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Writers Workshop: Write A Powerful Query to Net Sales
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Dancing Word Writers Workshop with Suzanne Eller January 22, 2002
Hosted by: Anne McDonald Dancing Word Publisher/Editor *This chat has been edited for clarity Anne McDonald: Tonight we have a special guest with us. But before I introduce her, let's open in prayer, and then I'll go over protocol. Father, thank You so much for Your love and blessings. Please be with us tonight, and guide our conversation. Bless Suzie as she shares with us. In Jesus' name, Amen. Protocol reminder: Please type ! for comments, ? for questions, and ga when you have finished your thought or question. Tonight, we are blessed to have T. Suzanne Eller with us. Suzanne Eller:: ) Anne McDonald: Suzie is quite the expert at writing successful query letters, and she is going to share her techniques with us. Welcome Suzie. Suzanne Eller: Thank you, Annie * Annie hands the floor over to Suzie and leads the applause Suzanne Eller: It's good to be here. The first question I want to ask is how many of you write queries on a regular basis? How many of you have written a query? Kate: My hand's up * Annie raises her hand Aisha: I have! bee: Me, several. Tracey: I've written one Suzanne Eller: If you could ask one question about queries, what would it be? Anne McDonald: How do I make the query interesting but to the point? Aisha: I am confused about the exact definition of a query. I'm not sure I've written one, actually. Suzanne Eller: Let's start with the definition then. A query is a creative one to two page single-spaced letter that contains a hook, a synopsis of your idea, supporting information, and your writing credits. It should also provide details such as differing slants and options such as: sidebars, quizzes, and approximate word count and turnaround time. That is a query in a nutshell. Why do you think you would write a query as opposed to a full manuscript? Anne McDonald: To give the publisher a brief idea of the writing project. Suzanne Eller: That's part of the idea, but not the entire reason. When I first started writing, I sent complete manuscripts. Now it's important to understand that some publishers want a complete manuscript, but many ask for queries. Once I realized I could sell ten times as many pieces by writing queries as opposed to complete manuscripts, I was hooked. When you send a query, you are sending an idea: an idea that can have different angles, slants, etc., that gives the editor more options than if you send a complete manuscript. Any questions so far about what we have discussed? Anne McDonald: How do queries for nonfiction differ from short fiction? Suzanne Eller: They don't except for the supporting information. But usually short fiction needs to be sent in complete manuscript form. Most editors ask for the complete manuscript for fiction because it's simply easier. vikki: What do you think of email queries? Suzanne Eller: Love them! I sent two off today. They need to be just as formal as a snail mail query. But minus the postage and SASE. : ) vikki: I never seem to get a response. Suzanne Eller: Vikki, Check the guidelines and the response time. If it has been an appropriate amount of time, contact them. Tre: Do you have an example of a query? Suzanne Eller: Tre, we will build one tonight. Okay? : ) Any other questions before we proceed? First, let's discuss the parts of a query. The first and most important part (at least to me) is the hook. A hook is a question, quip, quote, anecdote or statistic that is intended to intrigue the editor. It also gives a sample of your writing style and tone, and the tone of the piece. Your hook should be placed somewhere in the first paragraph, or at least toward the top of the query letter. Is anyone working on a query right now? vikki: yes Tre: sort of... Suzanne Eller: BTW, Annie, I'm not ignoring your earlier question. We'll get to it. : ) What is it, Vikki? vikki: for a children's story Suzanne Eller: To make it easier for everyone, does anyone have a non-fiction idea (article idea) that they are working on? A children's story usually needs to be sent in a complete mss. UNLESS it is a children's article. Tre: I do. Suzanne Eller: What is it, Tre? Tre: would you like the title? Suzanne Eller: What I want is your idea in a nutshell Tre: Authors are people who write, not people who daydream. Suzanne Eller: Who is your intended market? i.e. the magazine Tre: a new mag for women called Spiritual Essence Suzanne Eller: How does this idea fit their audience? Tre: I am doing an entertainment/art section piece books/authors will be highlighted every quarter Suzanne Eller: Are you pitching a column idea? (Hang with us, rest of the group) Tre: yes, I am and I would like to send a query to other mags as well Suzanne Eller: Before you ever send a query, it's critical that you understand the magazine, its mission, the targeted audience--that's all marketing. So, if you want to send a query intended to catch the editor's eye, and to hopefully write a column, then you need to send something other than a query. When I want to write on a regular basis for a magazine, I send them clips, an introduction letter, and an idea for a column. That is different than a query. Does that make sense? Tre: yes it does...thanks. vikki: Do you need to query if you've already done a piece for the mag? Suzanne Eller: Yes. But they get easier with familiarity, and then they start e-mailing you with assignments and you don't have to query anymore. : ) I tell you what, I'll start us off. Okay? : ) Let's say that we want to write a query about motherhood. Let's say we want to write an article about teen drivers and our experience with that as moms. We first need to narrow our topic. What are some of the issues involved in this topic? Let's brainstorm for a moment. Anne McDonald: The frustrations of teaching your own child to drive *** Suzanne Eller: Amen. What are some of those frustrations? Anne McDonald: The child tends to not hear your instructions Suzanne Eller: anyone else? vikki:fear of a child leaving the nest Suzanne Eller: good. anyone else? Tre:they drive too fast vikki: growing up too fast Suzanne Eller: Now you have to understand I have three teens. This is a topic I can empathize with. : ) *Annie extends her sympathy Suzanne Eller: Let's write a hook about this topic. We've had three great ideas. We can use either stats as a hook. We can use an anecdote. We can use a quote or a quip. Someone give it a shot. Let's start with an anecdote. Anne McDonald: When my daughter ran our car over the trashcan for the fifth time, I knew it was time to rethink my role as driving instructor. Suzanne Eller: Great hook. What did this do? It immediately drew the editor into the story. Let's try a statistic? Anyone? Anne McDonald: Does it have to be real? Suzanne Eller: No. At least not for tonight Anne McDonald:lol vikki: On the average there are 5000 teen drivers on the road and 10000 worried parents. hopef: Teens driving laws very from state to state. However, when I had to teach my teen to drive, she put me into a mental state of my own. Anne McDonald: Three out of five parents would rather have someone else teach their teen to drive. Suzanne Eller: That's cute. Humor and stats. That's good. You guys are catching on. A serious stat might say, MADD reports that 1/2 of fatal accidents involve teen drivers and the use of alcohol. This sets the tone for the article. I immediately let them know it's a serious piece, but what if it is a personal piece. My son was hurt by a drunk driver three years ago. Let's look at my hook...........When the phone rings in the middle of the night, it's never good news. But I didn't expect the news that a drunk driver had smashed into my 15-year old son, breaking 13 bones from the waist down. I never thought about drunk driving until my son lay on the pavement on a dark, rainy night. That's a hook. It's also the truth. A hook should do exactly what it says. Too many writers put their hook 2/3rds down in the query. To be honest, most editors scan the queries and you have about 10 seconds to get their attention. They have something called a slush pile and it is a reality. Any questions so far? One thing I might say is that a hook should never be "hokey". Humor is wonderful, but hokey or corny just makes you look silly. The only exception is if you are writing for a "hokey" magazine. The next part of the query is the slant or angle. You should always
give more than one slant to an article. This is exactly why a query will
net you more sales than a manuscript. Sending a complete manuscript
(non-fiction) is like sending a complete house. What are some of the slants we can brainstorm for this article? We've
The idea is teen driving from a mom's perspective. What are more slants? We have: child driving too fast, child leaving nest, child doesn't listen to mom. Any other slants on this topic? What about insurance rates? What about tickets? What about curfews? What about keeping the car clean and full of gas? I could keep going..........Any ideas on this topic? * Annie is extremely glad her son is nowhere near driving age vikki: Do you suggest this in a sidebar or in the article? Suzanne Eller: Yes and no. Brainstorming does create wonderful ideas for sidebars, but it also gives options to the editor. For example: I wish I could see someone's hook above, but you could open with the hook about driving is legal in several states but it drives you to a different state of mind. It's a humor article from a parent's perspective. Then you might say: Teen driving doesn't only affect the parent's state of mind, it affects the pocket book. Insurance and gas are now issues You can list these as bulleted items or you can phrase it as I did. What you are doing is showing different sides of the core idea. I write to an editor about the issue of walking and health. I mentioned in my query that this article could be presented from various angles, including: (bulleted) how walking with a friend gave me valuable time away from responsibilities 2. It was healthy 3. It gave me five miles of uninterrupted time. By presenting angles, the editor wrote back and said I like your idea, but how about you write a sidebar on the benefits of walking, but slant the article as a friendship piece. It simply gave options. Any questions so far? Anne McDonald:Do you try to use active language in your queries? Suzanne Eller: Absolutely. My query is a presentation of me as a writer. If it is passive, then it's boring. Anne McDonald:Have you ever sent off a query and then wanted to change it? Suzanne Eller: Sure. : ) But I sit on my queries -- not literally But I give them a rest period of a couple of hours to a couple of days If I'm really unsure, I present them to my FCW critique group Tre: Do you ever send the same query to different places? Suzanne Eller: Yes, this is where different slants and brainstorming is valuable. I can send it with different slants to different publications OR I can send it to publishers that accept simultaneous submissions, as long as I let them know it is a simultaneous submission. Anne McDonald:What do you recommend that writers leave OUT of their queries? Suzanne Eller: long wordy phrases, the fact that their writers' group thought the piece was lovely, that they've never written an article before, that they've never been published, anything that makes you look less than a professional. hopef: which Christian Mag's take email queries? Suzanne Eller: You need to have a copy of Sally Stuart's Christian Writers' Market Guide It has all of that information. There's thousands of magazines, and one person can't keep track. : ) The next thing that you need in your query is supporting information. That can be a quote from experts or a statistic. List them briefly. They add weight to your piece. Make sure that you have permission from your expert to quote them before promising the editor anything. The next item is word count and any extras. Does anybody know what extras are? Anne McDonald:Photos, graphics, etc. Suzanne Eller: You're right. They are quizzes, sidebars, photos…They make your piece that much more valuable. If we have a humorous article on teen driving and a parent's mental state, what would be a good sidebar or quiz? One quiz might be: Ten ways to know you're losing your cool. It would be a fun sidebar. Or a serious sidebar might be a list of "10 Ways to Cut Insurance for a New Driver." This gives the editor one more option. Anne McDonald: Twelve reasons parents should find alternative driving schools. Suzanne Eller: Good. This is a fun way to use your brainstorming ideas. Next comes your writing credits. What are my credits for writing this piece? I gave you a hint earlier Anne McDonald: You have three teens... Suzanne Eller: absolutely Anne McDonald:your son got hit by a drunk driver...and your mind hasn't left for the other state, yet. Suzanne Eller: That might not be a article clip, but it is experience. What do you do if you don't have very much writing experience? Do you say that? No! Let your professional query then speak for itself BUT if you do have credits, list them. hopef: What do you do if they write back and specifically ask for your writing credits Suzanne Eller: If they specifically ask, then you tell them. But I've never had that happen. hopef: what if it's sparse? :) I did! Suzanne Eller: This is where a professional query makes a difference. If it is compelling, has a great hook, supporting information, options for the editor and specific information on word count, turnaround time, and title. You've given an editor what they hope for. I've read some pretty awful queries from very professional writers. But I've also seen many beginning, talent writers learn the art of a query and become professionals in a very short time. Let' me give a quick rundown. We are out of time. A query is a one-two page letter with a hook, supporting information, slants or options your credits, and information on when you can provide the article and details such as word count, extras, etc. Any questions? I feel like I've muddled through this and that's not my usual style. : ) If anyone has questions, I'll stay around and try to answer them a little more specifically. Anne McDonald: we have all the time you want, Suzie Suzanne Eller: Let's open the floor then for questions hopef: When they ask you to give them writing credits, how do you list that? In bullet form like a resume? Or ? Suzanne Eller: No, as a paragragh. It might say, T. Suzanne Eller has published over 300 articles in magazines such as Guideposts, Today's Christian Woman, Angels On Earth, and others. Any other questions? Annie, I didn't forget your question. Building a query on the points I listed, especially starting with a hook helps a query be interesting and concise. It gives all the info needed, but no extra baggage. Tre: any books for guidance? Suzanne Eller: John Wood's How to Write an Effective Query Letter. Top notch book Anne McDonald: Suzie, thank you so much for coming and sharing your expertise with us. You done good. Suzanne Eller: Thanks for letting me come. Dancing Word Chats Is A Production Of Dancing Word Writers Network
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Suzanne Eller
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