Previously, we talked about building a Submission Packet and followed up on Wednesday with How to Write a Synopsis. As we continue to talk about the items we
should collect for our Submission Packets, the next item on the list is our Query Letter. One Wednesday, January 22nd we will explore the components of a Cover letter.
Here is the List, again, for reference and hints about future topics related to collecting items to save in your Submission
Files.
Things to include in a Submission Packet
Write your Synopsis
Write a Query Letter
Write a Cover Letter
Complete a Publishers Choice Form (Found in the Blog Post)
Revise a Chapter
Write an Author Bio in three sizes, long, medium and short form.
Write some practice Press Releases
Make a List of Potential Blog Hosts
Start a List of Questions to help a Blogger do her homework and Keep the Answers Handy
Save these items in an easy to find file (USB Drive, SD chip, cloud drive)
When you write a Query Letter you are addressing an agent or an editor. If you know their name, use it. Double check to be sure they are still there.
If you meet an agent at a convention or speak with a publisher who indicates an interest, it will not hurt to remind them of when and where you spoke.
The first paragraph should be very close to what you would write for a jacket blurb. Unlike the Synopsis, do not give away the ending. In this blurb, you don’t
want to talk about yourself, you want to sell your book.
If you have any publishing credits or experience that qualifies you to write your book, mention it after the blurb. Do not lead with your advanced age or bring up
the fact that you have no published work. Just leave that out.
Always thank the recipient for her time. They often catch up on queries during lunch breaks or during commutes or the alone time just after the children are put to
bed. It is a big deal that she gave your query some of her spare time.
You should also let the editor or agent know that your book is complete. It is very rare for an editor to give new writers the nod for an incomplete book. You need
to prove yourself up front. Maybe, after your second or third book with an editor, he will consider your unfinished work.
Your Query Letter should be short and to the point. You want to look professional, and you have spent some time learning about the far side of writing a novel.
One final note, if you have written a book about a gardener and you have experience with the genre, you may suggest selling it in garden shops and garden clubs.
This may catch some attention because it shows you are thinking ahead. These days, a publisher may ask for a marketing plan at some point in the submission process.
On Wednesday, we will talk about a Cover Letter. We will look at what it does and how to write it.
Join us tomorrow at 7PM ET at the writerschatroom.com/wp
Your synopsis needs to be compelling. You will use it to hook an editor and keep him reading through to the end. If you can do this, you have your foot in the door.
Join us Wednesday Evening at the Chatroom for more information on Writing a Synopsis.
A synopsis has a specific form.
It is written in the present tense no matter what tense your novel uses. It should follow a single viewpoint character, even if the novel involves more than one viewpoint character. A synopsis is written in third person, again, the novel may be done
in first person. Sticking to these guidelines will reassure the editor or agent that you are being professional.
A synopsis should always include the end of the story. The agent or publisher needs to know that you are capable of ending your novel on a strong note.
The length of your synopsis should be the length the publisher asks for. If she requests 5 pages, send 5 pages or less. Do NOT send 12 pages. Unless, you weren’t serious about submitting and you want your work rejected at this point. A good rule of thumb is 4 pages for
every 100 pages of manuscript. In the publishing universe, short is always better. This means you shouldn’t be padding the synopsis just to meet a ratio of pages.
If you are sticking to one character you may not want to muck up the synopsis with a lot of subplot. Use subplot sparingly. Your synopsis should never stray from the main plot.
So, here comes a checklist.
Synopsis Checklist
Single or double spaced with 1 inch margins and numbered pages.
Written in the present tense no matter what your novel manuscript uses.
Written in the third person regardless of the novel being done in the first person.
Start with a strong hook.
Follow a single viewpoint character though the plot even if you have more than one main character.
Mention your chosen viewpoint character’s motivations and goals.
Follow the story chronologically from beginning to end.
Stick to the essential plot elements.
Use a dramatic tone and presentation.
Always include the ending.
This is part of a series of posts centered around Submission Packets. Use the Links to go back to the other posts.
Next week we can have a look at the second and maybe the third item on the Submission Packet List, a Query Letter and a Cover
Letter.
Sunday’s Topic will address Query Letters and Cover Letters at 7PM ET at the Writer's Chatroom.
Market Research an Ever-changing Landscape
As I was prepping for this topic I made a discovery.
Publishers are being bought and sold and auctioned and given up during bankruptcies. The publication you might discover as a potential market for your short story or article may not actually be there by the time you are writing your
cover letter or query. Or, it may be there, but run by a whole new group of editors. This also happens with websites. It seems the Publishing Universe is not settling out anytime soon. Always, double check the health of the publisher you chose as you were finishing up your submission. As writers, we need to double check, then check one more time because a change in ownership, generally means a change in submission trends and guidelines have changed.
Note on the publisher: As some of you may already know, Writer’s Digest’s former parent company, F+W Media, was auctioned off as part of bankruptcy proceedings in 2019. Penguin Random House LLC acquired the Writer’s Digest Books brand, including the Market Books and WritersMarket.com, while Active
Interest Media acquired everything else branded as Writer’s Digest, including the magazine, conferences, contests, online education, WritersDigest.com, and more. So while we’re still excited about the Writer’s Digest Books brand, we do want to clarify that we’re now owned by separate entities.
writersdigest.com
This news about the Writer’s Market threw me off my game. I was going to tell you how I used their Submission Tracker in 2018 and now, the website is down. A trip to the new owners’ website doesn’t mention anything other than how to
buy their Writer’s Market titles for 2020. I did notice I could buy a copy of The Novel and Short Story Writer’s Market is available in ebook format as well as print. In the case of the Writer’s Market, I think holding the actual paperback makes me feel smarter.
I want to talk about choosing a Publisher. Substitute the idea of an Agent wherever necessary and many Publishers only accept agented work. (I have some notes on how to get around the need
for an agent and they involve going to Writers Conferences and interning for publications, becoming somewhat known in the Publishing Universe.)
Come on over to the chatroom and we will talk about how a Publisher’s Submission Guidelines will change some of the items in your Submissions Packet.
A Submission Packet should include each of the standard things you will come across in your Market Research. You may not use all of the items in your packet for each submission but having it in a readily accessible file is something
you will not regret.
I do wish I could have accessed the Oh So Cool Submission Tracker from 2 years ago. Instead we can talk about the everchanging landscape of publishing. This, according to my experience, was a very successful company.
I am sure Penguin and RandomHouse will continue the tradition well into the 20s. I have no idea about the website.
I will continue to prepare for this topic so come on over to the Chatroom on Sunday, 12 January and be prepared to share your favorite go-to references for Market Research and Submission Tracking.
