Friday, January 16, 2009

Something for the Week-end.
Aside

It’s good to find something we both enjoy doing: watching Ben Fogle on BBC2 6.30pm to 7pm. It’s wickedly delicious to be snug, warm and replete and watch the brave souls pit themselves against the elements on a mountain the name of which Ben endlessly mentions in a funny South American accent –Mount Chimborazo – over 15,000’

It is the closest point to the sun, on earth, and the team have to battle with altitude sickness, climbing on melting ice and the danger of avalanches. They are all fit, healthy people whose normal jobs are helping other people but already one has had to retire Tonight is the final night when they face the ultimate challenge and which Ben says is the most dangerous thing he has ever done. Fingers crossed.

About to send a query letter to agents I came across this web-site:
http://www.agentquery.com/writer_hq.aspx
where they give you all the info you need to know.

In brief it should be a single page introducing you and your book. There should be three concise paragraphs: the hook, the mini-synopsis, and the writer’s biography.

A query letter is meant to elicit an invitation to send sample chapters or even the whole manuscript to the agent. They adjure you to keep it simple and not stray from this format.

The hook is a concise one-sentence tagline for your book and they give helpful examples.

The mini- synopsis is where ‘you get to distil your entire 300 page manuscript into one paragraph. Lucky you.’

Finally – Writer’s Bio – all about you – the writer - which they say you should keep short and related to writing only. These are just the rudiments – in all I printed out five pages of really helpful information. I hope it helps someone else. I’m going to keep this brief as I really have to stop faffing about and get on with it. Late start today as we slept till 8am – a rare occurrence which we are both grateful for.
Have a good week-end

13 comments:

Kim Ayres said...

Maggie and my guilty TV pleasure is "Dexter", late on a Thursday evening, ITV. Last night's episode was good - he finally got back to his psychokiller ways after a period of self doubt and inner turmoil.

Krimo said...

So, we're going to see you in print!! Great!

Anonymous said...

How exciting. What is your tagline - or is that a secret?

Eryl Shields said...

Thanks for the tips and best of luck with following them yourself.

Did you try machine washing your sweater?

Pat said...

Kim: that's one I've missed - meant to be one of America's best. There's still time to catch it.

Krimo: there's many a slip...Don't count your chickens...I could go on. Publishers won't accept an MS unless it comes from an agent and agents accept 1 in a 1000, but hey I'll give it a go:)

Sandy: not a secret - just a work in progress - a job for the week-end.

Eryl: thanks - this is where it gets difficult and I have to make myself get on with it.
I followed your lead and washed 2 cardigans and a sweater and they are perfect. Bless you:)

OldLady Of The Hills said...

THese instructions are really difficult. I can see where ALL the pifalls are, just reading it! (lol)
The tag line....OY VEY! Good Luck on all of it my dear....

My favorite TV Show, not on TV here right now, but they will be back..."MAD MEN"...It is SOOOO SOOOO Good! I hope you will get it over there, if you don't already have it...!

Unknown said...

The Ben Fogle programme was great!

Anonymous said...

Prudence is mother of sureté (proverb meaning... This is while being vigilant and while acting with prudence, that one avoids...),The literary agents read well the letters of question as well as the accompaniment letters in the hope to discover "an idea" (that a "black or dry-cleaner" anonymous author of a text signed by another person), that will receive the price Poulizer so coveted!

An excellent year a lot of happiness Pi,

Nea said...

The one tv program we have been following here is Cranford. And we just missed part 4. They show it again on Wednesday, so we'll have a chance to catch it then.

Good luck with the agent hunt.

Pat said...

Naomi: just notice my answer to your comment has disappeared. I am finding it very difficult but will keep plugging away. I did see 'Mad Men' and it reminded me so much of when I was modelling in the fifties and the men used to behave badly at times. Something to be said for women's lib.

Pat said...

John.G : he's on again next week in the Amazon I think. See you:)

Crabtree: thank you. I'm sure there are some wicked agents out there - I just hope I don't come across one:)

Nea: Cranford was a delight. Thanks for the best wishes - it's a jungle out there.

Di Mackey said...

'Faffing around' - I haven't heard that in a long time but grew up with it. I love your blog, it's like curling up in a nice place and being warm. Good to find you out here.

Pat said...

Di Mackey: hi Di! We have similar surnames which I spotted earlier today. Come and curl up anytime:)