast food being in that mix) made him laugh. A “silver-haired gentleman” as they say in certain kinds of novels.
And afterward I wondered, did I ask because of yesterday’s “tin foil” political exchanges on this blog? Was a BLOG actually influencing my behavior in REAL LIFE? Or would I have gone ahead and asked anyway? Quite strange.
Hmm, what else do I want to talk about…also I notice, everyday rattle.com posts a new poem…every single day you get a new poem from this intentionally eclectic poetry journal…I mean, they print every kind of poem…and the blog is a bit…constipated…meaning, if you get 1 posted response it’s amazing, 2 is phenomenal, 3 is miraculous…and yet, when it comes to querying, you can easily get dozens of posts…aren’t poems more interesting and thought-provoking than querying? Even to readers of poetry? Maybe not…
Well, the last thing on my mind before I go take my cats for a walk…there’s a group in Michigan selling stainless steel water bottles…5% of proceeds goes to Clean Water Action…I want to email them and ask: Where, if you don’t mind my asking, are these stainless steel bottles manufactured? In Detroit, former “Arsenal of Democracy,” bastion of American manufacturing, birthplace of the Model T, etc, etc…or maybe, overseas somewhere? Can’t we make stainless steel water bottles…here?
Sometimes you like to think, things are changing because I’m asking questions. Is that true?
Well, that’s all I want to talk about. Thanks for asking!
sex scenes at starbucks says
So — anyone? How does one go about finding good feedback?
crapometer.blogspot.com
other writers in a local writers org.
critters.org
Short story editors. Seriously, we’re much more likely to give you honest feedback than anyone else. And if you get feedback in a rejection, you’re on the right track!
J.P. Kurzitza says
Whoa, whoa, hold up a minute! Let’s get some real questions answered here please.
What do you do when you’re an aspiring author who is on a crash course with the fantasy football season? I’ve got my first live NFL draft tomorrow, and I’m smack in the middle of the first draft of my first attempt at a novel.
What are my priorities here? I want to maintain face with my buddies, yet I also want to succeed desperately. . .at both. . . . HELP!
(Tongue firmly in cheek)
Anonymous says
Hi Nathan,
If I could remove the “you…hot…profile…” comment from my earlier post, it might make it more reader friendly (as in, you wouldn’t have to feel inclined to accept or decline the compliment, thereby possibly increasing my chances of having one of questions referred to or maybe even answered?)
๐
Just wondering…..!
Although, I am very reluctant to remove the compliment, since I believe it’s true and you deserve to hear it.
And yes, I would be in for the whole fan club idea. I promise I wouldn’t stalk him either. lol!
anon 5:06
Nathan Bransford says
anon-
I’m not really very picky about author websites, and honestly I think all of that is up to you. I wouldn’t necessarily consider online publishing a publishing credit unless it specifically relates to your work. Lastly, there’s information on writers conferences in the FAQ. Best of luck!
Just Joan says
Greetings from Melbourne, Australia.
I have a completed romantic suspense novel that I wrote with Harlequin/Silhouette in mind. Now it is completed I am wondering if I should seek out an agent who handles this type of novel/genre or just submitting directly to Harlequin.
Any words of advice would be appreciated.
Thanks for your time.
Nathan Bransford says
just joan-
Find an agent.
danceluvr says
God, I hate scifi programs that use current technology after a worldwide apocalypse! I’m thinking about shows like Mad Max, Waterwold and other similar ones.
Where will all those bullets and guns come from? How will the metal be smelted and refined?
How will the gasoline needed for cars and trucks get to them?
Don’t the authors of these even think about life without technology?
Argh!
Sorry, I just had to let off some steam.
Polenth says
I want a dragon inflatable if we’re swimming!
I don’t have a dog or a cat. I have a cockroach. It’s a lot like owning a cat, without the clawed furniture. He’s opinionated and very picky about his food. He doesn’t eat half the things the experts say he’ll eat (he doesn’t even like chocolate). People don’t think insects have personalities, but they do.
How did I end up with a cockroach who doesn’t like chocolate? That’s what I want to know.
Anonymous says
How separate are the NY and California branches of Curtis Brown? In terms of querying, is a simultaneous submission to each coast out of the question? (Although from reading the FAQs, it looks like your answer is yes…)
Nathan Bransford says
anon-
Yeah, we talk all the time. It would be a simultaneous query.
maryhaas says
Hi Nathan,
Thanks for the open thread! My question is, if when I send out query letters I get back all form rejection letters, (hasn’t happened yet, but from what I’ve read it seems like a common scenario) how do I know if it’s the query letter or the novel concept that is being rejected? How do I know if I should just rewrite the description of the book in the query, or if it’s maybe time to move on to a novel with a different plot?
Nathan Bransford says
mary-
If you’re not getting any requests, yeah, something may be wrong with either the underlying idea or the query, but since you can’t change the underlying novel idea it would be time to try and shake up the pitch.
wickerman-
You watching this game??? I think we have our starting quarterback.
Anonymous says
What would your advice be for a writer who has been working on a book for 2 years, inspired by a famous short story. Then a book comes out, also obviously inspired by the same short story–the premises are similar but they are different genres and completely different stories except for the inciting incident?
Will the already-published book make it harder for me to sell mine? I really can’t change the premise without totally altering the story I want to tell…
Nathan Bransford says
anon-
Just make it as good as possible and see what happens. Similar books get published all the time.
maryhaas.com says
Oh, another question-for Nathan or anyone else who has an opinion. What are one or two activities that would be the best use of time for a beginning writer? (other than working on the writing and reading this blog) I know that’s kind of vague, but I want to leave it open to any kind of activity, especially things I haven’t thought of.
AJ says
“So — anyone? How does one go about finding good feedback?”
For those of you not interested in online writing forums, I just found a great site this week called Crit Partner Match where members post profiles about what kind of writing they do and feedback they want and match you up with a CP (sort of like match.com)
btw – thanks for taking the time to do this, Nathan. As always, you’re the best!
Lauren Fobbs says
Hi, Nathan, how are you?
I don’t know how to get good critiques from people either. I have no one I can trust to read my manuscript and give me valuable feedback. “That’s nice” could mean “It’s great because you’re my daughter” or “You worked hard on this, I’m not gonna tell you it sucks” or “I don’t care enough to give my opinion”
So my question is, Nathan, if I have no one to give me feedback, should I just complete it how I think is best and send a query off to your inbox to see what you think? Or is that too risky? Isn’t it better to know that an actual human likes it before you send it off into the professional world?
Anonymous says
Nathan,
Never commented before, but I’m just thrilled you’re taking the time to answer all these questions…
Not sure you’re still checking in (Men’s beach volleyball final is on), but just in case, here’s my contribution:
I’ve written a romantic suspense novel that is Buffettesque in theme. I submitted the novel to a plethera of agents last year and received a plethera of form rejections. In the meantime, I have posted an excerpt of it on a new Jimmy Buffett fan site called “Meet The Phlockers”, which has over 5500 members. The positive response has been overwhelming (hundreds of comments thus far). I am thinking that self-publishing is my only route. Should I try querying agents again and mentioning the hundreds of JB fans that say they’re interested in buying my book, or should I dive into the world of Lulu.com?
Adaora A. says
I’m going to go completely off-topic (in terms of agent questions), because you’ve answered all of mine whether in blog posts or straight in the comment section.
So this is about the olympics. Are you watching the US basketball team? Did you see Le Bron dunk all over China? What did you make of Yao Ming’s game as he reped his home country? A lot of questions but you’re a b-ball fan whose opinion I’m interested in hearing.
Anonymous says
Nathan,
Hopefully, you might answer a late-night question.
I’m getting ready to start querying agents for my novel. My question is this: Should I mention two short stories I published in two online literary journals that have since gone defunct? One actually had a print version (but only a couple made the print version, the other selections were online). The other journal was strictly online.
Thanks and have a good evening. I am really enjoying this blog, which I just found.
Nathan Bransford says
anon-
Up to you! Honestly I don’t know that Internet fandom is going to be enough to sway an agent, but there’s no shame in self-publishing, particularly for something with a very specialized audience.
adaora-
I only saw US vs. China. The games are on at really bad times! But I’m glad to see they’re doing really well.
anon-
Up to you. Especially if they’re defunct I don’t know that they’re going to sway things either way, but i suppose some agents might look on it favorably.
Kim says
Do you ever change your mind about a query/partial or full, post-rejection?
Pamela Davies says
I am blogging today on the writing life. Would love comments.
https://queuebooks.blogspot.com/2008/08/on-writing-life.html
Nathan Bransford says
kim-
No, not really. A couple of times I’ve accidentally sent a rejection when I meant to send a partial request (and I had to apologize and explain the error), but luckily no one has held that against me.
Wanda B. Ontheshelves says
Polenth,
Re: “How did I end up with a cockroach who doesn’t like chocolate? That’s what I want to know.”
Please write out the rest of this as a Kafka-flavored short story.
Heather Zundel says
Thanks for the tip on trend/genre watching.
There are forums that critique query letters alongside ms – what are your thoughts on that? Should the writing reflect the author’s ability (usually the query foreshadows the quality of the ms).
And Polenth – what about white chocolate?
Anonymous says
Great thread, Nathan.
I read in a recent post about prologues and how some agents will automatically reject a ms if it opens with a prologue.
Of course, I was horrified when I read this as I had just finished the first draft of my own novel the day before, and, of course, it opens with a prologue. Oh man…
Are prologues really that ‘overdone’?
If so, do I simply change ‘Prologue’ to read ‘Chapter One’?
Thanks,
Sandra
(I’ve forgotten my google pw)
The Disgruntled Bear says
Nathan,
My novel currently is on submission to a small, yet quite respectable, publisher. I do not yet have an agent, but I have read that it is MUCH easier to get one if a publisher has made an offer.
Question #1: Is this true?
Question #2: If I do get an offer from them, would you like to see a second query from me? (I have made significant changes since I queried you the first time).
Polenth says
Wanda, If I ever write a story starting with that line, I’ll dedicate it to you.
Heather, He doesn’t like any form of chocolate (or anything else sugary, including fruit). He’s just fussy.
the Amateur Book Blogger says
How about tips on keeping yourself in touch with your family, eating and sociable – when in the depths of writing. The reasonable work hours doesn’t seem to work – if it’s flowing and I’m engrossed I get little sleep. I can only start my writing day at 8pm due to day job. I feel compelled to get it done but don’t want the rest of my life to suffer. Anyone have good practices that work for them?
Ken – funny books: Pat Wood’s Lottery has got to be in there, Holinghurst’s The line of Beauty is sharp, but the fave for now has to be Frantzen’s The Corrections.
Anonymous says
All right, Nathan from your blog and advice I have established that I am nearly there – my query letters, my bio details (non fiction already published)get a good response. I send them the first four chapters and I am asked for more. Send the rest and months later I am told sorry but not for us. Do I start over, rewrite and can I approach the same publisher twice with the rewritten stuff or is it best to lick my wounds and find some new material.
Anonymous says
All right, Nathan from your blog and advice I have established that I am nearly there – my query letters, my bio details (non fiction already published)get a good response. I send them the first four chapters and I am asked for more. Send the rest and months later I am told sorry but not for us. Do I start over, rewrite and can I approach the same publisher twice with the rewritten stuff or is it best to lick my wounds and find some new material.
kidcuisine says
So, I’ll take that as a “no”…?
Maris Bosquet says
Great thread, Nathan. Thanks! Oh, no questions from me, though. Everybody else has already asked what I would have asked. I’m just enjoying the read.
Whirlochre says
Some agents I’ve researched request a biog along with all the usual stuff.
Pub credits and writerly experience aside, what else might they be looking for here?
And what if you’re a tramp?
Anonymous says
Oh, darn, I missed this post last night! I do have a question that I don’t think you’ve addressed in your blog.
I have a fantasy novel I’ve sent to four large publishers (sans agent). One responded with a personal reject and a very in-depth critique, one a form reject, one was a non-response, and the fourth–well, the fourth would have made an offer, the editor told me, but their imprint closed. (Thus me posting anonymously.)
I’ve always assumed that once I’ve sent a manuscript to a publisher myself, no agent will want to see it. Is that always the case? Is it true in this case? I’m not sure what to do–there are only so many big publishers out there that’ll look at unagented subs. Thanks for any insights!
maryotten says
Nathan,
Last week a national movie with big name stars was billed as the “funniest movie ever”. They used the word retard, retarded and many other references to people with mental retardation in sterotypical and offensive ways.
When we confronted the producer, her reply was, “I didn’t know” and “It is too late to do anything about it.”
My question is, Do writers know that when they use the words “retard et al. moron, idiot, imbecile” as well as “spaz” “crippled”… they are continuing the stigma and pain for people with disabilities and their families? Is is a matter of “Gosh, I didn’t know” or is it just an insensitive, “Gosh, I really don’t give a damn.”
Kristi says
Is there any way you could add a rss feed for your comments? I can’t give directions off the top of my head, but I know I clicked something in Blogger for one of my own blogs and I now have a “subscribe” link just for comments (all comments from all posts at the same time)…I’d love to follow more comment threads but just don’t have the time to click on every post and scroll to see what I missed. It would be lovely for those of us on Google reader or another blog reader….
Stew says
Nathan,
I queried you a long time ago before I had a clue about query letters. It was awful. Well the query is better and I still very much believe the story is a unique one.
How do you feel about granting someone a Query Mulligan?
Anonymous says
Do you ever get “vibes” from someone who posts on your blog and would prefer not to work with them based on those feelings?
ICQB says
Picking up on the writers are cat people and agents are dog people – I have both. Yikes! What does that make me?
I don’t have a question. But I do have a new kitten which my daughter brought home from a camping trip. Some people were dumping it in the woods, so she picked it up and brought it home.
Actually I guess I do have a quesion – do you want a kitten? It’s really cute. You can see a little video clip of it playing on my blog. I’m sure agents could be cat people if they tried. (you don’t really have to answer – you’re too far away, even if you did want it – but maybe someone else out there is closer…)
Erik says
I think that in a world where there are too many writers vs what could possibly be read, let alone published, by the big houses, the most important thing we can do is to develop a “minor league”.
Anyone who follows the minors knows that identification and development of talent go hand in hand, and that the real thrill is following a prospect up to the bigs.
I think that we can set up something like that with e-books or some other online mechanism – things that are sort of published, sort of not. The idea is to encourage community so that lots and lots of comments are given to the writer.
The more houses can do this, the easier it will be to get to know the talent. Ideally the “slush pile” will go away and Nathan won’t have to carry so many partials home with him.
Nathan Bransford says
heather-
I have mixed feelings about forums that critique query letters. On the one hand they can definitely help aspiring authors, and it’s a great service. On the other hand, if the forum is basically rewriting the query for the author rather than providing feedback…. that is something that just makes my life more difficult. I want to hear from the author on the strength of their own voice and abilities, not the abilities of a forum.
All the same, a certain degree of this is inevitable and if an author is going through this process it shows commitment and research and all the qualities I stress on the blog. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel a twinge of “hmmmmm” when I receive so many good query letters that don’t always match the writing level of the partial.
Nathan Bransford says
amateur book blogger-
For tips on balancing work and family life, check out this post by my client Rebecca Ramsey (and while you’re at it, check out her amazing blog)
Nathan Bransford says
whirlochre-
For a bio, I think agents are looking for just regular biographical details (where you live, what you do, how old you are) as well as publication credits, if any. And be sure and mention if you’re a tramp, agents love them.
GM says
Hi Nathan
De-lurking here to confess that I love your blog. Great that you opened up the thread to questions, as I have a problem for which I would like your advice. I am writing a novel in which a girl acquires a superhuman ability, sort of like Mel Gibson in What Women Want being able to read womenโs thoughts. The rest of the novel is contemporary and based in the real world. There are no elements of fantasy in the book apart from this. So what genre would this fall into? Just mainstream/commercial?
Would be glad to receive your input on this. Thanks!