With so many blogs of authors and aspiring authors out there, a blog about querying is kind of a natural topic of interest. Since many of us end up having so submit queries for our work, we want to know how to do it right. It's helpful to get feedback on our proposed queries and to see what others have done with their queries. How-to blogs can be a great help to us all and sometimes much easier to digest than a book on the subject.
If you want to give your proposed query a test run then we can get useful tips from those who have already queried successfully or who have a keen eye for editing blunders and succinct ways of saying things. On the other hand if you are one of those with the experience and who do well helping others better state what they want to say, then starting a query blog might be a good way to establish your credibility with the author bloggers.
Querying can be a daunting process, but fortunately there are bloggers out there who can provide the help writers need to dive into the action and start querying while hopefully bypassing the common mistakes of the novice as well as get assistance with querying and words of encouragement to embolden them to press forward.
What are some blog topics or important blog elements that start with "Q"? Have you ever been helped by a query blog? How is your sense for good editing?
Some query blogs:
the Quintessentially Questionable Query Experiment
Query Tracker
I write to fast and horrible at going back to check so my editing is lacking. At this point I think I will never be a writer for sharing, but personal escape.. I know there are many blog outlets that are very useful, I just have not taken advantage of them.
ReplyDeleteYou've got other talents that you can use and share.
DeleteLee
We have several query blogs and sites listed at the IWSG, but Matthew's is certainly the first one that comes to mind.
ReplyDeleteI've seen a number of them but I didn't do enough research for a good list.
DeleteLee
You have query bloggers also Lee.....Me. if anything is going to go wrong then it happens when there is no-one to help me.
ReplyDeleteGood topic.
Yvonne.
"Q" can be somewhat limiting and with so many writer bloggers "Query" is a natural topic for many.
DeleteYeah, I feel on my own a lot too.
Lee
I knew we'd double up somewhere Mr. Man! I did Query today too - as a tool in the revision process doing your query can help focus your thoughts. Thanks for the links...
ReplyDeleteI should play with writing queries just for the fun of it--or maybe "fun" isn't the best word here.
DeleteLee
When I was looking into querying, I found lots of useful blogs. I still find them useful because the description on the back of my books needs to grab attention and that's the point of a query letter.
ReplyDeleteThe query blogs do provide good information as well as often being entertaining to read.
DeleteLee
Those queries are tough to wrestle into shape. Any help is wonderful to have.
ReplyDeleteI know I'll need help if I ever write one.
DeleteLee
The query... one of the most feared aspects of the entire writing process.
ReplyDeleteI hear the fear, but I don't actually know the experience.
DeleteLee
I've never given serious thought to queries, but as I'm starting to get more dedicated to my writing, I think I need to look into this more and more.
ReplyDeleteI haven't thought of querying much either. Good luck as you explore further.
DeleteLee
Query writing is a challenge. I don't feel it gets easier though my romance publisher will look at everything I send her.
ReplyDeleteYou are in a fortunate position then,
DeleteLee
Thanks for the shoutout, Lee! I still do free query critiques if anyone ever needs them.
ReplyDeleteGreat! I'll keep that one on tap if I need it.
DeleteLee
One of the joys of self-publishing is that I no longer have to query! Been there, done that. Had success, but I live a new writer's life now!
ReplyDeletePrecious Monsters
I think I prefer that situation, though being traditionally published by a big house would be nice too.
DeleteLee
I love the Query Shark blog, though she doesn't update as often as she used to. She frequently updates posts if the writer resubmits and revises, sometimes as many as four times, until it's finally declared a win. A lot of her queries have been quite funny. She once even had a query for the Bible, which she just presented as-was instead of providing her usual snarky commentary.
ReplyDeleteHumor injected helps a lot for a potentially dry topic such as querying.
DeleteLee
Just say no to querying.
ReplyDeleteSo far that's what I've been doing, but then I've also been saying no to writing for the most part--not good, not good.
DeleteLee
I self publish so don't have to query, which is a good thing. I would definitely seek out a query help blog if I did. I think "how to" and "help" blogs are great!
ReplyDeleteOf course it would nice to be published by a big publishing house but that isn't going to happen and I think you'd make more money self publishing anyway and have more control over your work.
Querying takes up a lot of good writing time.
Sunni
http://sunni-survivinglife.blogspot.com/
I wouldn't want to query, but I guess we do what we feel that we must.
DeleteLee
I'm not much at editing but I can spot typos, grammatical mistakes or incorrect phrasing and words. I have done it for one or two writers now.
ReplyDeleteI tend to overlook a lot unless it's really blatant.
DeleteLee
I have a hard time to edit as I am a talker:) I think it helps writers when they find these blogs. Now I think of Q for Quotes as I love some wonderful quotes that are inspirational
ReplyDeleteI've seen a few quote blogs and blogs that do quote posts.
DeleteLee
What I like about your posts including this one is the fact these make you think and Question and Query.
ReplyDeleteOne could have an entire blog theme based on questions.
DeleteLee
Good topic and great to have resources out there to help us. Querying can be the most important task and one that is often daunting. The kind of task that gives you a pit in your stomach and sweaty palms at the keyboard!
ReplyDeleteMichele at Angels Bark
That's what I've heard, but don't really know about.
DeleteLee
I'm strictly indie, so I don't query, but practicing query letters can be helpful for making sure my stories are focused...when doing queries or synopses, sometimes problems pop up! When I do this as an exercise, I like to look at recent blogs for help and ideas.
ReplyDeleteI haven't written query letters in decades, way before the internet, but if I decided to get back into that, then any good tips would certainly be appreciated. I'm constantly self-editing and my skills in that area are good, but it doesn't hurt to have someone else's eyes check things over. Can't think of any Q topics - "Questions about ---" (fill in the blank) Nine more posts and I still have to write them. Yikes!
ReplyDelete