How to Write a Query Letter - Part 2

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In the last video we went over how to write the plot summary of your novel for your query letter. Today I'm going to go over comparison titles, your biography, and personalization.
I recommend watching the previous video first: • How to Write a Query L...
SHOW NOTES
Personalization: Include any personal connection you have to an agent, such as having met them at a convention. Alternatively, include a specific reason that you're querying them that goes beyond their submission guidelines to demonstrate you've truly done your research. Personalization is optional.
Housekeeping (basic information): The title of your novel, the word count, and the genre are required and should be included at either the beginning or the end. In this section, you can optionally include comparisons to novels that have a similar target market, and you can optionally convey themes, subgenre, or the style of your novel. Don’t editorialize by adding judgments about the quality of your novel (for example, describing it as "riveting" or "fascinating" or "heartwarming").
The bio: The bio is optional but many agents prefer at least a sentence about you (such as where you live and your interests). Don't linger on unimportant details. Be specific about your writing credits (title, dates, etc.). If you have multiple credits, just list a couple of your most notable accomplishments and indicate that there are more ("My publications include" is an option for phrasing).
Website: ellenbrockediting.com
Twitter: / ellenmbrock
Tip Jar: www.paypal.me/EllenBrock

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Опубликовано:

26 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 87

@alisonf.haring3411 5 лет назад

I am loving those examples so much!! It's so hard to know how to actually write those sections of a query letter, but your explanations + examples make it look easier :) Thanks Ellen

@GabrielRodriguesYT 5 лет назад

Best writing channel you will ever find on RU-vid.

@subscriberswithnovideos-eg9kq 5 лет назад

Everytime i see these videos in my feed, i all of a sudden am hit with a wave of anxiousness and feelings of being substandard. But by the end i feel i’ve learned something.

@geneedgerton4482 5 лет назад

All of your videos are superior. Superior.

@miaramck6746 5 лет назад

Thank you for the first page critique! It's nice to have a fresh perspective and some direction.

@Apostate88 5 лет назад

Thanks Erin!! I'm sharing your videos with my fellow students on our MA on Creative Writing, I hope you'll be getting more followers!

@ashigarami4808 5 лет назад

First thing I spotted from your bookshelf is House of Leaves. In some previous videos you showed whole front cover, intentional or not, a great book! Your channel is really great, keep up with good work. Peace :)

@pengraveth800 5 лет назад

Hands down the best on RU-vid.

@sabrinapowell8446 3 года назад

These are so helpful! Thank you so much!

@ssghosh7728 5 лет назад

Thank you so much for the boot camp series... 💜

@radiodinosaurrobots 3 года назад

so helpful to my own process right now, thank you so much for these videos!

@ezinnenjoku3626 Год назад

This was such a great video. Thank you so much.

@alicepicton7686 3 года назад

Thank you so much, your advice is so helpful x

@Eleni_Datsika 5 лет назад

Thank you very much for one more wonderful Novel Boot Camp!

@Voxdalian 5 лет назад

Are the critiques out yet? I can't find them anywhere.

@Eleni_Datsika 5 лет назад

They will be out today. :)

@Voxdalian 5 лет назад

Okay, thanks for info!

@ellieanglin 3 года назад

thank you very much for this video!

@elizabethwilson221 5 лет назад

Ellen, I really love all your videos. Each time I watch one of your lectures I always get so much out of it. I was wondering if you had any thoughts on anti heroes in novels. How you you make a terrible person, some buddy readers secretly cheer for?

@storydtechtiverobertjones464 5 лет назад

The Shining meets The Babysitter’s Club is a great example. It’s intriguing and gives an immediate feeling for the subject matter. And that goes along with the notion of what taglines and book dust jackets do-they seduce the reader by delivering the notion of intrigue. And agents are also readers who want to be seduced by our ideas.

@peterdahabreh8646 3 года назад

thank you!

@AuthorBrittanyWang 5 лет назад

These videos on Queries are so helpful and I love that you've included examples of actual successful ones in them. Love it! Also, just wondering about the 1st page critiques on your blog. Will they be going up soon?? 🤞😁

@EllenBrock 5 лет назад

They will be posted tonight (probably around 4-5 EST). I'm trying to get through as many as possible before I post them.

@ClintLoweTube 5 лет назад

@@EllenBrock Cool.

@Nobody-fb7ni 5 лет назад

Why have you stopped videos? Taking a break? You always have great advice!

@patnull 5 лет назад

These videos are an invaluable resource to aspiring novelists. Thanks for all you do, Ellen. I have now watched every video on your channel. So, um....do I win anything? :-)

@Hxarh 5 лет назад

Thank you.

@ClintLoweTube 5 лет назад

What about this query: My story is the Greatest Of All Time and will appeal to everyone and sell a billion copies. Would that go down well?

@ClintLoweTube 5 лет назад

If it is true.

@lynndowless5152 3 года назад

No, you are bragging and editors don't like that. You are branded as an armature.

@andymoore9892 3 года назад

That's how Donald Jr got his agent.

@ryanwallace1511 3 года назад

Bro, you want a deal?

@TalosBjorn 5 лет назад

Loving your videos! Question: is there an ideal time window in which to query an agent? As in, is it better to query right when an agent opens the proverbial shop to receive queries, right before they're about to close to queries, some time in the middle, or does timing not really matter? Curious to hear your perspective on that

@alphaomega1089 4 года назад

The Fallen One is a college grade fantasy action novel, complete at 100,000 words when edited down, with a series already complete at 140 shorts and 5 further novels that are ready to be proofread. There are 3 further novels yet to be completed at 10% to 90% due to possible film script conflict (need film to match written word). I have nothing to compare this novel to beyond a comic book. My adult version of the same thing. Guardians of the universe versus Iron man.

@jimmydroid7838 5 лет назад

The Shinning meets The Baby Sitters Club. Somebody should write that book, I would read the neck out of it.

@MST3Killa 5 лет назад

I seem to recall someone doing something like that... Think it was basically the Shining meets The Secret Garden where it was a bunch of well to do English kids in this kind of garden club but that it turns out to be a murder-cult where they bury bodies in the garden because "it was important to replenish the earth".... I really can't remember who wrote it though.

@yapdog 5 лет назад

So, I kept waiting the the next video, but then I just looked at the calendar. Curse you Septemberrrr!

@KreativeHogwartsLegacyGUIDES 5 лет назад

rip, you have to wait til next yr

@bloopbloopbloopbloopbloop 5 лет назад

Great video! You mentioned a link with the full query letters in the description, but I can't seem to find it?

@laitstrawberry 5 лет назад

Thank you for doing these videos~ You make everything far more understandable without simplifying too much :) Question. Will the first page critiques be posted today?? :o

@ClintLoweTube 5 лет назад

I want to know about the critiques, too.

@laitstrawberry 5 лет назад

it's been posted a few hours ago on her blog

@alphafort 4 года назад

I watched the thoroughly informative part 1 of this video, and thought this would be a good place to put in my considerably lengthy and long winded question. I truly hope for good advice, and say thanks in advance! My question is based on a completed manuscript that i intend to query a literary agent with. I have completed a collection of 6 stories into one manuscript with the hope to have it published as a single book. The total word count is 155K. My hope (as well as advice received) is to present this collection to a literary agent with this large word on the faith that each story has substantial merit. An additional argument is that i have created a collection of novellas. :P I have had exceptionally positive and strong emotional reactions to the collection from beta readers and critique partners, and i am reluctant to remove any of stories for the collection merely to conform to a word count. Is it realistic to expect a literary agent to read the synopsis/sample portion of the story collection, and not have them dismiss it out of hand once they see the word count?

@nevenavasic9886 5 лет назад

Quick question: Should the comparative titles be recent publications, or can you choose a title or two that is several years old? Several decades? Or does it depend on why I'm selecting the particular title? I love your channel! You're so helpful, thank you!!

@BobbyBermuda1986 5 лет назад

This could perhaps be a video topic, but what are your thoughts on creating a fictional town? In my case, I'm writing horror, so the setting is pretty realistic and generally of this world. For example, Seattle and Italy are definitely in existence and mentioned in the story. However, the majority of the story takes place in a town I actually lived in in the Midwest some time back. The reason I feel like changing the name of the town is mainly out of respect. I paint the place in a not so positive light and my main character somewhat disparages it. This isn't a famous locale at all, so only the locals would recognize it from its description, so I feel like changing the name would be courteous.

@phoenixflare000 5 лет назад

Hi Ellen, thank you for the amazing advice. I have a question that I know can be answered by a simple google search, but I was hoping for an experts opinion. Is the a certain quota of pages that should be filled with a manuscript? For examples does it have to have have a mandatory x amount of chapters or pages?

@RashidWilliamsR-MAN 5 лет назад

OK!!!

@Aluko79 5 лет назад

It's officially September. Is it finished then? I mean your writing bootcamp? I'm kinda sad... It was great, as always. Thank you.

@eebcontent 5 лет назад

Could you make a video of where to put the query letter in relation to the cove page and such? Or just explain it to me? Also, are we supposed to compose both sections one and two or do we choose one or the other?

@daphnie816 5 лет назад

Can you do a "how to information dump in an interesting way"? I have a chapter that is required to understand what is happening in the book, but it's technical and might come across as boring. I've rewritten it at least alf a dozen times to shorten it and have more character interaction, but I'm still concerned it will slow the pace down.

@Stjerneklang528 5 лет назад

Sound advice: try some sort of a close mic setup to get a more pleasant and professional sound. Too much room reverb as of now. Have a good one.

@abbeyarmon3572 5 лет назад

Hi Ellen! I am writing a book and I am pretty young so I don't know really anything about any of it. One thing I have been thinking about is when I am done with my book how do I get it Published??? thanks!

@anadjokic253 5 лет назад

Hiii!! I wont to be a wrigher when I grow up. I have 14 years old. Do you have some advice for me how to start learning to wright? What to wright first? Anything?? And my english is bad sorry. I just found you and your chanel is amazing ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

@brianpacker6523 5 лет назад

I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you have any tips on writing for character's that have accents like ways to convey that they have the accent without making them seem like a stereotype

@Megasunami 4 года назад

Hi. Could you kindly guide me on 'How to write a query for a multi-perspective Novel.' Thanks.

@retroraptor8186 5 лет назад

Hi Ellen, can you please do a video on how to handle pov type shifts, where the majority of a novel might be in first person but some scenes without the main character takes place and third person pov is used, is this even allowed?

@storydtechtiverobertjones464 5 лет назад

Mixing POV is allowed, but can be tricky. If first person is going to make up the majority of your novel and third person is only in some scenes, it might be jarring to readers, or seem out of place-because it’s only in those few scenes. Have you considered using first person throughout, but switching to a different character’s first person POV from chapter to chapter? It’s still first person and you wouldn’t need your main character present in every scene.

@kayabelova 5 лет назад

Should I write a completely different letter for every agent? Also, thank you for the examples!

@MST3Killa 5 лет назад

You don't need to write a COMPLETELY different letter, but you'll want to change it up just a bit. Agents have different interests and they might still be found in your story and you'll want to note those elements. So, one agent might say they're interested generally in Sci-Fi (for example), well, if applicable, then you'd note that your story is sci-fi. Another agent might say they're interested in 'adventure'...if your story is an adventure through space, and involves both genres, then you'll want to note the adventure part mores for that particular agent.

@Dismythed 5 лет назад

How do you resesrch an agent beyond their web page?

@azuarc 5 лет назад

All things I already knew, but thank you for the video.

@TheGreyHound26 Год назад

Has the writing of query letters evolved since 2018? Is there new things to include, or to not include?

@scolopendraheros1565 5 лет назад

I am attempting to write a novel involving characters who are essentially transitioning from ape to human. I want their speech to reflect primitiveness, so I have been trying to have them use a sort of Tarzan like speech. But every way I try it feels extremely awkward, and I think I should probably drop it. In what cases would you think something like that is not overly tacky, and if one were to do it do you have recommendations for structuring such speech to be immersive and not painful? Thanks for any response.

@michaeldarrow6994 3 года назад

Your video said the query letters in their entire form were in the links below? Where exactly? I cannot find them.

@joewilly78 5 лет назад

Hi Ellen, I have a question. Can a write who's self-published a book to Amazon with an ASIN number still pitch it to an agent and have the book sold independently later (once removed from Amazon)?

@MST3Killa 5 лет назад

They can as a reprint, but it's very rare and largely would depend on your success as a writer. Agents want new stories not published before because, simply put, there's a better chance of selling to a publisher because, likewise, publishers want new stories.

@shadowthehedgehog181 5 лет назад

I noticed she didn't say anything about a "next video." I guess this is the part where she mounts mechanical horse and rides towards the sunset, vanishing into the Horizon

@zebulynnhanson791 5 лет назад

What's you're favorite book?

@DocFlamingo 2 года назад

4:01

@stephenbarone4053 5 лет назад

If all you have are short stories, should you just self publish?

@aznSeddie 5 лет назад

I suggest looking into literary journals/magazines or anthologies that accept short fiction and follow their submission guidelines and give past issues a read to get a feel for what the editors tend to accept/what makes those contributors' pieces stand out. Also, keep in mind some lit journals require a reading fee as part of the submissions process to cover print costs or staff stipends, but others won't. And there may or may not be monetary compensation for contributors, esp. if they're grassroots/indie and have a voluntary staff. But regardless, lit journals are a great start in getting the hang of small-scale publication while building your body of work before transitioning to large-scale.

@stephenbarone4053 5 лет назад

@@aznSeddie thanks. I have had some work published in journals but don't ever see a novel coming out of me. Though I have written a few screenplays.

@MST3Killa 5 лет назад

Yeah, don't self-publish them unless you have no other aspirations to publish them traditionally. Once they're self-published, practically no one will touch them for reprints. Short stories are destined to be in those outlets that accept them unless you turn out to be a prolific writer who has gained a following that a traditional publisher might want to collect them all for an author-specific collection piece (like you see with Vonnegut, Bradbury, Poe, Lovecraft, etc.) Anthologies are good, literary journals and magazines are good, even some websites aren't bad (but be sure you're understanding and comfortable with their rules, whether they pay you or not...IE... you retain your rights to the work once published and such). You can self-publish, but just be aware that that'll 99.99% of the time be the end of them. If you're fine with that, then that's your call to make.

@stephenbarone4053 5 лет назад

@@MST3Killa thanks for sharing.