Nathan Bransford - The Forums

Scott wrote:Be true to the story. A good ending is far better than a happy one.

QFT.

The ending should end "right" even if it doesn't end happy.

Most likely the contest spells out the contract (if one is offered) and it's non-negotiable. An agent wouldn't do you any good.

Good grief. If you want to know whether or not an agent is open to submissions, just check their website. If it says *closed to submissions*, then you know not to send. It doesn't take a phone call and checking on-line won't get you filed away in the agent's memory as the annoying one who interrupte...

Your word count is going to negate your query. 197,000 words is TOO LONG.

5-10, favorites first.

Almost 200,000 words? I really think you want to cut that by a novel's length.

You might want to reword your description of Rasi. Right now, he sounds like Doctor Octopus from the Spider-Man comics.

Imagine a query that follows the expected formula (WHO needs to do WHAT or BAD THING will happen) and ends with the final question: Can he do it before x takes place? You don't have to phrase it as a question. The only question is whether or not he can ______________ before __________________. (or ...