Nathan Bransford - The Forums

I know non-writing credentials don't typically belong in a query. Are there some nuggets of info that are worth mentioning, such as living in the country where the novel is set, or expertise in a subject that's pivotal to the plot? Or does this fall into the category of meh, can't hurt, but doesn't ...

Mommalike, Great job polishing your query. Really, the difference between the first draft and this new one is amazing. Only one thing really stuck out, in a bad way: Liz will have to decide—risk her family’s safety and stability, or go back to plain vanilla after just a taste of excitement. I believ...

How crappy?

My husband knows I'm working on edits when he hears me making barfing noises at the computer.

Yeah, that crappy.

Brandi -- I'll give it a shot. It's strange... I can usually figure out what isn't working in other people's queries, but I flounder when it comes to my own. This query is bleh. I like some of the syntax, but the sentence structure seems too uniform and I'm not sure the plot is coming through, or, i...

Great start! Here are my thoughts. Good luck. Dear Mr. Awesome Agent, Sometimes the dead haunt the living, and sometimes, the living hurt the dead. For a wandering spirit named Mallory Richards, every day hurts. She can't remember how she died, and the memories of how she lived are fading fast. Star...

kathleen wrote:And chick lit is dead!?!??! I didn't know that? When did this happen?

I just saw an ad for Sex in the City 2. So long as Carrie and the girls are running around, you're safe. ;)

Kathleen, Your novel sounds fun, but your query sounds very business-like. I think this is what agents are talking about when they say they're looking for a strong voice in a query letter. (They do say that, right?) Maybe add a few more specifics that show the humor and attitude that I'm sure your n...