I've wondered about this a lot... my query has been pretty boilerplate, but the memoir itself is kind of funny and has a very distinct southern voice. So I recently made the query funny. I have wondered if it would be off-putting to most agents who want "a professional business document" (as I've heard the query called). But I think it's probably high-risk/high-reward... as in the one or two agents who get it might *really* get it.
Generally I think a good rule of thumb is to let the voice of the book shine through while also remaining professional. Often this can be done through parenthetical. For example, "My protagonist Roxy is down on her luck (funny example of this 1, funny example of this 2), but she has her sights set on a new beginning." Your letter shouldn't be so voicey or funny that you don't come across as a professional who can meet tough deadlines, nor do you want to insinuate that you're someone who is going to be sending lots of whacky emails. I doubt that you are doing that, just writing this here for other people ;)
Yes this is really helpful. I kept the bio and intro portions of the query professional. And really I don't know that I'll ever have the courage to send out the funny one!
Maybe email it to me and perhaps I could build a post about whether or not to get "voicey" and/or how much personality to put into a query? If you're comfortable with that.
Courtney - thank you so much for all you do to help aspiring authors! This is by far my favorite Substack. Obviously, you are busy and can only take on so much. Are you doing any coaching? If so, what are your rates for which services? I’m not at the Query Doula stage but could benefit from your wisdom. There’s so much good stuff here in your Substack but I’m not always capable of following through so well on the guidance in my actual writing!
I'm excited to renew my subscription to Before and After the Book Deal. Thank you for using your extra energy to help others learn about this ambiguous field (if you're on the outside). You always shoot us straight and give us useful tactics to move forward. We appreciate you!
I really liked the responses to the “why should I turn the pages” question. I hope that my query answers that, but are you suggesting that the first two or three pages do it as well?
Thank you so for this series. So valuable and practical and encouraging. When you polled a few weeks ago I accidentally hit the wrong button and I’ve thought about that error at least once a day. So please subtract one vote from your results!
I’m now down a rabbit hole about epigraphs, using one to replace a prologue is maybe the best idea I’ve ever heard, but how are they received in your opening pages? Are they rare or common? Do agents find them at all polarizing? Can you use anything as long as it is cited*? (*Not the right word I’m sure)
People definitely query with epigraphs-- I've absolutely seen that done. Thanks for your kind words! (And to answer your question-- you can query with any kind of epigraph as long as it's cited. If the book actually gets published, big picture, song lyrics are hard to clear if you're using song lyrics in an epigraph. But quotes from literature are usually fine!
Hi Courtney! Quick peripheral question related to sharing work with 'VIP's'. What are your thoughts on meetings with an agent/editor that you pay for (for example via a conference)? Thanks
Oof! It's complicated, and that is a great question. Big picture, I think generally you are going to receive subjective advice from the agent because they'll usually be speaking about their clients, their lists, the editors they usually work with, what they are looking for in a book. Which is fine- it's natural that they would give subjective advice. What's important is that you have a deep enough vision for your work that you can listen to their feedback but only implement changes (based off of their advice) that you truly feel is right. I've seen far too many people overwrite their entire MS just because an agent they paid said it should be from another character's perspective or in a different genre or whatever. So, proceed with caution, basically! Some of the advice in this article holds up for paying agents/editors, too: https://courtneymaum.substack.com/p/thinking-of-hiring-a-developmental
And also, "The Shit No One Tells You About Writing" podcast is an incredible resource with two or more agents on the podcast every time giving great advice.
I've wondered about this a lot... my query has been pretty boilerplate, but the memoir itself is kind of funny and has a very distinct southern voice. So I recently made the query funny. I have wondered if it would be off-putting to most agents who want "a professional business document" (as I've heard the query called). But I think it's probably high-risk/high-reward... as in the one or two agents who get it might *really* get it.
Generally I think a good rule of thumb is to let the voice of the book shine through while also remaining professional. Often this can be done through parenthetical. For example, "My protagonist Roxy is down on her luck (funny example of this 1, funny example of this 2), but she has her sights set on a new beginning." Your letter shouldn't be so voicey or funny that you don't come across as a professional who can meet tough deadlines, nor do you want to insinuate that you're someone who is going to be sending lots of whacky emails. I doubt that you are doing that, just writing this here for other people ;)
Yes this is really helpful. I kept the bio and intro portions of the query professional. And really I don't know that I'll ever have the courage to send out the funny one!
Maybe email it to me and perhaps I could build a post about whether or not to get "voicey" and/or how much personality to put into a query? If you're comfortable with that.
Wow, did I need this tough-love guidance on prologues...and that question from your agent, Courtney. Thank you!
Courtney - thank you so much for all you do to help aspiring authors! This is by far my favorite Substack. Obviously, you are busy and can only take on so much. Are you doing any coaching? If so, what are your rates for which services? I’m not at the Query Doula stage but could benefit from your wisdom. There’s so much good stuff here in your Substack but I’m not always capable of following through so well on the guidance in my actual writing!
Thank you! the services I offer are here: https://www.courtneymaum.com/querydoula
Well I should have checked that first! Thanks.
I'm excited to renew my subscription to Before and After the Book Deal. Thank you for using your extra energy to help others learn about this ambiguous field (if you're on the outside). You always shoot us straight and give us useful tactics to move forward. We appreciate you!
Aww, thanks beautiful Bree!
Congrats on turning in your new novel!! So exciting! Can’t wait to read it!
I really liked the responses to the “why should I turn the pages” question. I hope that my query answers that, but are you suggesting that the first two or three pages do it as well?
The first 2 or 3 pages should give a hint, an indication, a nod toward, what the rest of the book will be answering or grappling with.
Thank you. I think I’m accomplishing that.
Thank you so for this series. So valuable and practical and encouraging. When you polled a few weeks ago I accidentally hit the wrong button and I’ve thought about that error at least once a day. So please subtract one vote from your results!
I’m now down a rabbit hole about epigraphs, using one to replace a prologue is maybe the best idea I’ve ever heard, but how are they received in your opening pages? Are they rare or common? Do agents find them at all polarizing? Can you use anything as long as it is cited*? (*Not the right word I’m sure)
Thank you again for your wisdom
People definitely query with epigraphs-- I've absolutely seen that done. Thanks for your kind words! (And to answer your question-- you can query with any kind of epigraph as long as it's cited. If the book actually gets published, big picture, song lyrics are hard to clear if you're using song lyrics in an epigraph. But quotes from literature are usually fine!
Hi Courtney! Quick peripheral question related to sharing work with 'VIP's'. What are your thoughts on meetings with an agent/editor that you pay for (for example via a conference)? Thanks
Oof! It's complicated, and that is a great question. Big picture, I think generally you are going to receive subjective advice from the agent because they'll usually be speaking about their clients, their lists, the editors they usually work with, what they are looking for in a book. Which is fine- it's natural that they would give subjective advice. What's important is that you have a deep enough vision for your work that you can listen to their feedback but only implement changes (based off of their advice) that you truly feel is right. I've seen far too many people overwrite their entire MS just because an agent they paid said it should be from another character's perspective or in a different genre or whatever. So, proceed with caution, basically! Some of the advice in this article holds up for paying agents/editors, too: https://courtneymaum.substack.com/p/thinking-of-hiring-a-developmental
And also, "The Shit No One Tells You About Writing" podcast is an incredible resource with two or more agents on the podcast every time giving great advice.
Thank you!