Her post on things to not say in a query letter - very valuable advice by the way! - includes this gem: (remember, Rachelle's agency focuses on Christian writing and books)
Query letter:"I realize you require information about my platform and credentials, but Jesus’ disciples did not have impressive resumes, degrees, or extensive evangelical experience... my credential is that I am a disciple of Christ."
RG: True, but the disciples could get an endorsement from Jesus…in his own handwriting. Bring me one of those and we’ll talk.
15 comments:
"Jesus’ disciples did not have impressive resumes, degrees, or extensive evangelical experience"
That is a matter of timing. Before he taught them to be fishers of men? Maybe so. After years of tutelage under the Son of Man? I bet their experience was, in a word, divine.
Whatever the case, it led to publishing contracts for for Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
My Favorite.
"This book contains scripture and nothing else."
RG(Um, I think they call that The Bible.)
However, if one went about writing a work of fiction using nothing but actual scripture, that would be interesting to see.
She is a hoot. Wonder if she'd rep my fiction novel?
Hey Janet, thanks for the post and the link!
Rick, good point about the publishing contracts for the disciples. It totally illustrates what I'm always trying to tell writers... you have to study and learn for years (at the feet of a Master, hopefully) to make it as a writer!
As long as it isn't a non-fiction novel... :)
As long as it isn't a non-fiction novel
Um, I believe Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is considered a non-fiction novel.
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John had contracts? Wow, imagine their royalty payments to date.
Cathy in AK, the copyright's been expired on their books for over 1900 years. And they didn't do an awful lot to protect their copyright, either. Just kind of let it fall into the public domain.
Ms. inherwritemind1:
You may be interested in reading way #6 on "How to Shoot Yourself in the Foot", and earlier post on this blog:
http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/2008/11/elevate-foot-shoot-same.html
Janet's blog is nothing if not enlightening.
BJ: And that is why having the right agent is so important :)
BJ: "Fiction novel" was a joke.
And, according to Wikipedia, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil was a non-fiction novel.
The book's plot is based on real-life events that occurred in the 1980s and is classified as nonfiction. Because it reads like a novel, it is sometimes referred to as a "nonfiction novel," a subgenre popularized by Truman Capote and Norman Mailer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midnight_in_the_Garden_of_Good_and_Evil
I don't give a fig what Wikipedia says. Use "narrative non-fiction" to describe a project like In Cold Blood or Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil.
On an entirely unrelated note, I encourage you to check out (and blog about?) Roald Dahl's "writing hut":
http://www.roalddahlmuseum.org/discoverdahl/exploring/default.aspx
It's tiny! and filthy! I love it.
Great link. I started reading back through her other posts. Lovely to find another blog to follow.
I have the great good fortune to be represented by Rachelle, and I have to agree. She cracks me up, as well. Well, except when she wants me to rewrite sections of my masterpiece.
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