A query letter is a letter to an agent, asking them to read your book. If they like it, they will represent you to the publishers at large. Needless to say, its a make-it-or-break-it-point for every struggling author. If your too fancy, you're ignored. Too funny? Your dismissed. To arrogant? You're blacklisted. Your letter has to be brief, professional, attention grabbing, and respectful. In other words, its the most nerve racking thing your going to encounter as an author, up to and including first day sales. And unlike that day, I can't drink myself into forgetting the memory if it's bad.
You're job is twice as hard if your new to this. If your established, like say Ann Rice, then you can just say, "This is my book and I wrote A, B, and C." Check signed, drop into a lounge chair, and drink a mai-tai.
I haven't published anything yet. I wrote many online articles for various websites (check out Kombo.com and search for me) and edited some of them too. None of that counts, because it wasn't 'paid work'. I pretty grumbley about that, but I can understand where they are coming from.
Still, I believe in myself and my work. To me, it really doesn't matter if I become the next J.K. Rowlings, I'd be happy to be a Robert Asprin (or *knock on wood* a Neil Gaimen). I just want what I wrote to be enjoyed by someone other than my test audience. If I get published and one person enjoys it enough to post here, I will be happy. Plus, a lot of money will be nice too.
So wish me luck on my query letter. Its gonna be a bumpy ride.
And while I have you captive, let me share something I call Link Lunacy.
- Your state isn't the worst, unless its Florida. Seriously, what do they drink there?
- Its not news, its Fark.
- If you just need to laugh your ass off, for any reason, visit Seanbaby, the inventor of being funny on the internet.
- Funny random pic (credit to Seanbaby):
This is why you always need to practice your one liners before fighting terrorists.
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