tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812909700950069050.post8562550086799095682..comments2024-03-16T01:00:59.945-04:00Comments on Query Shark: QUERY SHARK FAQJanet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812909700950069050.post-7386685335994995032013-12-13T18:28:00.591-05:002013-12-13T18:28:00.591-05:00"(if you ask a question other than about QS i..."(if you ask a question other than about QS it won't get posted. Things like "double spaced?" or "should I mention I live in Antarctica?" are not about how QS works. You can get those asked and answered at AbsoluteWrite Check them out.)"<br /><br />Damn. Never mind.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />Fish FoodJuliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15041316285692964293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812909700950069050.post-3362592541826298222013-06-23T17:33:06.046-04:002013-06-23T17:33:06.046-04:00Thanks for clearing up "FTW." I thought ...Thanks for clearing up "FTW." I thought it was a more acceptable method of conveying something else by reversing the letters. (FTW do I know}?uldbfunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14552171012623329703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812909700950069050.post-4505944460015063862013-02-18T02:09:43.703-05:002013-02-18T02:09:43.703-05:00Run Hawk Run, no graphic novels on QS. They are a ...Run Hawk Run, no graphic novels on QS. They are a specialty that I know nothing about.Janet Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812909700950069050.post-6610946931761130712012-12-04T13:16:01.056-05:002012-12-04T13:16:01.056-05:00I can't seem to find this in the FAQ or any re...I can't seem to find this in the FAQ or any related posts.<br /><br />Do you accept queries for graphic novels?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812909700950069050.post-27909104787896233872012-06-30T14:03:40.985-04:002012-06-30T14:03:40.985-04:00Thanks for the info. Commencing 120-day countdown....Thanks for the info. Commencing 120-day countdown.Ron Waltershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02470028719946101020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812909700950069050.post-85586397117267509162012-06-29T08:30:56.761-04:002012-06-29T08:30:56.761-04:00I'm not a huge fan of getting revisions before...I'm not a huge fan of getting revisions before 120 days.Janet Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812909700950069050.post-73897103335807197912012-06-29T06:40:38.163-04:002012-06-29T06:40:38.163-04:00If I emailed you a query a couple of weeks ago, bu...If I emailed you a query a couple of weeks ago, but have since reworked the opening paragraph because I realized the one I sent you was terrible, can I send you the new version? Or hold off for 120 days?Ron Waltershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02470028719946101020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812909700950069050.post-33635342415660054352012-03-02T03:37:23.070-05:002012-03-02T03:37:23.070-05:00Oh NOOOOO Sorry, Query Shark. I posted the last p...Oh NOOOOO Sorry, Query Shark. I posted the last post in the wrong forum. It was intended to go here:<br /><br />http://queryshark.blogspot.com/2010/10/questions.html<br /><br />I'd read through the questions and the ones in the post before this one weren't answered in the thread. <br /><br />Too late now. I didn't copy it first before hitting submit.Hope Welshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04007282596035816113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812909700950069050.post-73265688567373369732012-03-02T03:35:04.895-05:002012-03-02T03:35:04.895-05:00I found this information so helpful. I'm sure ...I found this information so helpful. I'm sure I'm not the only new person around.<br /><br />I'd love a job reading through pages of manuscripts. I wanna be a SHARK when I grow up.<br /><br />As I was reading some of the questions, I realized I'd read the answers elsewhere. Hopefully, I didn't answer any that someone else answered. I tried not to.<br /><br />Hope they help someone.<br /><br /><i>JULIAN wrote...<br /><br />Are there winners which you don't post, given that 99% are not posted?<br />Or do you post every winner? </i><br /><br />From the FAQ: <br /><br />No. Yes.<br />I don't use QueryShark entries as an auxiliary query pool.<br /><br /><i>Theresa Milstein said... <br /><br /> When can I figure I'll never see that particular query used as an example? </i><br /><br />FAQ: 7 120 days or so<br /><br /><i> Marie said...<br /><br />…My point is, there seems to be a trend where writers submit log lines as queries and queries as the synopsis.What's your take on this? Thank you.</i><br /><br />In reading through many of the archived queries, it seems the Shark isn’t terribly fond of log lines. <br />The query, per her comments, is to tell her who the protagonist is, what’s a stake, what are the consequences of the choices. A query is designed to make the Shark want to read more. It’s not intended to tell the entire story. A synopsis isn't supposed to leave unanswered questions--it can't be a cliffhanger. <br /><br /><br /><i>Josin L. McQuein said... <br /><br />For the queries that end with "I'd request pages" from the Shark, do you request pages off the QS submission, or do you wait for the person to query you officially at your J.Reid email? </i><br /><br />This was my question, too. In one particular response, I read that she asked the writer for the manuscript or pages. But, in the FAQ she says: <br /><br />I don't request pages from QS postings. I'm glad when those authors do query since they have projects that sound interesting. I've read ten or so full manuscripts that I originally met here at QS.<br /><br /><i>Jinlong said... <br /><br />If someone sends you a query but get an agent before the query is posted here</i><br /><br />This was in the FAQ as well:<br /><br />Withdraw the query. <br /><br /><i>ironicmom.com said... <br />Is there a similar site that deals with non-fiction queries? </i><br /><br />I read: not that she knows of—but if someone finds one, she wants to know where it is.<br /><br /><i>Dave said... <br /><br />Is it okay to ask if you've signed up any Shark winners? </i><br /><br />I read that she’d signed one.<br /><br /><br /><i>Kathryn said... <br /><br /><br />I've spent thirty years writing sermons, essays, articles for professional journals, devotionals, etc. I realize their irrelevance for fiction. Even worse, I fear my identity as a minister will lump my novel into the inspirational genre, which it doesn't fit.<br /><br />Any guidance here? </i><br /><br /><br />I’ve read through 99% of the archives. From my reading, I’d say that she doesn’t care what you do—and there’s no need to tell her. It could hinder you, even.<br /><br />Published FICTION you want to tell an agent always.<br /><br />I saw one reply from the Shark that she often worried about books written by attorneys and physicians because they may focus on the wrong area.<br /><br />I'd write writing organizations, personally, like RWA for romance.<br /><br /><i>Redia said... <br /><br />so if i wanted my query to be reviewed, do I post it in comments??</i><br /> <br /><i>dmnsqwrtr said... <br /><br />I'm current working on a fantasy novel and it has multiple POV characters. I'm wondering if I should mention somewhere that there's more than one POV</i><br /><br />I wouldn’t mention it. I don't remember many in the "good" ones that even mentioned POV at all.<br /><br /><i>Mollie Player said... <br /><br />I'm just wondering if I can get email notifications of new blog posts or subscribe by email. </i><br /><br />On the main page is a link to click to subscribe to the blogHope Welshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04007282596035816113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812909700950069050.post-70005023244700619802012-03-02T01:40:30.527-05:002012-03-02T01:40:30.527-05:00Hello Query Shark,
I'm a tad confused. On #8 ...Hello Query Shark,<br /><br />I'm a tad confused. On #8 you say that you don't request pages from QS submissions, but I'm about 99% sure I read several where you've replied with something along the lines of "SEND NOW". Is that just a way to let the author know you liked their work and that they should email the query to your agency immediately? <br /><br />If so, should they remind you that you liked the query they sent to QS in their query to your agency?<br /><br />ThanksHope Welshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04007282596035816113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812909700950069050.post-18363623476982413982012-01-27T16:46:19.230-05:002012-01-27T16:46:19.230-05:00Dear QS,
You suggest typing the query directly int...Dear QS,<br />You suggest typing the query directly into email rather than performing cut-and-paste from a Word doc. Does this apply to the first several pages of the ms as well? I'm concerned about typing foibles and weird formatting, especially since I've obsessed over making the ms (Word doc) perfect. <br /><br />Thanks!Jenadolphhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06930867835019851163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812909700950069050.post-57392590001922341442011-11-29T20:27:52.006-05:002011-11-29T20:27:52.006-05:00Are you seriously asking if QueryShark covers adul...Are you seriously asking if QueryShark covers adult fiction?<br /><br />I"m going to guess you mean something else, but it's not clear to me what it is. Start again.Janet Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812909700950069050.post-54151120686516584722011-11-29T20:23:01.154-05:002011-11-29T20:23:01.154-05:00I saw that you accept queries for picture books, m...I saw that you accept queries for picture books, middle grade, and YA. Do you do adult fiction as well? <br />You also stated that you review for categories that you don't represnt. Any category/genre?The Sheepish Gardenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16488498853418876843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812909700950069050.post-29915408101165978382011-09-12T03:30:53.329-04:002011-09-12T03:30:53.329-04:00@Chris and @JD: Nope.
http://queryshark.blogspot.c...@Chris and @JD: Nope.<br />http://queryshark.blogspot.com/2007/08/how-to-get-your-query-letter-discarded.htmlChristine Tylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08711726941768571495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812909700950069050.post-7494173467410041202011-07-16T01:41:36.587-04:002011-07-16T01:41:36.587-04:00maybe this has already been answered-- but even if...maybe this has already been answered-- but even if a query isn't posted on the blog, will one get a reply/tips on making the query better? (Just remember snide answerers-- there are no stupid questions, just stupid answers!)<br /><br />thanks lol ;)JDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10728827467806388541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812909700950069050.post-13016791723502615092011-07-04T11:33:14.197-04:002011-07-04T11:33:14.197-04:00@A Fish Alone: I think Ms. Shark says the query sh...@A Fish Alone: I think Ms. Shark says the query should be no more than 250 words. The thought is that the agent doesn't have all day to vet queries, so the query has to get to the point and sell the work very quickly. Also, if the agent is checking queries on his/her smart phone, the query needs to be visible without a lot of scrolling (which is also why she says to put contact info at the end of the query, not at the top).<br /><br />As I work on my query, I try to put myself in the shoes of a busy agent with coffee in hand, on the way to a meeting with a publisher, trying to go through e-mail queries one-handed on an iPhone in the back of a cab. I figure if the query can get the interest of the agent in that scenario, it might have a hope!<br /><br />I hope that helps. I suppose if this gets posted, Ms. Shark approves of the response. :)Colinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10543594288532645214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812909700950069050.post-55909983205102290152011-07-02T13:48:08.904-04:002011-07-02T13:48:08.904-04:00What is the ideal word count for a query letter? A...What is the ideal word count for a query letter? As I read your posts I continue to pare mine down.A Fish Alonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03365831641548409569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812909700950069050.post-50569132275686852742011-06-29T10:14:34.735-04:002011-06-29T10:14:34.735-04:00What is the difference between saying "I'...What is the difference between saying "I'd request pages," and "Send pages NOW! In fact, why are you still reading this?!"? If a lucky poster should have one of these two comments attached to their query, would you expect the same response (i.e., pages in your inbox)?Colinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10543594288532645214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812909700950069050.post-76775567072340230922011-05-07T19:33:29.493-04:002011-05-07T19:33:29.493-04:00QueryShark posts start with #1. Don't pay atte...QueryShark posts start with #1. Don't pay attention to the date. I change the date on posts that are instructions as a housekeeping tool.Janet Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812909700950069050.post-4312503838258300452011-03-28T20:07:34.503-04:002011-03-28T20:07:34.503-04:00Is January of 2004 truly the beginning? I want to ...Is January of 2004 truly the beginning? I want to be sure I've read everything, and the January 2004 archive postings refer to prior goings-on.Randy Chestnuthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18120679679205898581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812909700950069050.post-60622746474100207072011-02-11T10:50:46.033-05:002011-02-11T10:50:46.033-05:00NoNoJanet Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812909700950069050.post-69362488790194196752011-02-11T10:09:56.171-05:002011-02-11T10:09:56.171-05:00Is it possible to get feedback even if the query i...Is it possible to get feedback even if the query isn't posted on the blog?cetus521https://www.blogger.com/profile/11229265526517090591noreply@blogger.com