Search found 70 matches

by lachrymal
January 2nd, 2011, 12:32 pm
Forum: Finding An Agent
Topic: Full Requests
Replies: 6
Views: 3453

Re: Requests for Fulls and MONTHS of silence

The convention is that, even if an agent asks for query only, it's OK to send the first 5 pages along with it. HOWEVER, I would research each agent specifically, because most say that's all right, but a few specifically say they don't like when someone doesn't follow their specific instructions for ...
by lachrymal
January 2nd, 2011, 9:32 am
Forum: Finding An Agent
Topic: Full Requests
Replies: 6
Views: 3453

Re: Requests for Fulls and MONTHS of silence

I agree that 6 requests out of 32 is pretty decent. Quite good, in fact. And I agree with Wilderness that sometimes you have to let it ride and just wait for that one agent to fall in love with your work. However, when I queried, I think I DID waste some queries. I sent out too many too early, and t...
by lachrymal
January 1st, 2011, 3:03 pm
Forum: Finding An Agent
Topic: Full Requests
Replies: 6
Views: 3453

Re: Requests for Fulls and MONTHS of silence

Arielswan, Yes, it's difficult to wait and the process is slow. Two, even four months is not that long to have a full or partial ms, especially during the holiday season. I ended up getting an offer from an agency that had had my ms for 5 months--they hadn't even started reading it when I got anothe...
by lachrymal
October 30th, 2010, 7:55 pm
Forum: Ask Nathan
Topic: Querying two different projects?
Replies: 1
Views: 1317

Querying two different projects?

I apologize if this issue has been previously addressed, but: I queried Project #1 for 5 months. Ninety-nine queries. At this point, 8 agents still have full manuscripts (they've had them varying lengths of time, from 1-5 months), but I'm finished sending letters out. Throughout the time I was query...
by lachrymal
October 12th, 2010, 6:21 pm
Forum: Ask Nathan
Topic: Agent has full. Should I sent a revised manuscript?
Replies: 4
Views: 3009

Re: Agent has full. Should I sent a revised manuscript?

One agent's opinion (and, in case you're wondering ... she'd had my ms about a month when I sent that email to her). http://agencygatekeeper.blogspot.com/2010/07/heres-my-revision-will-you-read-it-how.html I think it depends on the agent, the type of revision, etc., but that post gives some tips. Be...
by lachrymal
October 10th, 2010, 8:03 am
Forum: Queries
Topic: First Light query. YA Fantasy
Replies: 18
Views: 6352

Re: First Light query. YA Fantasy

If not remembering your past is bad then Ashalei Callister’s life is about to become hell. I see some people have thought this is catchy--I think it's problematic. It leads to an expectation that "not remember [her] past" is what the book is about, but apart from the second and third sent...
by lachrymal
September 11th, 2010, 4:49 pm
Forum: Queries
Topic: Brand New WHAT A PAINE! Funny UF
Replies: 12
Views: 3854

Re: Brand New WHAT A PAINE! Funny UF

I think this query is solid. I only have two comments: 1. I suggest removing the quotes around vampire and demon. When you use quotes, it sounds like you're saying they're not really those things. It doesn't convey that they're more mainstream or mild versions of those things. Your query implies the...
by lachrymal
September 10th, 2010, 7:28 pm
Forum: Finding An Agent
Topic: Rejection Stats
Replies: 227
Views: 149131

Re: Rejection Stats

post deleted.
by lachrymal
September 10th, 2010, 6:10 pm
Forum: Queries
Topic: Black Hole Son - V4
Replies: 11
Views: 3726

Re: Black Hole Son - V4

I'm certainly not saying you should offer forth a laundry list of events. However, it sounds like you've built a world, and this new query gives little sense of it. My own query is, in a very scant way, synopsis-y, so perhaps I lean in that direction. Your story sounds truly unique, and it tips the ...
by lachrymal
September 8th, 2010, 9:34 pm
Forum: Queries
Topic: Black Hole Son - V4
Replies: 11
Views: 3726

Re: Black Hole Son - V4

The world of the future is a harsh place. Even harsher for Remy and Ash. They're brothers [the way you've got your sentences sequenced, I expected an explanation for why the world was a harsher place for these guys--and you seem to be telling me it's because they're brothers. Is there any way you ca...
by lachrymal
September 8th, 2010, 6:53 pm
Forum: Queries
Topic: Young Adult paranormal romance
Replies: 11
Views: 4176

Re: Young Adult paranormal romance

I immediately got the Twilight vibe here, and then, when you revealed he was an alien, I thought, "Oh, Twilight with aliens!" Unfortunately, you're fighting against this in your query. Perhaps your story bears no resemblance to Twilight, apart from the slightly-misfit-girl-is-brand-new-at-...
by lachrymal
September 6th, 2010, 7:33 am
Forum: Queries
Topic: new WHAT A PAINE! query page 3
Replies: 32
Views: 10958

Re: Final (I hope) WHAT A PAINE! Query See page 2

You have done some wonderful work on your query. I only have a few little comments and suggestions. Dear Agent, After the influx of “Twilight moms”, Reece Paine believes our world isn’t ready for the truth about paranormals [I don't really get this. Twilight moms should love vampires and werewolves...
by lachrymal
September 1st, 2010, 8:14 pm
Forum: Queries
Topic: Figments - YA Urban Fantasy Query
Replies: 5
Views: 2196

Re: Figments - YA Urban Fantasy Query

Interesting idea, but your query is pretty confusing. I think you need to take a step back and try to read it like someone who does not know your story would. It's nearly impossible to make sense of this. I suggest you rewrite it from the ground up--who is the main character, what's the conflict, an...
by lachrymal
August 23rd, 2010, 2:49 pm
Forum: Excerpts
Topic: Excerpt: Equinox -- YA romance
Replies: 4
Views: 2062

Re: Excerpt: Equinox -- YA romance

I second Emily J's crit about some of the writing here. In addition, one of the things I noticed was a rather large backstory/info dump. The last half of your excerpt is backstory and takes us away from the action. Is there any way you could work this in more naturally, rather than explaining the en...
by lachrymal
August 23rd, 2010, 7:09 am
Forum: Queries
Topic: Query: Equinox -- YA romance (take 3)
Replies: 16
Views: 5876

Re: Query: Equinox -- YA romance (take 3)

This might be just a problem I have, so check it out with others. But--the first time I read this, I got totally distracted by the number of times you used the words "her mom". I think it was something like 10 times in this brief query. Since Kenzie is on a first name basis with this lady...