Dear Query Shark,
I have recently written a novel and I need comments and revision for it.
(word count 591)
***
- Prologue -
Dark Tidings
(redacted)
- Chapter One -
(redacted)
contact info:
(redacted)
This is NOT a query. It misses every single thing required in a query letter except contact information.
Although the subject line says you read and followed the directions, I don't believe it.There is not a chance in the world you read 150+ query letters and thought this was what to send.
This is not a form rejection; this would be deleted without a reply.
Start over.
12 comments:
On the bright side, at least this one was relatively easy to critique.
Did #157 just decide to post on a lark and think his/her book would get critiqued?
Dude...wrong website, and an even worse idea.
The only possible reason for you to read and not follow the directions is if you thought Janet was going to read your book.
It don't work that way bo-bo.
Just noticed that they're asking for comments and revision, not representation. Perhaps the author should join a reading group or get some people to read the work. Doesn't sound like they should be at the querying agent stage just yet. That or they're just really shy, who knows, there might be a masterpiece here, would be a shame to let it go. Read through the other 156 posts here. It should give you a better idea of what's needed.
Apparently the submitter thought this was a reading circle >_>
So many obvious mistakes.
Maybe he/she was chumming.
The scary thing is that the poster couldn't possibly have read even ONE of QS's critiques if they believe this is what you are looking for.
Querier: Comments on your manuscript are something you get friends to give you, as a favor. You can't ask it of total strangers.
Revisions are your job. Your endless job. Once you've finished your manuscript, you will probably want to revise it several times before you even show it to friends and family.
You should join a writers' group if you want comments for revision.
When I started to read this, I thought it was a joke.
Honestly. :S
@Claire Dawn,
Maybe it IS a joke. Maybe the author wanted to write a horrible "query letter", have QS rip it apart, then get the chance to send in a spiffy, smashingly perfect query letter, all so QS would jump out of her chair and scream, "I can't believe you were able to do it! I've GOT TO READ PAGES!!"
(Note: I've actually thought about doing this, especially as QS has ignored my query letter. Maybe I'll try this for April Fool's Day next year. J/K.)
It has to be a joke. Come on...a 591 word count novel? That's not even a novella. That's like...half a paragraph.
Sun Up, I think the 591 word count wandered in from the previous post-- it's the word count of the last query letter.
clearly the blogger isn't the only shark around here. You guys are harsh XD It's kind of amusing.
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