tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post8917370787741334495..comments2024-03-28T06:16:39.508+00:00Comments on Help! I Need a Publisher!: Covering letters / query letters / submission lettersNicola Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189894289540344094noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-66857880886807762412012-06-15T22:26:05.422+01:002012-06-15T22:26:05.422+01:00I see and understand now, Nicola; that makes perfe...I see and understand now, Nicola; that makes perfect sense, thank you. <br /><br />OK, I'll relaaaaax now... :-)David John Griffinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01524610087056533062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-90931333272032126092012-06-15T19:04:53.074+01:002012-06-15T19:04:53.074+01:00Hi David
Noooooo, I'm so sorry - I didn't ...Hi David<br />Noooooo, I'm so sorry - I didn't mean it to sound as though I thought that. It was just when you asked if it was "too much" - yes, was all I meant. It's my fault for reading and writing so quickly - I've been overwhelmed with rushing around doing events and my message came over wrong. I didn't think you meant that, honestly. Just that there was Nicola Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189894289540344094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-80884650145635165282012-06-15T18:43:55.856+01:002012-06-15T18:43:55.856+01:00Hi Nicola; I've got to get this off my chest:
...Hi Nicola; I've got to get this off my chest:<br /><br />I'm sad that you thought I meant that I was on-par with, or as good as those authors that I mentioned as writing influences only. I would never be so arrogant as to consider that.<br /><br />To be honest, I'm almost in despair with trying to get my stuff professionally published anyhow, and I'm near to "throwing in the David John Griffinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01524610087056533062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-8997598481174473752012-06-15T17:04:10.459+01:002012-06-15T17:04:10.459+01:00Thanks for your reply, Nicola, much appreciated. I...Thanks for your reply, Nicola, much appreciated. I see what you mean now about it sounding pretentious; of course I didn't mean to be, I guess I thought agents especially would need to know what sort of readership I consider my writing is for, as well as my writing influences.... but even if those are required, I can surely précis it (and make it less pretentious-sounding!)<br /><br />Just David John Griffinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01524610087056533062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-90618074033470249002012-06-15T15:47:46.197+01:002012-06-15T15:47:46.197+01:00Thank you Nicola and Laura May. MY WIP had a ques...Thank you Nicola and Laura May. MY WIP had a question as the hook until a few moments ago and you have saved me from being irritating.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-55986470682488823082012-06-15T14:17:21.255+01:002012-06-15T14:17:21.255+01:00Sorry I deserted you - I was away doing events and...Sorry I deserted you - I was away doing events and am still in the middle of hectic programme.<br /><br />Helen - actually, it's best not to ask any questions at all in pitches. They can be irritating. the agent wants you to tell, not ask. (I've now just read Laura Mary's comment about this - she's right.)<br /><br />David - yes, that is *way* too much! Forgive me for saying this Nicola Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189894289540344094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-30656379905060880842012-06-14T23:44:21.375+01:002012-06-14T23:44:21.375+01:00Bridget Jones'Diary meets Lord of the Rings!Bridget Jones'Diary meets Lord of the Rings!widdershinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04205462833259334647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-30041734227590437802012-06-14T16:29:31.838+01:002012-06-14T16:29:31.838+01:00"Everyone is looking for the book that will b..."Everyone is looking for the book that will be the next big thing. I'd like to tell you this book could be the one. I'd also like to tell you I've invented a spaceship with a faster-than-light drive powered only by cotton candy and puppies' dreams. Sadly, only one of these is true."<br /><br />I'm guessing I need to delete this then ;-)<br /><br />The sad thing isA. M. Perkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08680290781463023921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-54105072508929201262012-06-14T11:39:59.660+01:002012-06-14T11:39:59.660+01:00Helen - I've come to the conclusion that you s...Helen - I've come to the conclusion that you should avoid asking questions at all costs! I've read some (admittedly quite funny!) rants on various agents’ blogs and websites. <br />The bottom line is that the person reading that question will have their own view on just what happens when Bridget Meets Mr Orange, and it won't be the same as what you think happens, and they may end up Laura Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01604133412050870730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-49590744883941534152012-06-13T22:13:07.766+01:002012-06-13T22:13:07.766+01:00Excellent advice, Nicola, thanks. :-) Except: &quo...Excellent advice, Nicola, thanks. :-) Except: "....most important of all, SEND IT! (But only if you are 100% sober.)" I mean, where's the fun in that? ;-)<br /><br />I've recently been adding the following sentences to my agent/publisher submissions; I don't know if it helps but I like to think it does....<br /><br />""Name of my manuscript" is a psychologicalDavid John Griffinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01524610087056533062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-68454155523471025622012-06-13T21:41:04.688+01:002012-06-13T21:41:04.688+01:00Thanks! That's a shame. I was getting my hopes...Thanks! That's a shame. I was getting my hopes up that at least querying would be somewhat easier!KamilleEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06845951906601926878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-83284826052418663442012-06-13T17:09:58.626+01:002012-06-13T17:09:58.626+01:00This is great advice, as always. I@m just wonderi...This is great advice, as always. I@m just wondering if its acceptable to have a core question instead of a core sentence as the hook in paragraph two. For example: What happens when Bridget Jones falls for Terry the Clockwork Orange?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-43907405314089059642012-06-13T15:21:11.752+01:002012-06-13T15:21:11.752+01:00Redleg - welcome back! So, dizzeeeegurl is reveale...Redleg - welcome back! So, dizzeeeegurl is revealed :) <br /><br />Philip - don't let me stop you!<br /><br />Squidge - exactly. (On both comments.)<br /><br />Laura Mary - it doesn't surprise me! <br /><br />The thing that really bugs me is sometimes writers pitch something to me and ask for my help. I spend ages formulating a short reply that gives them all I can (even if that just Nicola Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189894289540344094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-4000244330327453192012-06-13T15:10:51.799+01:002012-06-13T15:10:51.799+01:00I'll admit it. dizzzeeeegurl is me.I'll admit it. dizzzeeeegurl is me.Stephen Kozeniewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15185600045044927669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-88747907843014890412012-06-13T15:04:36.339+01:002012-06-13T15:04:36.339+01:00Logically, you would think so, Kamille. But all th...Logically, you would think so, Kamille. But all the same principles apply. It's just that you could write a covering letter that had missed a few things but if the sample writing was good the agent would at least have that to judge you on. Whereas with the query, that's your only chance. Some UK agents are asking for query letters, though! Anyway, as I say, same principles apply.Nicola Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189894289540344094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-31990579333599111922012-06-13T14:39:16.566+01:002012-06-13T14:39:16.566+01:00Oh right thanks! Would that mean a cover letter wo...Oh right thanks! Would that mean a cover letter would be a bit more straightforward?KamilleEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06845951906601926878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-86423794551159020442012-06-13T14:03:50.344+01:002012-06-13T14:03:50.344+01:00Covering letter accompanies submission and is usua...Covering letter accompanies submission and is usual in UK. Query letter is usual in US and is a letter (or email) which pitches your book without the benefit of added sample material, so it needs to say more. If the agent likes the sound of it, she will request a sample. Etc. Is that helpful?Nicola Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189894289540344094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-60400373831182069092012-06-13T12:45:03.601+01:002012-06-13T12:45:03.601+01:00Is there a difference between a query letter and a...Is there a difference between a query letter and a covering letter? <br /><br />Thanks.KamilleEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06845951906601926878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-24533441576925021082012-06-13T12:15:29.553+01:002012-06-13T12:15:29.553+01:00Nicola - I love the fact that the computer thought...Nicola - I love the fact that the computer thought the dizzeeegurl address was real and needed to be highlighted! <br />Lots of good advice here - mostly common sense - and can I say that a lot of the same rules apply if you're making a phone query as well.Squidgenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-56334488093317716112012-06-13T10:28:01.091+01:002012-06-13T10:28:01.091+01:00Damn. I'm 33,000 words into BRIDGET JONES AND ...Damn. I'm 33,000 words into BRIDGET JONES AND THE TERRY'S CLOCKWORK ORANGE: A Fiction Novel, and it's back to the drawing board...<br /><br />Useful advice. Thanks.Philip C Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14506199502085466202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-21512647978661559202012-06-13T09:11:46.393+01:002012-06-13T09:11:46.393+01:00My favourite example of a covering letter has to b...My favourite example of a covering letter has to be here...<br /><br />http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.ch/2012/06/its-certainly-new-approach.html<br /><br />Well it cuts to the chase if nothing else!Laura Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01604133412050870730noreply@blogger.com