Editing and query letters and literary agents — oh my!
Do you have questions about editing, query letters, and literary agents?
If so, you are not alone! You might have a gazillion questions about the process, and I hope this blog post helps. Keep in mind, there are two sides to writing a book:
- The creative, hands-on element
- The marketing component
First Things First—Editing
Are you working on a thriller? A memoir? A love story? A training manual? Whatever the genre, an outline can be beneficial. Outlines help you tackle the creative part of your project and sometimes morph into your table of content. In short, you’ll create the characters, plot, setting, story arc, cliffhanger, etc.
Once your book is written, it’s ready for editing. Some books only need copyediting (much like proofreading), while others need substantial attention. After all, some authors have a great fiction or non-fiction story to tell, but aren’t equipped to write it. Perhaps English wasn’t their favorite subject. Perhaps English wasn’t their first language. Or, they may be uncomfortable with technology and prefer to have someone else operate the keyboard for them. That’s where I come in. I can ghostwrite a book for you.
Query Letters and Literary Agents
When the editing is done, it’s time to roll out the book. You may choose to self-publish (in which case you’ll need a back cover blurb and Amazon description), or you may want to query agents. This is the very specific, very painstaking business end of book writing.
I edit your query letters, synopsis, and author bio at no extra charge, which most authors find very helpful.
“Thank you for all your hard work. And thanks for the list and the help with the query letter.” ~ Author Sara E. Tall
If you choose to send query letters, do your research first and find literary agents who are currently accepting submissions. Nowadays, many tweet calls for submissions, so consider using social media to find leads. Then carefully read the agent’s website. He or she may ask for the first three chapters and the final chapter. Others may request only one chapter. They may or may not want a long synopsis. They may share tips the help garner a favorable result on their on blogs.
Believe me, your chances of gaining representation improve when you follow their instructions explicitly. And if you manage to draw interest, you’ll hear back.