tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post3195084728817395463..comments2024-02-29T16:50:46.462-05:00Comments on Write What Inspires You! ~ Donna M. McDine: Guest Author ~ Wendy Burt-Thomas, author of The Writer's Digest Guide to Query LettersDonna McDinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00959673932828354020noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-5495465658243477032009-03-03T01:34:00.000-05:002009-03-03T01:34:00.000-05:00Great topic! And love your cover. WD does a great ...Great topic! And love your cover. WD does a great job. <BR/><BR/>Best,<BR/>Carolyn Howard-Johnson<BR/>Blogging at Writer's Digest 101 Best Website pick, www.sharingwithwriters.blogspot.comCarolyn Howard-Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15041591136206289558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-41958913086457867622009-03-02T19:22:00.000-05:002009-03-02T19:22:00.000-05:00Hello One and All...thank you for your great comme...Hello One and All...thank you for your great comments and questions. It has been a banner day at Write What Inspires You!<BR/><BR/>Wendy...your timely responses to is terrific and it has been a pleasure having you as my guest today.<BR/><BR/>Best wishes to all,<BR/>Donna McDineDonna McDinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00959673932828354020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-855397409024483792009-03-02T18:21:00.000-05:002009-03-02T18:21:00.000-05:00Unfortunately, a lot of great work (articles, essa...Unfortunately, a lot of great work (articles, essays, novels, nonfiction books) never see the light of day because the query isn't strong enough for the editor/agent to request the manuscript. <BR/><BR/>I've always told participants in my workshop ("Breaking Into Freelance Writing") that I'm a good writer, but not great. Still, I can market the heck out of my work, which is what makes me a successful writer. I said in another interview that I'd rather be a good writer eating lobster than a great writer eating hot dogs. <BR/><BR/>Hint hint: write a good query so your manuscript gets read!Wendy Burthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10642337229561946747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-30624148532964131732009-03-02T18:17:00.000-05:002009-03-02T18:17:00.000-05:00There's an art to writing a winning query, yet too...There's an art to writing a winning query, yet too many writers don't want to spend time learning this art, which is too bad because they never break in with the magazine markets.<BR/><BR/>Great info. Nice interview, Donna!<BR/><BR/>Suzanne Lieurance<BR/>The Working Writer's Coach<BR/>http://www.workingwriterscoach.comSuzanne Lieurancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11844924439366800477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-57014488479787147552009-03-02T17:05:00.000-05:002009-03-02T17:05:00.000-05:00Super interview, Donna. Thanks, Wendy for your tip...Super interview, Donna. Thanks, Wendy for your tips on writing queries. To me, they're harder than writing the book. :)<BR/><BR/>Beverly<BR/>http://beverlystowemcclure.wordpress.com<BR/>Rebel in Blue Jeans<BR/>http://rebelinbluejeans.wordpress.comBeverly Stowe McClurehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02176195451841801819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-63838040285728563242009-03-02T16:33:00.000-05:002009-03-02T16:33:00.000-05:00Thanks April. How nice of you to say! I get so fru...Thanks April. How nice of you to say! I get so frustrated when I read interviews that are fluffy; I like tangible info, you know? I wish more writers/authors would talk about money - what to expect, what you REALLY make, where the money is in writing. I'm not sure why it's so hush hush. If I had known more when I started I would have changed direction in terms of how to make a living as a writer. I started with poems!Wendy Burthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10642337229561946747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-79070794289814284412009-03-02T16:29:00.000-05:002009-03-02T16:29:00.000-05:00What a wonderful and informative interview! This ...What a wonderful and informative interview! This is one to print off and keep for future reference!Aprilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02026539637409766437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-21140015831768180682009-03-02T14:44:00.001-05:002009-03-02T14:44:00.001-05:00Thanks again for your help Wendy.CherylThanks again for your help Wendy.<BR/><BR/>CherylCherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03470069911115912344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-34232672496436049802009-03-02T14:44:00.000-05:002009-03-02T14:44:00.000-05:00This is fun!FYI, you can read author interviews on...This is fun!<BR/>FYI, you can read author interviews on my blog:<BR/><BR/>http://askWendy.wordpress.com<BR/><BR/>I also list contests, advice, tips, etc.Wendy Burthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10642337229561946747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-67538794060453102362009-03-02T14:43:00.000-05:002009-03-02T14:43:00.000-05:00Oops! The link:http://robinmizell.wordpress.com/20...Oops! The link:<BR/><BR/>http://robinmizell.wordpress.com/2009/02/15/prizewinning-horror-writer-steve-burt-talks-about-professionalism/Wendy Burthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10642337229561946747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-10404462163203132042009-03-02T14:42:00.000-05:002009-03-02T14:42:00.000-05:00Want to see what I mean about the bias toward self...Want to see what I mean about the bias toward self-publishing? Read this Q & A on Robin Mizell's blog with my dad, Steve Burt. Scroll down to the third question about "Is it true you're the first self-published author in history to win the Bram Stoker Award?" He talks about how even though he won the BIGGEST award in horror (They call my dad "The Sinister Minister"), they still won't let him be a voting member of the Horror Writers Association. Ridiculous!Wendy Burthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10642337229561946747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-58127529404592273322009-03-02T14:38:00.000-05:002009-03-02T14:38:00.000-05:00Mayra,Ideally a query should be one page - two at ...Mayra,<BR/>Ideally a query should be one page - two at most. If you go to Amazon and type in "Wendy Burt" you can skim through the book and see some great sample queries (for books, agents and magazines). I have found that it's very difficult to find samples of great query letters on the Web so I was thrilled to get so many real examples for my book.<BR/><BR/>As for listing the published books, you can list them by title, date and publisher. I hate to say it, but if they're self-published you might be best saying "I am the author of several children's books including..." and then name them but don't put the name of the publisher (like Lulu, which is part of Border's self-publishing company). Major houses are still a bit snobbish about self-published authors. I think it's ridiculous (which is why I feature self-published authors right along with Random House authors on my blog), but that's still the way it is.Wendy Burthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10642337229561946747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-26158301670642285202009-03-02T14:26:00.000-05:002009-03-02T14:26:00.000-05:00This is a wonderful interview, Donna.Wendy, thank ...This is a wonderful interview, Donna.<BR/><BR/>Wendy, thank you for all the valuable information. <BR/><BR/>What should be the word count of the 'perfect' query letter?<BR/><BR/>Should I list my titles in the bio, along with the publisher and publishing date, or just keep in general, like, 'I'm the author of several children's books'?<BR/><BR/>Thanks!Mayra Calvanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01444333264952371471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-24167013389397789912009-03-02T14:18:00.000-05:002009-03-02T14:18:00.000-05:00Hi Lea,I'm waiting to hear back from my publishers...Hi Lea,<BR/>I'm waiting to hear back from my publishers (Writers Digest) about the ebook version. <BR/><BR/>I was checking Amazon and WritersDigest.com to see if either accept PayPal. WritersDigest.com doesn't, but you can pay by any credit card or check. Some of Amazon's sub-sellers may accept PayPal - and they're often cheaper than Amazon. Just click on "buy new" and see some of the rates.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for asking!Wendy Burthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10642337229561946747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-91198099666197278482009-03-02T14:10:00.000-05:002009-03-02T14:10:00.000-05:00Cheryl,While you want to save the bulk of the mark...Cheryl,<BR/>While you want to save the bulk of the marketing info for the proposal (queries should ideally be one page - two at most), you can certain use the last paragraph to mention a few relevant credentials like position as book tour promoter, your Web site and your blogs. You can also put some of that in your signature - like this:<BR/>Wendy Burt-Thomas, author<BR/>"Oh, Solo Mia! The Hip Chick's Guide to Fun for One" (McGraw-Hill)<BR/>"Work It, Girl! 101 Tips for the Hip Working Chick" (McGraw-Hill)<BR/>"The Writer's Digest Guide to Query Letters" (January 2009, Writer's Digest Books)<BR/>www.GuideToQueryLetters.com<BR/>www.WendyBurt-Thomas.com<BR/>BLOG: Ask Wendy - The Query Queen: http://askWendy.wordpress.comWendy Burthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10642337229561946747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-85201110023056540652009-03-02T14:02:00.000-05:002009-03-02T14:02:00.000-05:00Thanks for the information, Wendy. I was referrin...Thanks for the information, Wendy. I was referring to children's picture books. Sorry I didn't make that clear in my original inquiry.<BR/><BR/>Now, since marketing is such an important aspect, should I also mention in my query letter that I am a virtual book tour coordinator for Pump Up Your Book Promotion? It seems like that would be important if publishers want to know if you have the ablility to promote your book. <BR/><BR/>I don't have a newsletter. I have a website, three blogs, and I belong to a variety of social networks.<BR/><BR/>Thanks again for your help.<BR/><BR/>CherylCherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03470069911115912344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-57572000859518635442009-03-02T13:48:00.000-05:002009-03-02T13:48:00.000-05:00"That they'll be rich overnight, that they don't n..."That they'll be rich overnight, that they don't need to promote their book once it's published, that publishing houses will send them on world book tours, that people will recognize them at the airport."<BR/><BR/>This should be written on the biggest billboard known to man and in order for a writer to be indoctrinated officially into "author" land, they must stand in front of it and read it. You'll be amazed at how many authors do it for the money.<BR/><BR/>I hope this doesn't show up twice..I'm having trouble with the comment thingee.thewriterslifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09408434848838447115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-18783437413269601842009-03-02T13:32:00.000-05:002009-03-02T13:32:00.000-05:00Terrific interview. Thorougly enjoyed it and no ma...Terrific interview. Thorougly enjoyed it and no matter how many query books I have there's always room for more. Is this available in ebook and via Paypal?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17400208405749086180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-6258086237915351872009-03-02T13:14:00.000-05:002009-03-02T13:14:00.000-05:00I should mention - winning or placing in contests...I should mention - winning or placing in contests is always helpful. Enter as many contests (I post free/cheap ones on my blog) as possible. Editors like to see that you've impressed someone in the industry.Wendy Burthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10642337229561946747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-64545979525665534142009-03-02T13:10:00.000-05:002009-03-02T13:10:00.000-05:00Cheryl,I'll attempt to answer your question based ...Cheryl,<BR/>I'll attempt to answer your question based on the assumption that you're talking about a query or proposal for a novel.<BR/><BR/>While published credits in the same genre (adult novel vs. children's fiction) are ideal, there are two major components that book publishers are looking for: your ability to write (in general) and your ability to market your book. Marketing plays an even larger role today than it did 10 years ago. Publishers do very little to promote your book unless you're an established author with a following. I would put a lot of focus on the fact that you are a professional freelance writer with published credits (in the query). When you get to the proposal part, you can talk about marketing efforts. The buzz word now is "platform" - do you have a newsletter? A fan base? An email list? Public speaking experience? Teaching? Blogs? Are you familiar with social media? That should all go in your proposal. <BR/><BR/>But for the query, focus on writing a great pitch for the novel, then just use one paragraph to talk about your credentials. ("Cheryl Smith is a professional freelance writer with countless published pieces and several children's stories..."Wendy Burthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10642337229561946747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-37787405857207022952009-03-02T12:59:00.000-05:002009-03-02T12:59:00.000-05:00This was a really great interview, Donna. Certainl...This was a really great interview, Donna. Certainly on task, and I learned a lot. I've certainly slaved over query letters, along with sweating some bullets.<BR/><BR/>Good job.Katie Hineshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03279118592523922756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-26905787550462426392009-03-02T12:57:00.000-05:002009-03-02T12:57:00.000-05:00Cheryl,Are you talking about when you write a full...Cheryl,<BR/>Are you talking about when you write a full proposal for a novel? Or are you writing queries for fiction (short stories) in magazines?<BR/>WendyWendy Burthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10642337229561946747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-42101196590602456282009-03-02T11:35:00.000-05:002009-03-02T11:35:00.000-05:00Thank you for sharing this valuable information. ...Thank you for sharing this valuable information. I'm getting ready to send an article and appreciate the assistance. <BR/><BR/>Danielle Simone<BR/><BR/>lamarco.us/hasty<BR/>trailsofnature.blogspot.comDaniellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16063663191707427386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-90443396197716279122009-03-02T11:21:00.000-05:002009-03-02T11:21:00.000-05:00Terri,You're not alone! I just wrote a piece on wh...Terri,<BR/>You're not alone! I just wrote a piece on why it's important to figure out how to put the fun in queries (or you'll lose money in your pocketbook). It's here:<BR/><BR/>http://editorunleashed.com/2009/02/24/hate-writing-query-letters-youre-not-alone/Wendy Burthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10642337229561946747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-20179844157247623512009-03-02T10:50:00.000-05:002009-03-02T10:50:00.000-05:00Excellent interview ladies. Working in book promo...Excellent interview ladies. Working in book promotion, I agree that some authors don't know exactly what to do after they've written their book. It can be very intimidating. <BR/><BR/>Wendy, I've read King's "On Writing" and refer to it often. I'll have to look into the other books you suggested.<BR/><BR/>One of the challenges when I write query letters for manuscripts is that I don't have published fiction credits. My articles for Writer2Writer are all about time management and organization, but my ficiton is for children. Do you have any suggestions?<BR/><BR/>Thanks. I appreciate your time.<BR/><BR/>CherylCherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03470069911115912344noreply@blogger.com