Agent: Demystified

Go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAL_nTJQyw8 and watch a great book trailer. You can also see it here: http://misssnarksfirstvictim.blogspot.com/

Tons of good info in this e-book.

Enjoy!

Want to vote on my One Line Hook?

The first question you are probably asking is "What is a One Line Hook?"

It is a one line summary of a manuscript.

The second question is most likely, "Why do you need one?"

It is a single sentence an Author uses to get a reader interested.

The third question, "What makes a good Hook?"

I found some great advice here: http://querytracker.blogspot.com/2009/04/dreaded-pitch-what-to-include-in-that.html

In short: The sentence must have the tone of the book, the genre targeted, and the plot. Three little words rolled up in to one sentence that should describe your 75k-90k word book.

There are so many different ways to go about writing your hook but honestly, I found the website mentioned above to be the best help yet.

So without further ado, here are 2 pitches and you have a chance to vote for your favorite!


When Seth, a young college student, is moved to a new world by his Guardian Angel, he is told he must find his One, his soul mate, in order to fulfill his calling, and at the same time learn to trust God’s will, instead of his own, but when he struggles to find her he demands to be sent back to Earth, forcing her to come to him.


When Seth, a young college student, is moved to a new world by his Guardian Angel, he learns that he must trust God’s will, instead of his own, in order to find his One, his soul mate, but when he struggles to find her he demands to be sent back to Earth, forcing her to come to him.

Some Newbie Lessons:

I have not been at this whole writing deal for too long, but already I’ve learned so much!

1. Do not send out your first query! Brush it up, send it to tons of people and/or a critique group, then you can send it out. Inevitably if you don’t follow this advice, you will send your WORST query to your Dream Agent and possibly destroy your chances of winning over that agent.

2. If you enter a contest or a critique session, DO NOT edit your 1000 words down to 250! There is absolutely no way to get your point and plot across properly. There will be something important missing no matter what. So the reviews will not be pertinent.

3. Study, study, study. Find lessons on writing techniques and anything you can get your hands on to help you grow as a writer. Anything new that you learn will only help you.

4. Don’t hide your manuscript from helpful critique fearing it will be stolen. I have attempted to pass mine out to many different people because I desperately need the feedback, good or bad. Read up on copyright laws and don’t worry too much.

5. We all have our favorite Agents who we dream of representing us, under no circumstances should you follow them relentlessly on Twitter, FB, or their blogs. It’s not a big deal to pop in or check up on them. There are some WONDERFUL Agents out there who give advice you need daily. But be aware that when you follow them you will be sitting on the edge of your seat each time you see them post something new. My dream agent mentions doing things and going places and at first I was a bit ticked. I wanted to yell “Wait! You haven’t responded to my query yet.” How ridiculous it that? Honestly, I don’t want an agent who doesn’t make time for themselves and their family. So save yourself some heartache and back off a bit, lay low and follow #6.

6. While waiting for a response from Agents find something else to do besides wait. Write another book or small story, find a new hobby, clean the house- HAhaha!-, anything to keep your mind occupied.

That’s all for now. Like I said up at the top, I'm a newbie. You don’t have to listen to me; after all I’m not published YET! But I have learned some hard lessons and I wish to keep you from making the same mistakes I did. And trust me, there will be many more to add to this list!

Do you have any advice for a new author? I’d love to hear it.

Blessings

Andrea

Want to see a Query?

Here is my query. I have brushed it up and would enjoy reading your comments.

Andrea Gardner
http://andreasquipsnquotes.blogspot.com/
I usually add the rest of my info but not on my blog. ;)
May 5, 2009


Dear Dream Agent,

I am seeking representation for my completed 87,250 word Inspirational Romance The One.

I chose to submit my query to you after reading your web page. (I usually add something about what I saw on their page or something about their blog to make it individual)

The One tackles the issue of trusting God and his will in our lives, set in a funny, romantic story.
Seth Locke opens his eyes to find he is no longer in his bed, and he is no longer on earth. He has been moved to Arland, a world where the people can see and hear their Guardian Angels. The Arlanders are unique; God’s will is spoken to them through their Guardians. He calls the Guardians to lead, guide and direct these people, and because they listen they are advanced in every way.

Seth is told he was brought to this new land to fulfill his calling, but that cannot happen until he finds the One woman God created for him. Seth is troubled by the urgency to find his One, and is intimidated by this new world. He feels drawn to Lilli, the first woman he meets, but is uncertain if she is his One. That would be too easy! As Seth falls deeper and deeper in love with Lilli, he questions her feelings for him. When Seth finds out Lilli has found her One, he assumes it is someone else and runs away demanding his Guardian send him back to Earth. He awakens on Earth forgetting everything about Arland, but troubled by dreams of a woman named Lilli, whom he searches for everywhere.

The One is my first novel. My resume includes multiple opportunities as a spokesperson and a peer counselor. I have spoken to groups as large as 3,000 people. I have also been the primary speaker for many multimedia presentations. I enjoy working with people of all ages and encouraging them to live their lives to the fullest in Christ.

I am in the process of submitting this query to multiple agents. I would be thrilled if you chose to represent me. I request permission to submit my full manuscript for your review.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Andrea Gardner

Some great advice!

I just finished reading a great blog: http://querytracker.blogspot.com/2009/05/simple-trick-to-help-you-get-published.html

The information here is so perfect and timely! Hope it helps you as much as it did me.

Blessings

Step Two Includes.....

Morning All, I decided to pop in and bring you up to date on my progress.

Step two of a 3 step process in finding an Agent consists of writing a synopsis, and polishing up your manuscript.

There are so many great sites out there that address writing the synopsis. For my next book, this process will be attempted BEFORE the writing starts. Not sure how that will work because I write according to the scenes in my mind. But I think it might help me focus more. We'll see.

A synopsis is a condensed look at your book. You grab your 88 thousand word manuscript and pull out the pertinent info, the highs, the lows AND the ending. Then you take all of that and write a 2 -YES 2- page synopsis using that info.

The manuscript should be all ready for printing. Check it over one last time, and print it out. (or you might get lucky and be able to submit it by e-mail.)

Don't forget to check your Agents submission requirements or requests. The Agent I am sending to only accepts the above in print and snail mail.

IF your agent requests the same, print it out on BOND paper! I searched over 100 sites on synopsis and manuscript writing and all of them say that you must use bond paper. $$$$ Save up those pennies first! It is not cheap but makes everything look so sharp.

Once it is printed don't bind it in any way, staples, clips etc. I am putting mine in a tan envelope and then into a priority mail envelope. Hopefully the double packaging will keep it from shifting around too much.

Then you mail it out and wait. I plan to start my next novel in hopes of staving off the jitters. I've found a large part of waiting to be published is waiting. Such a lesson for me~ the totally impatient one!

That is where I am at the moment. Praying the response is quick and positive!

UPDATE: I have checked with some Agent friends and the bond paper thing is not true! Thank GOD! I was starting to add up the costs and it wasn't looking good! Off to print and send send them out. Yipee!

I have........

A request for my synopsis and the first 50 pages of my manuscript!

Step two of a 3 step process!

I am polishing my synopsis now and have butterflies!

Please pray that if this is to be my agent, things will go smoothly.

Blessings!