Nathan Bransford - The Forums

Alright, here is my first draft of my query for my WIP Sendek . I think it is too long. What do you think? Any and all suggestions are appreciated. Thanks! I am a rank amateur so take my advise at your own peril. Your story sounds interesting but I feel your query needs some work (which is why were...

Nathan, if an agent doesn't have a specified synopsis length on the website or asks for a "short synopsis," then what does he typically mean? i know lengths are different per agent, and not everyone's "short" is the same. is there a golden rule? thanks! Sorry lexcade, missed thi...

Hey, hey, I'm new here. I need critiquing on my query letter, for a book I finished writing a couple months ago. Any and all advice is welcome :) I'll give it a shot but remember I am an amateur so take my advice at your own peril. Reading through your query, I was interested and could see your voi...

I've heard 2-5 pages with an emphasis on being closer to 2 as opposed to the 5. I've also read that this is single spaced but am not entirely sure. (If not, I'm in trouble with mine being 3 single-spaced pages).

I, too, struggled with my synopsis. I'm just finishing my best one yet and this is how I got over my hump. For my latest and best draft, before I started writing a single word, I made sure I knew in my head what my main character's story arc was (as opposed to my manuscript's storyline). Then I wrot...

Hey forum groupies, I've tried to slim this down a bit while still maintaining the essence of the story... any and all feedback is appreciated. I haven't read your previous attempts but here it goes. Thanks in advance! ****************************************** Dear [agent], Facing seemingly inesca...

Ok guys I am so excited. I just finished my second novel :) (smile) lol. This novel was more of an easier write than the first one that I am still working on and will be posting a query of once I finish those darn rewrites, but meanwhile I was working on MY LUCKY YEAR. So this is the first time I a...

But always check individual agents' websites. I am doing a query for an agent right now who wants one paragraph for the synopsis. Another agent spoke of her desire of no more than three sentences. In general, I think 150-200 words are good for that portion of the query. My understanding is always on...

Okay, so, I’m one of those new to blogging, but not new to this blog. I’ve been hovering for months, but haven’t found the courage to post anything substantial. So, here I go, or rather, here goes my first attempt at a query and at a "real" post (butterflies in my stomach)! I'll give this...

Thanks so much Dakota! I don't think you are new to this, your suggestions were very very helpful!! Thank you! Here is the newest version guys. Sorry I am redoing this so many times I am just uncovering so many new things that you guys helped out with. Oh and also Dakota, his parents are murdured b...

Thanks for your suggestions! Here is an updated version. I didn't notice that my hook was a little but messed up. You start missing those little nasties when you have your eyes glued to this query for days... Dear Superb agent, Braden first discovered his powerful, yet untrained gift of hypnosis at...

I think in general it is double-spaced, but be careful to research your agent of choice. My last query went to an agent who discussed this in one of her blog posts and said she wanted any requested large submissions double-spaced but to single space the initial 10 pages. Her reasoning was that she w...

Let's face it. No matter how good our books are, a lot of us (myself included) will likely never be published. Or at least our current book may not be published. Two questions. First, how do you you feel about the feature at sites such as lulu which allow you to make a fairly professional copy of yo...

Sounds like this could be interesting bu it is a tad vague in places. Right off the bat, the use of "for a reason," "words of a crazy scholar," and "with little past," doesn't tell a whole lot. I don't know how she fights back or becomes the destructor or what that real...

Hi everyone! I have decided to bite the bullet and post this rough query. I am still in the process of editing, so please, PLEASE keep in mind that I am still hacking away at the word count! This is one version I have come up with, but I would love any feedback as to what its strengths and weakness...