Need an agent to read MS. Topical, antic murder mystery (7-2009, topical). Unlikely to be viewed sympathetically by PC person. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Well, this is just my advice, but you could try writing a query letter and submitting it to prospective agents. That might get you somewhere.
You're welcome.
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But ... but ... who won the War?!
Oh, who knows? Probably Mid-Realm. They had Aethelmearc. I'm just there to bash heads and get bashed.
I'm wondering if you have any advice on how to write a query letter when
A) You have a completed short story collection. Many of the stories have appeared in good journals; a few have won awards.
B) You have the first sixty pages of a novel and a full synopses.
How do you combine both projects in a query, when you're looking for a two-book deal? Or do you just plug the novel, and then tell the interested agent the novel isn't finished yet, but...?
Any advice would be much appreciated, Rejecter.
Huh? Since when are murder mysteries topical. I suspect it's actually something that will be dated next year.
My advise: don't make sure it's timeless. It's better for sales.
Is it just me or does a "topical" MS that "PC person[s]" won't like sound just awful? There ain't nothing wrong with writing a book that expresses a political viewpoint, but in my experience the ones that are defensive about it and feel the need to point it out in the letter are bad.
"MS that "PC person[s]" won't like "
Sounds like this author already has his ready-made reasons for when his book is revealed to be unpublishable.
"They're afraid of the truth! PC police strike again. Curse that damn liberal Publishing cabal!"
7-2009 topical? what happened in 7-2009? this letter was hilarious. thanks for my morning laugh.
Additional Advice: You might specifically look for un-PC agents when querying.
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To Anonymous: Are you querying your short stories and your novella together? I've read you're supposed to only query one project at a time, and that agents tend to dislike queries for WIPs. If it's not finished, they can't sell it yet...
Also, I'm querying for a book right now. In the letter, I mention a sequel is currently in the works. No more and no less than that, just so the agent knows I'm one of those people who will keep producing.
Hope this helps!
I'm speechless, but apparently not commentless (I don't even know if that's a word).
Snark! And I mean that in the best sense.
To the other anonymous guy or gal:
You aren't the one deciding how many books your deal contains, so your first goal should be to query the novel. By the way, if you look for an agent, deals are irrelevant because they will represent all your work.
That said, it's too early to query. You should only query FINISHED novels.
The last time I fought, Gulf Wars, Ravine Battle, I got gacked in the hand so hard I had to make a split second decision weather to throw-up in my helmet, or start crying. I chose crying. Sobbed like a baby and amazingly brought the whole battle to a halt. Those southern knight types never like to hear a lady cry, especially in their shield wall...
I miss Pensic. Especially the Woods Battle.
Thanks for all the advice. I don't know, though, about all of it: my understanding was that when querying for a short story collection you should also make it clear a novel is in the works, and ready to be offered. Collections only sell if the deal is a two book deal, and two book deals happen when one has a collection and the 'start' of a novel--not a finished product.. Hence my question.
'Topical 2009' and 'un-PC' sounds like the murder victim is a heartless investment banker named 'Barney Mydoff', who gets whacked by libertarian hippies whom the reader is invited to admire.
Or maybe it just has lots of boobies and cussin'.
Additional suggestion for the person with the "un-PC" manuscript:
Find a book you like, that is equally "un-PC." Read the acknowledgments, because chances are the author will thank his/her agent. Query that agent. Repeat as necessary.
It sounds like something I'd absolutely love to do, if I had the time and the money. Pensic, not querying.
Un-PC... yeah, just write and query. If an agent who hates you rejects you, that's a good sign they're not a good agent for you. But don't TRY to make them hate you, or make it all about your viewpoint.
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