Okay, so I can't keep it inside anymore.
*covers mouth*
Okay, yes I can.
(NO, my book hasn't sold. Don't go there.)
But I have some major exciting things happening right here on my blog in February. I can't spill everything (that's for newsletter subscribers), but here's a teaser:
Shelli Johannes Wells and I have teamed up. And boy, is that gonna be dangerous! We've got The Query Expert (Elana) planning a major World Domination Tactic with a team of agents (that's right -- plural!), a week of Marketing Gurus, and The Marketing Expert (Shelli) is offering a HUGE Prize from her agent, Alyssa Henkin (for unagented authors) and a Massive Marketing Prize (for agented/published writers).
Here's what you can do right now:
1. Follow my blog (little widget right over there -->).
2. Follow Shelli's blog (you'll have to be a follower of both of us to enter, so just do it now).
3. Subscribe to my newsletter (you'll get the scoop FIRST!).
4. Sit back and relax -- or polish up your MS/synop/query letter/combination of the aforementioned. *winkage*
So there's all of that. It's really going to be a cool time, so stay tuned!
As for the whole World Domination Tactic, well, that's still in the works. I am planning some posts on query letters, and I'd like them to be valuable and entertaining. I mean, that's why you come over here, right? Freak, I hope so.
So I'm wondering: What do you want to know about querying? What kind of information are you looking for? What can I help you understand better? About the letter itself, the process of writing the letter or about sending it out, all of it.
I answer a lot of questions in my ebook--which will be on sale during the WDT--but what do you wish you could get in one--hopefully entertaining--blog post--for free? (Sheesh, can I use another em-dash in that sentence? Beat that, bloggers!)
Inquiring minds...
Find Me Online
38 comments:
Don't need to worry about querying right now, but thanks for following my blog!
Woo-hoo!!! How exciting.
I'd like to know if, when a agent/editor/whatever first gets a query letter, do they initially look for a reason to reject it and move on to the next submission, or do they automatically look for potental and a reason to accept it. I guess I'm wondering if they're bascially the-glass-half-full or the-glass-half-empty kind.
Thanks so much. Can't wait to read these interviews.
Woo hoo! That was the easiest contest to enter yet. I was already doing all those things. :D
Holy exciting! Glad I stopped in today....errrr got me I'm already a stalker, lol!
Phew...I signed up for the e-letter last week!
Okay, I've been following Shelli for over a year, and I subscribed to your blog the other day, but how do I subscribe to your newsletter? I don't see an icon there on the right. Am I just blind? (Probably so)
Oh, gotta say I love the big type on your blog. Some blogs are so hard to read. Especially those with a black background. A little practicality here, people! I mean, seriously, is looking cool more important than having people be able to read your words?
Squeeeee! Can't wait for February!
I'd like to know two things: how to gracefully compare your story structure to that of another (published) story structure.
And is it okay to say fairy tale fantasy as the genre? There is a difference from regular fantasy. Kinda like urban and paranormal. O:)
Oh. And um... how to gracefully say you've got nothin' (published, that is) in your bio. Some agents want one, but only with relevant information and where you live and your day job don't count as relevant--according to said rules from certain agents.
I don't even know where to begin! I have your book, but I'm trying to finish revisions before I think about querying. One thing at a time lest I get overwhelmed. Can I get back to you on questions?
Exciting and oooh I didn't have to do anything to enter Im already subscribed to everything:-) Though Ill double check on the newsletter to make sure:-)
Entertainment...that's the only thing I'm after. : )
This sounds exciting, though! Can't wait to hear more. : )
That is exciting news, and I'm already doing all three. Can't wait to see what's next.
Beyond exciting Elana!!! WOO HOO
Squeeeeee! So excited for you.
Done.
Done.
Done.
Now I'm sitting back and waiting. *Tapping foot* Patiently!
Oh...and what I want to know about writing a query? Can somebody please read my book and write the friggin' thing for me?
Please?
Pretty Please?
I'm already doing 1-3.(and the first half of four) So, I guess I am ready!
Look forward to it! Only 14 days till February, right?
It sounds like you and Shelli have a really exciting February planned. Thanks so much. In terms of query questions, showing us examples of good queries, especially the pitch section, would be really helpful.
Excellent questions, guys! I'll see if I can come up with some entertaining answers.
Lisa, the link for the newsletter is in this post or at the top of my blog right under my header. And just to clarify, you don't have to be a newsletter subscriber to enter the contest. But you'll find out about it earlier than everyone else -- and you'll be more prepared. That's all.
:) Happy day!
Thanks for directing me to Shelli's blog. Looks like a great one. I'm looking forward to reading your newsletter!
My question about queries: What are the cliche phrases that make agents cringe the most?
Oh, my interested has been peaked.
Sounds intriguing!! Can't wait :)
I do so love em-dashes. February sounds quite intriguing indeed -- can't wait. Of course, I'm already a follower of both your and Shelli's fabulous blogs and I just signed up for the newsletter. :)
Elana--I belong to both of your blogs. I signed up for your newsletter, but haven't gotten one yet. Is the newsletter a monthly thing?
Here's a query question...When it's an e-mail query, how do you make it not look like crap when they want you to embed your stuff within the e-mail instead of as an attachment.
(I've sold my books with no agent, using hard copies...I guess I need to enter this century, though.)
Help.
Shelley
conat wait girlie! so fun!
I can't WAIT to see what you gals are up to!
Sooo excited to hear all the great news and World Domination tactics!
Elana, you are awesome! I've been following you for ages (and Shelli, too), but I want to thank you for doing my query critique.
#1 - thanks for volunteering with Bethany and Suzette
#2 -thanks for your suggestions
I appreciate you more than you know and can't wait 'til February. :-)
So excited! So EXCITED!
Hey Brilliant Writer, there's an award for you at my blog :o)
Okay then, I'm ready. I'm all signed up!
yay! I've already done all those steps!
That was easy.
Thanks for the contest, I am now a follower of you and am already a follower of Shelli's! How have I missed your blog all this time? It's awesome!
AWE.SOME!
Oh yeah! I'm totally rocking thrilled. I need something to pick up these winter blues. Haven't seen the sun here in Korea in a while.
This will be awesome!
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