Query Letters Are Out

It took a lot more work than I imagined to make sure the query letter and first chapter were as perfect as possible.  More on this later, but now we wait.  The bait is cast!

Query Letters out by Dec 4th - NOT

Always a good idea to review what you're sending out just before you hit the big GO BUTTON.  Good thing I did.  Found a possible fatal flaw in my first chapter.  Doing revisions.

Query Letters out by Dec. 4th.

 Most agents I'm looking at want ten pages or the first chapter to accompany the query letter.  I should have the first chapter Beta edits completed by Dec. 3rd and my query letters out the next day.  The rest of the updates will be completed by Dec. 10th.  It's been a month since I submitted to Query Shark and haven't heard anything yet -- might not, but another month will tell.  Stay tuned!

Still making final changes . . . but

The members of our writers group did a Beta read for me and have returned their critiques.  They did a great job and I'm looking forward to doing the same for them when they are ready.   Thank you Tuesday Night Writers Group.

Query Shark Received my Submission

I knew my last submission to Query Shark on 10/25 met her requirements and was surprised that I had not received a response from her after her blog said she had responded to all submission as of 11/04.   That's when I thought to check my spam file.  Sure enough, it was there.  So now we wait and see what, if anything, comes next.

Ready to Deliver Beta Copies

Tomorrow night (Nov 9) will be the first deliveries of the Beta version of Dragoolend.  I still find things to fix, adjust or change every time I go through it but it is very readable and I need the help of others to spot things my eyes don't see.  I'm sure that while the Beta version is being read, I will continue my edits.  Hopefully,  I can call it done in two weeks (Nov 22).

Welcome Tuesday Night Writers

A warm welcome to theTuesday night writers group.  What a wonderful group of writers we have.   Always a special thanks for the leadership that Ami Hendrickson gives us. (see museinks to the right)

Query Shark has now responded to all submissions as of 10-12-10

She is running about three weeks behind so I won't get a notice of her receiving my submission for at least two more weeks, maybe three.  If the query letter is good enough to be posted, that could be three to five months away.

My To Do List for Dragoolend

1. Finish my last round of edits by Nov. 2nd.
2. Get copies to my Beta Readers by Nov. 9th.  Hope to have Beta reviews by Nov. 16th.
3. Research agents and have my best five by Nov. 16th.
4. Send out query letters by Nov. 20th.
5. Review and finish the last edit by Nov. 30th.
6. Start an outline of the 2nd book in the Dragoolend series.

17 Days Since QS Updated Submissions

My 2nd query letter submission to Query Shark was on the 25th.   Her next list of responses might be before my submission.  I think she updates her submissions about every three weeks, give or take a week.

Get a Professional Mentor - I Did

10-27-10  And it was worth it.  (Muselinks - Award Winning Author) She improved my writing in several areas.  A writers group of aspiring authors is nice.  They will help encourage you but the best is a published mentor who knows what it takes to be successful.  It could save you years of guessing.

Found why query letter went to Mars

10-25-10  Seems Mama Shark is really touchy about the greeting.  She prefers "Dear Query Shark" instead of "Dear Ms. Reid".  It pays to notice everything.  Also found out that you have to ask to have your letter posted.  Don't ask . . . She won't tell.

Mama Shark seems to be back

10-25-10   She has responded to all submissions as of 10-7-10.  Since I sent mine on the 5th and I haven't received an acknowledgment, it must have gone to Mars.  I am resending it today.

Mama Shark is Feeding Elsewhere

10-22-10   No updates to her home page for almost a month. Want her feedback before sending out query letters. 

Waiting to hear from Query Shark

10-21-10   I sent my DRAGOOLEND query letter to Q.S. a couple of weeks ago to get a read on the good and bad of it.  Hope to hear something soon.  Keep checking here to see what I learn.