Nathan Bransford - The Forums

Very thought-provoking, Rob. We all need to keep open minds in this time of great change.

There's so much going on in the book that it has proven very, very difficult for me to boil it down into a simple hook. Terry, whenever I feel that way as I'm trying to write a query letter, I try to shift my thinking from the protagonist's actions to his feelings. This is a query letter, after all...

I agree that it needs to be "punched up" a bit. For example, the first two or three sentences. What about something like, "As a lonely Catholic-orphanage foundling in turn-of-the-century Prague, Emil Sirotek yearns for his lost mother. When he discovers her true identity, however, his...

I agree with Mr. Williams. The problem with trying to be calculating about markets is that by the time you actually write something, the markets have changed. Again. And they're going to keep changing and changing, so just find what you love and stick to it.

Thanks for this article. It's wonderful, and yet sad, to read about a time when "the masses" were clamoring for great literature.

You could even write "Requested Partial Attached" as your email title if you're that worried about it. But I've sent out literally hundreds of attachments to agents and never once had a problem with it.

Yeah, I'd keep it double-spaced, but I don't think this would be a deal-breaker with most agents either way.

I used to query small publishers-- and even some editors at big houses-- on certain projects after having no luck with agents, but I no longer do that and can't imagine I ever would again. Why? Because it just didn't work. Ever. No one was ever rude to me about it, and a few of them even looked at m...

Not only does it annoy agents, but it's just a waste of our time. As Nathan said, ultimately a no is a no, so what's the point?

I find old tickler files-- whether they be on my computer or hand-written in notebooks-- all the time. They usually look something like this: Support from the left side but not too plastic! Make girl 3 brunette because of the happy yogurt. Click click click on the stairs and then parade comes down t...

I agree with Marilyn; it's the typos that drive me insane. I realize that editors just don't have the same kind of time they used to, but I'm talking about GLARING typos. As far as style, yes, many authors have just become extremely stubborn, and there's only so much an editor can do. http://www.fiv...

Well, I am supposed to be working on a YA novel, but I just got hired to co-write a book about the Bible. So that will probably be taking up most of my time for the next three or four months.

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