Christine Kelly Reads and Writes

As I am getting closer to opening to queries, I wanted to share why I’ll be looking for what I am. ** Please note I recently edited to change my pages from 5 to 10 after speaking to my mentors.**

First, my MSWL is still a work in progress and hope to share that as I get closer to opening. Though an abbreviated version is up on the TPA website.

In the meantime, I wanted to share why I’ll be requesting in my Query Manager:

• Query
• First 10 pages
• Synopsis

I think I can hear the collective groan about wanting a synopsis. I may be the only person who didn’t think they were that bad to write (as an author).

First, for the query, I want to explain what I hope to see in these letters. If you listen to The Shit No One Tells You About Writing, you will find that my preferences are in line with what they teach and suggest. If you haven’t listened to this podcast yet, please know that everything differs agent to agent (ahhh subjectivity), but they provide general rules that will help you tighten your query and get the requests you want!

Queries letters should ideally be under 400 words (sweet spot 250-350). Please CAPITALIZE your title. I prefer italics for your comps, but I know other agents differ. Don’t change your submission for me- just wanted to say that if you have yours in italics, I’m with you! When it comes to comps, you should have at least two in the query and about 5-8 lined up l if agents ask for other books that could be similar. I will not be asking for more than what’s included in the query letter. Please list the “why” your book is a good comp as well. Also include word count and be sure that it fits for your genre. If you don’t know what is a word count for your genre, I’m going to share some hard love…you’re not ready to query and you’re not the exception. Your blurb should be tight, but please don’t worry if you have one typo- things happen. If you are curious what a blurb should look like, read the back cover of your favorite book or your comps. Additionally submitting to Books with Hooks on TSNOTYAW or checking out Query Shark or Eric Smith’s website are great resources!

For the first ten pages, I suggest taking one of the TSNOTYAW’s first five pages course, listening to the podcast, or making sure through beta readers you have punchy first pages that have your readers compelled to keep flipping pages. There should be a clear indication of your voice and writing style as well. I’m only asking for ten pages, because there have been plenty of times I’m not hooked within those first pages and I DNF finish a book (sorry, this post is full of hard love). So for me, that *could* be an indicator it’s not a good fit. That beings said….

The Synopsis. Authors hate them, I…love them. You can ask a CP of mine that I kept asking what was coming next because it would change my feedback for their pages. And that’s why I generally want an idea of where the story is heading so if I find that the first pages are not carrying the heavy lifting, but I like the voice/premise/writing style, I can reference the synopsis to see where the story is going and if it means with a small adjustment the first pages can get to where they need to be. The synopsis also provides an overview that the author can carry through a story with an idea of craft/story development. A tip for writing a synopsis that made it much less painful for me: write down a sentence that sums up each chapter and pull them all together for the synopsis. There are many good tips out there as well if you’re searching for guidance. Jane Friedman always has great free information.

Hope this helps explain why and what I’m looking for as far as materials in QM. I can’t wait to open to see what you all have in store for me!