what is the best way to attract and agent or editor to your query letter? Is there some sort of secret code here I'm not understanding? They all see that I have very few credentials and no degree and they don't even give me a shot. How do i prove to them I CAN write and write well?
2006-08-07 11:20:45 · 4 answers · asked by tonyamarie0404 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
You have to write well and show them what you write. By a recent copy of Writer's Market and study it. Use it as a guide. Get a professional writer to critique your work before you send it to anyone. You must write and write and write and rewrite five to tens times more than you write. I rewrote a short story 22 times one summer. When it was finished, I knew how to write short stories. That's the kind of dedication and determination needed to make it in writing.
Write, write, write, write, and rewrite until the work is perfect. Then send samples with a cover letter to agents telling how many years you've been writing and what reasonable goals you have. Agents only want writers they are pretty sure will make them money, which is why they're agents. They earn their living off of writers' works. They aren't going to give anyone the time of day who doesn't appear to be a probable money-maker.
Hang in there. And write.
2006-08-07 11:31:59 · answer #1 · answered by quietwalker 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To be honest, its all about the writing first and foremost. If you write an engaging query letter, which features a summary that interests them, they will request it regardless of "credits."
Pretty much anyone should be able to get requests for partials. If you're not getting that-- then you're doing something wrong. If you get to the partial stage and never get any further, its the writing that isn't working for them...though even that is subjective.
Also, If you're unpubbed, you really need to go the Agent route. Plus, if you query editors and get shot down, agents are less likely to take a chance...beucase you're asking them to shop something that's already been shopped.
I'm an agented writer, and I got said agent with NO credits to my name.
If you want help with your query, feel free to email me: amandaYAwriter AT Yahoo DOT com.
Good Luck!
~Mandy
2006-08-07 18:38:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Start submitting transcripts to every place you can, especially for short pieces. When you are published enough times that you have an impressive list to mention of your publications, your query letters will be more effective.
2006-08-07 18:27:01 · answer #3 · answered by magpie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get the latest copy of the Writer's Market (published annually); there is a section in the front that addresses this topic in full.
Good luck!
2006-08-07 18:26:13 · answer #4 · answered by silvercomet 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋