A quick bit of query advice for this Thursday. I know you’ll find all over the Internets that writing qualifications are important. They definitely are if you’re writing nonfiction. But for novels: not so much. Honestly.
Qualifications are icing. They can adjust the calculus in my brain that leads me to request a partial, but they’re far from the biggest factor that goes into my decision. I’ve seen novels from authors with impeccable credentials that I knew I couldn’t sell, and I have sold novels from authors with basically no qualifications.
Lately I’ve been getting lots of queries where the story is described in just a tiny first paragraph with only the barest of inadequate description, and the rest of the query describes the author’s qualifications and/or other extraneous things that don’t belong in the query. Please don’t do this! I like you a lot (really, I do), but for qualifications I only need a short paragraph with the highlights. Please please please focus on your story and what makes it stand out.
Particularly with the tough publishing climate and incredible deluge of queries, I just don’t have time these days to take chances on projects that don’t really grab me in the query. Thus, I’m passing on some of these types of queries, even if it gives me heartburn and indigestion and takes years of my life to do so. I really don’t want to miss anything, but time is tight. Think of my health, people!
Unless you’re a rock star or the pope, I’m not selling you, I’m selling your novel. The query should be focused accordingly.
Does this mean that I don’t have to bathe as often?
I’m not sure whether it’s fortunate or unfortunate that this post doesn’t apply to me.
good advice. thanks.
Dear Nathan,
I'd like you to represent my memoir, HOLY ROCK & ROLLER: THE POPE ON TOUR.
Rock on,
The Pope
(not the Pope)
I think a lot of people get confused because some agents talk a lot about “platform” and how you have to have a good one. What the writers don’t realize is that it only applies to non-fiction.
So, which scores more points: Pontiff or Rocker?
That, of course, is a rhetorical question…
Hooray! It's good to know that I can keep the focus of my query on my written work and not worry about having volumes of publications. Thanks for the helpful & sensible advice.
We like you a lot too!
Interesting. At writers’ conferences it’s drilled in our heads to build our author’s platform and highlight our efforts in our queries. Are you saying the platform is not quite as important as we’re led to believe?
Nathan,
I have a question, partly to do with the query deluge and partly to do with the process in general. Do think writers are rushing? Do you think too many writers are submitting before the project is ready?
It just struck me that it was unlikely that a bunch of people who’ve lost there jobs in the last couple months simply sat down and cranked out 150K novels. But maybe it’s getting a lot of writers to rush out manuscripts early, before they’re properly ready. Or maybe they’ve simply gotten confidence through desperation, and pulled that manuscript out of the cupboard to finally send off into the wide blue yonder.
The caveat is that I was wondering about this idea of rushing even before the deluge began. I hear a lot of comments from writers like “Oh, I sent it off to fifty agents and realized it was totally wrong and not ready yet, so I decided that I could revise it and it’s getting better now.” The implication is that they sent it off rather blindly…
It makes me wonder if there are lots of talented writers simply shooting themselves in the feet. They have talent, a good story idea… but not a polished manuscript. And prematurely sending it to 50 agents… seems less than beneficial.
What do you think? Is the fast-food mentality of our culture a danger for aspiring writers?
My best, as always,
Bryan Russell
margaret and linda lou-
Platform can be important for novelists, and an ability to attract readership can help sell a novel.
But it should be very, very succinctly described and it shouldn’t come at the expense of adequately describing the novel. I can sell a good novel without a platform, but I can’t sell a platform without a good novel.
But my mom loves it and I have been writing it for 30 years and I like cats and I have a degree from Hogwarts and I fish on the weekends and I’m a vegan and I read romance novels and, and, and, and…
bryan-
Yeah, I’d say probably about 15-20% of the queries I receive are from people who have taken the time to research the business and write a proper personalized query. The rest are from people who didn’t take the time to polish everything in a professional fashion.
And if they don’t have time I don’t have time.
Unless of course your query starts with:
Hi, my last novel sold 1,350,000 copies in hardcover and 5,787,372 in mass market paperback and was translated into 46 languages. My agent recently keeled over at the Russian Tea Room while slurping some borscht and I’m looking for someone to represent me and have only heard good things about you.
Wonderful. So I don’t have to worry that I don’t hold a Masters after all.
I like this, this is very cool of you, Nathan. You clearly state what you look for – very helpful.
You’re also really nice about it. Niceness is an underrated quality. It’s important. This is why I read your blog. You’re a gentleman.
It’s also good to know that the focus is on the work, not the person.
I agree. I do hiring in my job, and frankly, I find the cover letter next to useless. It’s the resume that gives me the meat and bones of what the person has to offer. I’ll skim the cover letter to make sure it doesn’t say something like: “I hate you and you’re stupid. Gimme job,” and jump right to the resume.
That tells me what I need to know.
What if “a friend” is 95% sure they’ve invented a helicopter that can travel through time?
I have “a friend” who this describes, but I don’t think he even writes books. 🙁
“Unless you’re a rock star or the pope, I’m not selling you…”
Sooo… you ARE selling rock stars and the pope? How much? I mean, I’ve got all the pontifs I need, but I’ve only got 3 of the 5 Spice Girls. I’m overstocked on Aerosmith right now so I’d be happy to deal a couple of Steven Tylers for an Emma Bunton…
As of now, I am still a reader than a writer. I’d say that good writing qualification is still essential, story is what grabs me to buy a book. Complicated profound writing style will actually turn me off. Hey, after all, I am just an average reader hoping to be amused and entertained.
Hi. When I called Curtis Brown to ask about queries, they told me to submit a query and a synopsis. So, is a synopsis a chapter-by-chapter outline? A short run thru the novel without many layers? A longer, deeper explanation? I have a 2, 4, 6, and 15 page syopsis–wondering which to send? Thanks!
I think this is great news! (Finally, some great news – OMG!!) I have a bit of a platform, but nowhere near as much as I’d like. My book, however, rocks (literally – it’s about a rock and roll princess). I am one of the guilty parties that sent a few queries out before I should have. Bad idea jeans (old SNL skit). I am now nearly done polishing my query and ms and will be querying again soon with a much clearer conscience. And, Nathan – thanks for being such a good guy. I’m sure you can hear in some of the comments how much that is appreciated.
Vegas Linda Lou,
I was thinking the same thing. Both at writers’ conferences and in many online writers’ communities, writers are advised to build platforms. However, a couple of years ago, I started to notice that many writers landing contracts with literary agents and the big publishing houses had stellar writing but not so much of a platform; or, if they had a platform, it was a long list of publications and awards that they summarized in one brief paragraph. I realized that they probably spent most of their time writing, and that was key.
I’ve also noticed, on literary agents’ blogs like this one and in online writers’ groups, query letters that actually lead to major contracts tend to describe the project in concise, well-written paragraphs before even mentioning credentials.
I think that part of the reason the platform recommendation became so widespread in writers’ communities is because, just a few short years ago before the economy took its extreme nosedive, having a platform pretty much guaranteed that a writer’s new work would at least be accepted for publication by successful small publishing houses, that hundreds or thousands of copies of their books would be purchased, and that they could establish a name for themselves to some degree on the Internet – at least to the point where they could win awards in readers’ contests like the Preditors & Editors Readers’ Poll, find reviewers to review their books and book promotion sites to advertise them. It all provided a kind of psychological reinforcement suggesting that platforms work. Those days are over (at least for now). Many small publishing houses have closed, others are temporarily closed to submissions for months at a time, many review sites and book promotion businesses have shut down, and everyone’s scrambling to sell books. Platforms don't necessarily carry the same weight. They might still lead to publication, but they don't so easily lead to book sales in the current economic market. I'm wondering if more writers' communities will eventually address the reality of the current publishing world.
I agree, Christine. I’m listening to a Robert B. Parker book, Sea Change … short sentences, lots of description, clear attribution (he said, she said… YEAH!). Refreshing.
Come on anon@11:55, take your time to do your research.
Nathan, thanks for your response and Marilyn, thank you for your insights. Fortunately, building a platform comes naturally to me–I do stand-up comedy and am having a freakin’ blast building readership with my blog. I know this is essential for self-publishing, but if I decide to continue querying, I’ll be sure to focus more on the story.
Maybe a topic for another time: Do writers’ conferences give people false hope? I’m inclined to say “yes.”
Mr. Bransford, well said. 🙂
Out of curiosity, Nathan, was there ever a qualification that really did impress you even though the story didn’t? One that maybe made you look the story description over, before begrudgingly retiring it?
Vegas Linda Lou,
I love your humor. I can see how building a platform comes easily to you. Some of your posts crack me up.
Building a platform seemed easy to me as well because I love putting together all kinds of writing and book promotion projects. Eventually, the types of projects I was working on interfered with writing my next novel, though, and I’m taking advantage of the sluggish economy to just write.
You wrote: Maybe a topic for another time: Do writers’ conferences give people false hope? I’m inclined to say “yes.”
I think the information in many writers’ conferences is behind the times, emphasizing things that worked a few years earlier but don’t actually work at the time of the conference. This includes hot genres that are starting to wane and most likely won’t be hot by the time the next batch of books in that genre are written.
Nathan — Are you interested in pub credits for someone who has so far only had poetry published (assuming the author is querying you with a novel)?
I’m not querying yet, but I’ve already decided that my PhD in English Literature isn’t going into the query letter as I’m not writing a book about murder in the English Department (though I have thought about it – writing that book, I mean – I only ponder murder during particularly dull faculty meetings). I think I’m afraid of being pigeonholed as ‘yet another EngLit person trying to write a novel’ when in fact I’m a writer masquerading as an EngLit person. 🙂
This is good to know for someone like me whose only “official” writing credentials were a few years on student newspaper 😛
I used to think that you had to have outstanding credentials to even stand out (and it probably does help) but I feel comforted that it’s not absolutely necessary.
I completely agree with Mira when she says that you are a gentleman. You give the authors a quick glimpse of the industry, the reality of publishing, and fuel for our publishing dreams.
With that being said, I have one request for your rejection letter. (I have not received one from you, so I am sorry if I am writing something that doesn’t pertain.) Please, please, PLEASE do not address the letter “Dear Author”. I would much rather live with the delusion that you had hundreds of other query letters to read and didn’t have time to write my name than the thought of you being impersonal and cold. It just doesn’t fit your M.O.
Thanks again for all the advice.
I’m going to respond to Ink’s comment about the sudden deluge in queries, unemployment and all that jazz.
I think that many people rush the query process and, only after multiple declines, step back and relook at their project.
I started the query process last July – two years after writing the initial rough draft (in two weeks, mind you) of the project. I went through many, many, many revision phases before I even considered the query process. I also only sent one query out at a time and waited for a response (obviously a decline) before sending out the next query.
I absolutely love the project.
I recently entered a contest that required the 1st 250 words. I looked at my first 250 words and thought . . . hmmm, I can do much better than this. I did, posted those words in the contest and received very positive feedback from both the readers and the ‘Secret Agent’. Long story (or comment in this case)short, I have now decided to revamp my project somewhat based on my ‘new’ first 250 words.
So, while I didn’t rush the project, I’m now taking a step back (especially in the ‘iffy’ publishing arena right now) to refine it just a bit more before I begin the query and wait process anew. Hopefully, the deluge of queries by unemployed people suddenly writing the next great novel will not desensitize agents so much that they cannot recognize genius when it comes across their desk. ; )
That’s nice to know since my writing career hinges on a wing and a prayer and hopefully some well placed syntax.
Thanks, Nathan. You give us useful advice in a humorous manner. With all the detail you have on your site about queries, you deserve a medal. I'll definitely keep all your points in mind when I send my query to you. Much appreciated.
And. . .
Yesterday's post on how our family & friends view our writing life was very interesting – I love the Wednesday 'you tell me' blogs. (They provide a good sampling of writers angst and gives us a chance to vent – nicely of course)
Your blog is always an interesting read.
Hey, since we’re talking about building a platform, does anyone know the answer to this? It’s a bit off topic, but I’ve been wondering….
I’m thinking of starting a blog written by my main character. I think she’s pretty funny, and would create a fun blog.
But I’m wondering about first publishing rights.
What if I incorporated some of what she said on the blog in the book I’m writing about her?
Have I given away first publishing rights to myself?
Does anyone else know about this?
If no one knows or feels like answering, that’s cool. I just thought I’d ask….
Blogs and first publishing rights seem a bit tricky to me.
Point well taken, Nathan, but if a querier has, say, ten books published, it is a no-no to mention that fact in the query without listing year and publisher, according to your past instructions. But if said querier does list them all it can get lengthy. Is it better to say I’ve had ten books published, including bla-bla and blee-blee and leave it at two examples? Won’t it seem like the querier is hiding something? (Or should it be queryer?)
How’s the white noise, Nathan?
And I bet you thought having a blog was a great idea back in 2006.
How’s that haystack growing?
Probably like unearthing a health spa in Guantanamo Bay, right?
So, if it’s a novel about the pope or a rockstar… we maybe shouldn’t pretend we are then?
noted.
I’m always a little stumped when an agent wants to know how my background will spark a reader’s interest, or add credibility to my novel. Especially considering that I was querying about a story that involved a suburban housewife dabbling in the occult and fighting off home invaders. Sorry, I got nothing.
But instead, I just let “me” out in the letter, and instead of being so tight with the paragraphs, really sold my idea, which in turn, I think, gave my idea credibility. Sadly, I didn’t decide to do this until I’d already queried my list. Luckily, I tried it with one agency I accidentally stumbled upon and got a request for the entire MS. 🙂
Which brings me to a question: does anyone know how long it normally takes a fairly busy agency to get back to you on a full MS? It’s been a week.
Good stuff again, Nathan.
Um, I’d like to add something to my post above.
I know I said it was okay if no one answered my question.
But I didn’t really mean it.
Please answer my question, pretty please with sugar on top.
Mira,
I’m guessing it would probably depend on how much of an overlap you’re talking about. If you’ve basically serialized your story in your blog, well… probably not so good publishing-wise. A few bits here and there… probably not too big a deal, though you never know. But if it’s just a single line you like or something I doubt it matters that you’ve used it in both places. Sometimes catch phrases are memorable… Doh! See? (Stealing is fun, too)
That’s my take, anyway.
Bryan
Very helpful! Thank you.
Sorry, I can’t help you Mira, but I like your idea.
Re: More Story, Less You. Once I met with this agent at a pitch session at a writer’s conference. My pitch took three minutes (request for a full; ultimately rejected). Anyway, since there was lots of time before her next pitch, I asked her for feedback on my query letter. She suggested taking out almost ALL of the personal data (not that I had many prior publications mind you!). What she did think I could keep was that I had worked as a children’s librarian. The book I had written was for kids. It seems like there are a lot of agents out there giving helpful advice on how to write queries, but it’s still difficult! I can’t even figure out how not to post as anon. since I don’t blog. More research.
Mira, I like you’re idea.
I’m no expert in the field, but I would suggest you take the safe route and not include much of your novel in the character’s blog. If you came up with a prequel story to your novel and serialized that as the blog, you should be safe while also helping you to get to know the character a little more. An extended backstory can really help bring a character to life if you’re still writing the novel. It let’s you (and in this case the audience) get into their head.
-Jon
Well that takes a load off…Thanks!
Sound advice as always.
We only have, in most cases, one page to sell ourselves to agents. You have to make every word count.
It is like a sculptor with a block of clay. Although you have all of this material to work from, you have to strip away the inessentials until you are left with the final outcome. If you put too much into your art piece, you might ruin that which could be great.
I bet some writers would rather tackle a block of clay than a query letter. I don’t think they are all that bad once you get it down. 🙂
Ink, Anon 2:26 and Jon, thank you for answering my question. 🙂
Ink, I think your idea of keeping it to small bits is a good one. And Jon, backstory is a great idea.
Your answers tell me my first publishing concerns are valid, though.
I’m putting the cart before the horse. I probably should actually write the book. Then I’ll know what to avoid.
But – having a blog by a character after the book has been accepted for publication could be a great marketing tool.
If anyone likes that idea and wants to use it, by the way, go for it.
Thank you for answering my question!
So you’re saying I suck?
For those saying platform doesn’t matter for fiction writers: That’s not the trend. The market’s tight, and publishers want authors who can sell, period. Platform and who you are, while not as crucial as for non-fiction, can be important for novelists, too. An obvious example is a talk show host who writes a novel–built in audience. Also significant would be an M.D. who writes a medical thriller–s/he has a huge advantage over a high school graduate writer with a medical thriller, right? Authority, relevant credentials to the novel’s subject matter.
So it’s a matter of packing yourself approporately for your product (and if you’re not thinking of your book as a product, start.) Think about how a talk show host would introduce you as a writer, and put those things in the query–they wouldn’t say, “Joe Shmo got great reviews from his critique group partners, and also got a glowing, personalized rejection from a litereary agent,” right? So why do people include those things? Because they’re not stepping back and viewing their position within the industry at large. If you’re nobody, then just describe the novel, period. Nothing wrong with that. But don’t try to build what’s basically nothing into something. Makes you look bad.
Hi, Mira,
Some blogs and websites interview book characters, with the author answering questions from their character’s point of view. One of my main characters has been interviewed on websites. It’s great fun, and makes wonderful book promotion. I honestly don’t know, though, if publishing houses would count that as publication if the interviews had happened before publication.