Some cardinal stratagems of publishing your novels,books and the like in the process.
Though some writers do submit a query before their novel is complete, I would not recommend this as an unpublished writer. I will post steps and then try to give my experiences and the processes and pitfalls I faced along the way.
First step Novel should be complete and polished. In other words, check grammar, sentence structures, POV, etc..Basically it needs to be "ready to go". Because it is hard as a writer to edit your own work, I highly recommend you have someone review it for you. Some of the silliest mistakes we never see simply because we are too close to our own work.
Second step Prepare a summary. Trust me, I loathe this part, but you will need it. A summary should be an outline of your book from beginning to end devoid of extraneous details. Basically, what the agent is going to want to see is the story from beginning to end with no surprises in as short and concise a manner as possible.
Third Step Prepare a short summary that looks like the back jacket descriptor on a book. Not all writers do this but I have had a lot of success with this in my query letters. In General a query letter should be short, sweet and to the point, generating enough interest from the agent that he ultimately requests that you send him more.
Fourth Step Prepare a short bio of your writing credentials. If you have none, then so be it. If this is the case, then simply mention your personal details and include a small snippet of what qualifies you to write the story you wrote. For example, though I am not published, the story I wrote was based on my experiences in Panama during Operation Just Cause. Basically, it let the agent know that I knew what I was writing about.
Fifth Step Prepare a short query. This is the sum of your writing career, the one page that will sell you or shame you. it will get your foot in the door or slam it in your face. My queries are always simple and include the following:
An introduction: Dear Agent, I am submitting this query for my novel 'Panama Rain' for your review blah blah blah..dont make this part long..introduce yourself and tell him what you are sending him..
A summary This should look like the back of a novel. The little blurb you read that makes you decide whether or not you want to read a particular story. Mine looks like this:
"Registered Nurse Emily Richardson, newly divorced and depressed, eagerly accepts an invitation from an old friend to work at Gorgas Army Hospital in Panama City, Panama. Leaping at the opportunity for change, she leaves behind her job and her old life in Seattle. "
Biography Here is where you list your qualifications and personal info. Again dont go into too much detail..see my section above on writing your bio.
NOTE: Not every writer does their queries the same way,literally. This way works for me. I constantly get replies hankering for me to see more of my work. My query works, my problem is that my work needs labouring...
