Friday, April 19, 2013

[Linkage] Q is for Queries

Note: My A-Z theme is linkage. Every day (at 7:00 a.m. EST), I'm going to list three helpful industry links per letter, and then I'll ask for suggestions in the comments—that way, we can pool our resources! :)

Q is for Queries:

Have you ever written a query letter? Which resources did you use?

P.S. Did you miss Super Chat last night? Here's the recording!

26 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

It's been so long, I don't even remember now.

Melissa said...

More great links!
Super-chat last night was fun. :)

Nancy Thompson said...

The dreaded query! I wrote dozens. I love QueryShark, though she doesn't post as often anymore. I used AgentQuery extensively when I was queuing. Great site!

ilima said...

Elana Johnson's "From the Query to the Call" was sooo helpful. And it's free!

cleemckenzie said...

Great links again. I've used Query Tracker, but not the others.

Michael Di Gesu said...

A new one....

I'm not familiar with Agent query...

Thanks Carrie.

Carrie-Anne said...

I used to use the Pitch University boards, back before the woman who ran the site stopped working on the site due to health issues. I've also done query workshops and contests on various writing blogs and message boards, like WriteOn Con and Unicorn Bell. I agree with those who say that there can be too many eyes on a query. If you've had it critiqued by a number of different people and changed it to a point where most people now like it, and then suddenly a new pair of eyes or two wants to change a lot, it might be time to just start querying already. You can never make everyone perfectly happy.

Carrie Butler said...

YES! I forgot about that. Thank you for bringing it up, Ilima! :)

Carrie Butler said...

What we all wouldn't give to forget the query experience... ;)

Carrie Butler said...

Thanks, Melissa! It was pretty fun, wasn't it? :) If only I didn't talk 80 mph...

Carrie Butler said...

I love QueryShark, too. I've read through her archives more times than I care to admit. ;)

Sheena-kay Graham said...

Queries are important. Nice of you to share sites that help.

Carrie Butler said...

No problem, Lee! :)

Gwen Gardner said...

This is an awesome theme, Carrie. I queried for a contest and made the finals, but no request. So now I'm self publishing.

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

yay, finally I know all three sites! I would pay someone to write my query for me. That's how much I love doing 'em!

Carrie Butler said...

I used it. It's pretty helpful. :) No problem!

Carrie Butler said...

Absolutely. Query critiques are just like anything else. Look for repeat feedback, and take everything else with a grain of salt. :)

Carrie Butler said...

You bet! :) No problem, Sheena-kay!

Carrie Butler said...

Thanks, Gwen! I hope it's helping people. I tried ti include something for everyone. :)

And it seems like that was a great choice for you!

Carrie Butler said...

Woohoo! :) Oh, same here. Queries are the devil! LOL

Anonymous said...

These are great resources! Query letters are tough, but it helps to rough one out before writing the first draft, then adjust as necessary.

Nigel G Mitchell said...

Ugh, I hate queries. These look like nice links, though

JeffO said...

There's also workshopping your query on Absolute Write's Query Letter Hell section. It's good to spend time critting other people's queries, as it gives you a good idea of pitfalls to avoid in your own.

Carrie Butler said...

Thanks, Connie! They sure are. Great tip! :)

Carrie Butler said...

Thanks, Nigel! :)

Carrie Butler said...

Another good point! Thanks for bringing it up, Jeff. :D