You aren’t going to believe this, but my novel, (redacted), shares elements with Patrick Lee’s The Breach! And here is why. Yes, they are both written in English, but the similarities don’t end there. There are men and women in both novels, sometimes people get shot, and both titles are two words!I'm still laughing.
But more important: the author of this query SHOWED me she read the blog, didn't TELL me.
And her letter is both funny and enticing.
Query letters work.
Slush works.
Don't let anyone tell you any different.
Awesome. Did you end up requesting a partial or full?
ReplyDeleteI love this clever query writer's style and spunk. :)
ReplyDeleteHilarious...and brave.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure it was a query letter written specifically for you. It's highly unlikely that was written once with the Salutation and email address changed a million times.
ReplyDeleteJanet, I just wanted you to know that you have helped me believe in myself again. I have spent countless hours (years) reading books and blogs on writing, submitting, publishing, etc., only to become disillusioned over the years into believing that I'll never break into the writing world. Your recent "slush works" posts have made me believe that it's still possible. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWicked brave, and wicked funny :)
ReplyDeleteHaha. Well done, author.
ReplyDeleteLove the exclamation points! LOL
ReplyDeleteYes, there's definitely a real person behind that letter -- I'd like it.
Oh, so brave and oh, so funny! Great job, author and thanks for sharing, Janet. It's nice to see an opening to a query done well and tailor-made - I applaud the author's gumption.
ReplyDeleteThat is eight different shades of awesome. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteJanet: "Query letters work. Slush works. Don't let anyone tell you any different."
ReplyDeleteSomebody told me just this afternoon, but I blew him off after reading your blog.
Just one more advantage of following your posts on a regular basis.
Why! Why couldn't I have figured out something so simple! Can't wait to see you in Bath, PA wherever that is... I feel like a groupie.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea though: maybe doing a posting of "The Best query line of the day is..." Kind of like a David Letterman's "Top 10" thing.
ReplyDeleteGreat query opener. Did you request a full or a partial?
ReplyDeleteAHAHAH! That's fantastic :). What a great way to show you that you and she would probably "click," too! Thank you for sharing this with us.
ReplyDeleteTthis only makes me cry, "why did I not think of that?"
ReplyDeleteI heard a best-selling author this weekend emphasizing networking a lot more than querying (that is how she got her agent, I think), and strongly advising against critique groups ("writers can be jealous and mean"). I didn't say anything to her (free, signed book!), but I know who the writers in the crowd were.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to the querier, and good luck!
Loved the Bible comparison...Russian authorities took grave exception to the ad campaign IKEA ran saying its catalog had a larger distribution than the Bible.
ReplyDeleteI'm booking marking these posts! Very funny