tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6694092506511551308.post4924286886138725779..comments2023-04-12T10:45:21.979-04:00Comments on Deathday Letters: The Query is Dead. Long Live the Query.Shaun Hutchinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01480241164653893038noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6694092506511551308.post-27860254063430604122012-07-02T21:49:45.448-04:002012-07-02T21:49:45.448-04:00That is a great question to which I haven't go...That is a great question to which I haven't got an answer. I think that when reading for pleasure, having the story spoiled would be annoying. But if I was an agent, and my time was limited, I'd want to know if the manuscript I'm considering has all the right parts before I devote time to reading it. Reading a 10 page synopsis of a book and seeing that the last chapter pulls an "it was all just a dream" maneuver could save an agent for reading a 400 page manuscript that falls apart at the end. <br /><br />I think that, if I was an agent, I would't trust a query to do much. I would probably ask for a query and synopsis before getting to the manuscript. I mean, I know that synopses can work. Editors buy books on spec based on a sample chapter and a detailed synopsis.Shaun Hutchinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01480241164653893038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6694092506511551308.post-19867644626353544472012-07-02T18:22:31.299-04:002012-07-02T18:22:31.299-04:00Your idea is very interesting, and I don't thi...Your idea is very interesting, and I don't think it should be too upsetting to authors, because anyone serious about publishing will have to have at least one synopsis anyway, and often others of different lengths. Here's a question: Would a synopsis kill an agent's interest in a book because it gives away the whole plot right when the agent is introduced to it? Or would a good enough story/synopsis still have the power a query is supposed to have to entice the agent to read more? I'd be interested to hear what an agent thinks about this idea.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6694092506511551308.post-21838082147606466992012-07-02T12:37:26.393-04:002012-07-02T12:37:26.393-04:00But difficult is what I'm aiming for! Mwhahah...But difficult is what I'm aiming for! Mwhahahahaha! <br /><br />Honestly, though, I think that the system of queries is so easy to game these days, that agents are requesting stuff that doesn't appeal to them because the query is so well written. A good synopsis can show whether the writer has a handle on her story, and can indicated any plot problems (like a bad ending) before the agent wastes time reading a 300 page novel. <br /><br />I think including 5-10 pages helps because the agent can see the writing style of the author, but I'm not sure it's enough.<br /><br />And my other point is that synopses are DIFFICULT to write. And to me, that would help weed out some people who are looking for instant gratification. People whose books aren't ready. I don't deny that in publishing, persistence is key, but being persistent via email is just too easy. And with all the querying help sites, I think it's overwhelming agents, who find it difficult to wade through the oncoming tide of queries.<br /><br />Luckily, I'm not an agent :)Shaun Hutchinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01480241164653893038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6694092506511551308.post-24788684981044263622012-07-02T11:17:06.958-04:002012-07-02T11:17:06.958-04:00Whoa, whoa, whoa. A synopsis instead of a query?? ...Whoa, whoa, whoa. A synopsis instead of a query?? Bite your tongue, man!! I'd never get any queries out then! :-) And if agents take a while responding to queries, imagine how long it would be for them to respond to dozens of LOOOOONG synopses. BUT, I DO think you're onto something. Sometimes, even with a good query, one does not get the essence of the book. I've heard many agents say they request a sample 5-10 pages and just read those before reading the query because it's the writing they're after. Maybe that's the compromise. A short query and sample pages (not all agents request pages). I think if sample pages were included an agent could get the gist of the story and writing immediately and then bypass the step of asking for sample pages and just ask for the partial or full after the pages.Margie Gelbwasserhttp://www.marigewrites.comnoreply@blogger.com