Query Roundtable List
Query Roundtable List
The list the follows is a collection of wonderful writers seeking the perfect pitch that’ll hook the perfect agent! If you are a participant, please offer constructive feedback to as many queries as you can (preferably everyone!) and in return you will receive new opinions and perspectives on your pitch. If you are visiting the roundtable, feel free to comment with your thoughts as well! The more the merrier!
For those of you that are just seeing this post now but would like to join the roundtable, leave a comment or tweet me your interest and I will add you! Any comments, questions or discussion you’d like to have off the blogs may be followed under #QueryRoundtable on twitter. Happy critiquing!
Query
Let’s get this party started! Here’s my query roundtable entry for everyone to tear apart…I mean, critique x)
Revised 5/23 For Roundtable Edits:
Overnight, Jake changed from wallflower to warrior. Or so he would like everyone to believe.
If Jake isn’t glued behind his sketchbook, he’s secluded to his room. Yet, when he comes face-to-face with human-like animals who believe he is foretold to save their world, none of his thirteen years of imaginary prowess could prepare him for the task ahead.
What once was furthest from his mind—friends, fighting and females—are now part of his everyday routine. A lifestyle on the sword-tip of danger. Now Jake lacks the freedom to remain invisible as he is destined to mend an impossible divide. To navigate the havoc, Jake is awarded a spirit guide: the dragon. What begins as assimilation to local tradition, transforms into the one factor that may save him from catastrophe.
Jake better act quick. Humans are nearly extinct. And the rodents are next. If the wolf King executes his vision, the canine race will reign supreme. The survival of the persecuted rests on his shoulders. There’s just one problem. The prophecy was not about Jake. And he’s the only one who knows it. HAVOC’S KNOT is a 94,000 word YA fantasy novel with series potential.
5/22 Query
Overnight, Jake changed from wallflower to warrior. Or so he would like everyone to believe.
Jake is a master introvert. That’s no secret. If he isn’t glued behind his sketchbook, he’s secluded to his room. However, none of his thirteen years of imagination prowess could prepare him for when hecomes face-to-face with human-like-animals. His days of shyness won’t help now that he’s expected to save the world.
What once was furthest from his mind—friends, fighting and girls—are now part of his everyday routine. With little help or knowledge, he must mend an impossible divide. Felines refuse to get involved, despite their extraordinary abilities. Humans are nearly extinct. And the rodents are next. If the wolf King executes his vision, the canine race will reign supreme.
To navigate the havoc, Jake is awarded a spirit guide: the dragon. But the fairytale isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. The creature provides nothing more than cryptic advice, proving as useful as a broken compass. What begins as assimilation to local tradition, transforms into the one factor that may save Jake from catastrophe.
The survival of the persecuted rests on his shoulders. Yet, there is one secret no one could expect. The prophecy was not about Jake. And he’s the only one who knows it. HAVOC’S KNOT is a 94,000 word YA fantasy novel.
Query Roundtable Introduction
Welcome, traditional route writers!
We’ve all struggled through our query letter at least once. For many of us, it’s been a masochistic rehashing of the same 250 words over and over. And over. The worst part isn’t writing it, at least not for me. It’s reading your summary and thinking, “Is this the most succinct way to tell an agent how wonderful my story is?” Or, “Does this make any sense?” Or maybe, “Will an agent even like this?” That doubt is going to end here.
As much as we can work on our query letters (until we’re blue in the face) and hope for the best, what is really needed is a new set of eyes. Someone else to look over our pitch and ask the tough questions: Does this draw me in? Do I understand the conflict and stakes? Do I get a feeling for the main character? Those secondary opinions are what can help clear up any lingering problems potential agents might find when your query crosses their desk.
The point is to ensure that your letter stays out of the slush pile and sparks a fire in the agent’s mind enough that they choose to request more. Whether it’s a partial or a full sampling, your chances at hooking an agent begin (and sometimes end) with your query letter. I figured- what better way to help other queriers out than to have a query roundtable where anyone who wants open and honest feedback on their pitch can receive it?
Here’s the deal:
1- Let me know in a comment here or on twitter @rachelhwrites that tells me you want to submit your query letter and participate in the roundtable.
2- Take a last look at your letter and get it ready for the event on May 22nd. That’s less than a week from now (as to prepare for other contests but not interrupt them)!
3- Post your query on your blog (or renew your post from The Writer’s Voice Contest- if you participated) and give me the direct link to your post so I can compile the list here on my blog.
4- When the roundtable list goes live here on the 22nd, be sure to comment on as many other submissions as you can (preferably everyone so all of our unique perspectives can help each other refine our queries).
5- Use #QueryRoundtable on twitter for any discussions outside of the blogs related to queries where we can share experiences and best practices.
There’s not exactly an end date, or any sort of prizes, this is a way for us to assist each other down the traditional publishing path and encourage each other in our joint venture to get agented! If this sounds like something you want to participate in, let me know!
Writing Tips A to Z Part 3
It’s that time again, time for A to Z writing tips! Wow, if that doesn’t sound like the opening to a game show, I don’t know what does. With that said, here’s your host, Rachel (read it like this: Raaaacchhell)! Thanks for the introduction. On this episode of A to Z writing tips, we explore that middle part of the alphabet everyone mashes together into one word. The letter elemeno. With k at the forefront. Let’s see what suggestions the alphabet has in store for writers today!
Kill Your Darlings- It’s been said before and I’ll say it again, you can put your characters through hell, but if they come out without a scratch – you’re going to catch flack for it. Be realistic. Make them laugh and cry and maybe even sleep with the fishes.
Lie and Cheat- The meaning of this is to confuse your reader. Lie to them. Cheat them out of or into different emotions. Make them suspect one thing and then see another! A good misdirection never hurt anyone.
Mind Your Magic- For all my scifi, fantasy and spec writers; make sure your supernatural aspects have defined rules to make the seemingly impossible not only credible, but logical.
No Nonsense- When editing, you should be sure to clear up any nonsense in your writing. Not sure what is nonsense? Ask yourself: Does this make sense? If your answer is no, clean it up.
Onomonopia and the like- Literary devices are the tools of the writing world. They’re at your disposal to create wonderful metaphors, similes, allusions, ironies and so forth. You don’t have to use them all, pick one or a few to add spice to your story.
Tune in again folks! Same time, same channel for another installment of A to Z writing tips!
Pitch Wars Mentee 2014
Awards
