My First Successful Query

I am not a published author, so take my advice with some skepticism. This is only how things worked for me, but I know what it's like out there when all you want is for someone to acknowledge the time and effort you put into something. It's tough out there.

Ahh. You never forget your first. Your first love, your first book that made you want to become a writer, your first fuc-- ahem . . .okay we won't go there, but you get my drift. Anyway, I just wanted to take a couple minutes of your time and post my revised query letter that actually got me my first request to see my manuscript PUDGEY. Maybe nothing will come out of it. Maybe the agent will hate my manuscript. Maybe it will take 20 requests before I find someone. (I hope not) But it is a start.

You can probably garner by now that The Pudgey Writer and PUDGEY the manuscript go together like PB&J. Get it? Hahaha, see Pudgey is the character in my manuscript, so I titled this blog the Pudgey Writer because of the Pudgey connection and-- What do mean just stop it right now? Okay, where was I?

There is a website called www.litreactor.com where writers can get help from trained professionals such as authors, agents, grammar specialists. I encourage everyone who is serious about writing to check it out. The classes can be pricey, and most books on writing are pure bullshit, but I promise the classes on Lit Reactor are not.

I took a class titled "The Art of the Query Letter" with Bree Ogden, who, by the way, is pure awesomeness. She is way cooler than me. To say she went above and beyond taking her time to answer everyone's questions and polish each query letter would be an understatement. I don't know where she finds the time to do what she does. I had such a positive experience with Lit Reactor, that I already signed up for another class with Kat Howard for a Science Fiction/Fantasy course on March 14. Even if you think you know how to write, I believe it is still essential to get out there and network with other writers and attempt to market your stuff. Did I mention I have an MBA? I guess it means I'm supposed to be wicked knowledgeable in Marketing and Business stuff. PSSSTT . . . I'm really not.

Well, enough of my babble. Hope this helps some writer out there going through the same stuff that I am. BTW - I added in some points of note to the actual query. If you have any questions, please fell free to drop me an email.

THE QUERY LETTER

Dear Ms. XXXXX, (Be professional here and spell their name correctly)

After reading your bio and learning that you're a fan of literary horror and enjoy dark, edgy stories with emotional conflict, I think you will enjoy my manuscript, PUDGEY, as it takes a look into the dark side of power and revenge. (The first paragraph personalizes your query to the specific agent. Don't get too creepy here, like I love the furniture in your living room. Get it? And don't kiss their ass because they hate that too.)

Twelve-year-old Pudgey Woodwick is bullied and overweight. To make matters worse, he is thrust into suburbia after his parents’ divorce. After a tragic accident, Pudgey’s over-protective brother, Jack, develops a Hyde-like alter ego filled with rage—the sort that can kill without a second thought, especially the ones who leave him no other choice. But he is not a murderer, more of a reluctant killer. (This is your hook that grabs the agents attention, you literately have about 30 seconds of their time. I spent about 40 hours worth of work on this page for 30 seconds of someones time. That's like training for a downhill ski race that lasts only 26 seconds.)

As Pudgey discovers Jack’s hideous ability, things turn darker. Children are being murdered in Pudgey's town of Northgate, and Jack is a suspect. Although Pudgey is prepared to do anything to keep the threadbare strands of his family intact—even if it means helping his big brother cover up a murder or two. (This is your plot to kind of sum up what it's all about. What is the conflict? What is the MC's goal?)

In a true test of brotherly love, Pudgey will try to save Jack from his dark half while keeping their secret intact. But as Jack struggles to quell his inner demons, he may need to release them one last time when karma rears its ugly head. His naïve and lonely brother has just become friends with a peculiar individual responsible for the recent events—the Northgate Killer. (This is where you send it home, lay down some intrigue, and drop the mic)

At 82,000 words complete, PUDGEY is a dark psychological thriller written in the retrospective first person voice and will appeal to readers who enjoyed John Lindqvist's Let Me In and Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. In this tragic tale of good versus evil, all is not as it seems on the surface when innocence is stolen and lives collide . . . because the scariest monsters are the ones inside all of us. (Make sure you put in the word count, maybe some comps of other books. DO NOT compare yourself to other authors or say you are the next Stephen King! You will look like a douchebag. Trust me on this.)

Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,

Sean Hunter
sean.m.hunter@gmail.com
(508) XXX-XXXX
seanmhunter.blogspot.com
Follow me on twitter @seanmhunter (put your blog info and contact info in the letter ending)