My SUCCESSFUL Query Letter (example + tips)

Рет қаралды 11,315

Күн бұрын

How I Got My Literary Agent (on the first query letter?): • How I Got My Literary ...
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - intro
2:39 - paragraph #1: hook
4:35 - paragraph #2: plot/conflict/stakes
6:48 - paragraph #3: theme
7:39 - paragraph #4: comps
11:22 - paragraph #5: bio
13:39 - final thoughts
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☾How to Slaughter - The Common: www.thecommononline.org/how-t...
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FAQS
→How old are you? - 25
→How long have you been writing? - Since I was 8
→Where do you live? - I keep that private for safety reasons, but I grew up in Vancouver.
→Where did you go to university and what did you study? - I keep my university information private, but I majored in writing with a concentration in fiction.
→What are your pronouns? - They/them or she/her
→Where can I read your books? - None of my books are published yet, but you can read my published short fiction in my linktree (linked above!)
→So when will your book be published? - I don’t know! I’m in the revision process right now, but I can’t predict exactly when I’ll have a book published. But I’m working on it!
→Do you plan to traditionally publish or self publish? - Traditionally publish
→Will you read my book/story/chapter/mentor me? - Unfortunately I cannot accommodate these requests because editing/critiquing is a labour intensive task that I can’t afford to do for free alongside my job, my own writing, and running this platform. If you would like to hire me for paid editing work, contact me privately on twitter or instagram.
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Пікірлер: 62

@reydodonpa Жыл бұрын

shaelin: i can't wait to tell people how i wrote my query letter God to his angels: she must be stopped at all costs

@roanfarnum Жыл бұрын

I know luck always has some say in this, but wow dude, now I can see how you got an agent so fast - that was an amazing query letter! I like how you thought about the pitch as a mini-version of your book, that's really smart. This video will be very useful to me in the future!

@vitotamito Жыл бұрын

Why would anyone get upset about people getting a book picked up from someone who puts a ton of time and effort into making videos that help other people write? It’s not like a KZfaq channel isn’t hard work and dedication, and storytelling in its own right. This is self-published non-fiction writing. Be proud of this channel as a work of literature in and of itself. Great query letter!

@seahorse7fly Жыл бұрын

Congratulations on getting a literary agent! Thank you so much for sharing your thought process and your query letter -- it's SO good.

@ShaelinWrites Жыл бұрын

thank you!!

@billyalarie929 Жыл бұрын

This query letter, and ESPECIALLY you going into WHY it was written the way you wrote it, is so important and very, very useful. Thank you for this gift.

@one_smol_duck Жыл бұрын

Anyone who says you only got a deal because of your KZfaq channel is jealous. Your writing is outstanding. I bet these are the same people who belittle other authors in their query letters then balk when they get rejected by agents who actually respect the genre they're working in.

@VideoGameRoom32 Жыл бұрын

First. I am bad at writing query letters. I find it easier writing a book. Thanks for sharing this

@BigPhilly15 Жыл бұрын

The herbalism angle is really original an interesting. I forget who said it, but readers of fiction love the bonus of learning something factual in a novel. Congratulations.

@elly9311 Жыл бұрын

I paused the video to read the query letter. It's really good. My first thought was "why are they estranged?" And then "how did she save the life of her sister?" It immediately sparked interest.

@The_sassafrass Жыл бұрын

I didn’t even know that comparisons to other books were recommended. Thanks so much for the tips!

@margauxb3591 Жыл бұрын

Sending you the best thought for the rest of the publishing journey because god i really want to read Honey Vinegar

@AdamFishkin Жыл бұрын

The jealous people who platform-shame you can go sit on a machete. My patience for their shit is non-existent. All in all you've got an impressive preparedness in how you put your query letter together. The advantages that you *DO* have make sense.

@kevinstricklen7579 Жыл бұрын

Can you follow up this video with an interview with your agent to get their perspective on what stood out about your letter. I love your perspective but would also like theirs.

@wrigleyextra11 Жыл бұрын

Sitting on two manuscripts that are ripening 🥑🍑 - needed this. Thanks so much. Probably the most timely vlog of yours for me - a sign even. 2023 is the year of querying ⚡wish me luck!

@ShaelinWrites Жыл бұрын

Ohhh good luck querying!!!

@wordfullyyours Жыл бұрын

This is really helpful. I've been querying for a while and have not seen any success.

@MrK.A 11 ай бұрын

Fantastic video. Thanks. I was wondering if i should start with an intro paragraph or going straight into the hook. This video cleared things up for me. I'll be going straight into my hook.

@maya-gur695 Жыл бұрын

I'm so incredibly happy for you and excited to see the rest of your publishing journey!

@clint_oreilly Жыл бұрын

It proves you're a good writer :) So... Keep writing,. Happy for you, and thanks for sharing.

@rizzypizzy Жыл бұрын

Great Query! Congrats, again! I read History of Wolves, having heard of it from your videos, and I loved it, so I am trés looking forward to Honey Vinegar!

@MerweenTheWitch Жыл бұрын

That is such a precious peak into your process. Thank you for sharing!

@GELzenDragon 10 ай бұрын

I've had this video book marked for months now. You helped push me to finish my own novel and with a little play pause action, I started to re-craft my query letter. This was such an awesome video and truly a great help! Thank you for all your insight and tips.

@iBluefoot 7 ай бұрын

Congratulations! I’ve been appreciating your insights for some years and often refer to your videos to new writers. It’s great to see you making ground in publishing.

@theauthorgirl-podcast Жыл бұрын

I don't want to traditionally publish but dang, I still want to write a query letter now 😂 It seems like a good practice.

@ulla7378 Жыл бұрын

I feel it can be useful. Perhaps even during drafting. I tried and it was eye opening (during draft phase) to have the "if I have couple hundred words, what I want to say about my story" vs "what is the reality of my story in its current form". Gave me several good pointers for future edits on what I want to bring to the front and what I can afford to lose.

@theauthorgirl-podcast Жыл бұрын

@@ulla7378 this is amazing. Definitely trying this out then

@ShaelinWrites Жыл бұрын

Agreed, it's a really useful exercise!! Writing pitches (i find) is really helpful for identifying elements of your story that are unclear or missing because you can't articulate them in a condensed form

@tumeloramontsho4955 Жыл бұрын

Truly Grateful for this video

@kevinmathews4050 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the insight. Recently decided to try and query my 3rd book and will be writing a query letter soon. This was a great example I hadn't thought of before. Good luck!

@wordcharm2649 Жыл бұрын

YAASSS! Haven't even watched and already excited.

@janicemacintosh5804 11 күн бұрын

Very helpful. Thank you

@inazumabf Жыл бұрын

the way you explained the different parts of the query made it make more sense for me. i've watched alot of videos on how to write the letter but came out still confused, but yours made it so clear for me. thank you

@pinkcardigan3329 6 ай бұрын

Love how this video is organized!! Super helpful and it cleared up how I want to reorganize my query letter. Immediate subscriber right here

@donkyoofficial Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing!!!!

@76kilosofshade81 Жыл бұрын

I just love your stuff. That's all. 😃

@lakeshagadson357 Жыл бұрын

I wish I could write more letters and do more words and spelling and English but I am doing editing which is not easy

@SteveJubs Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this! Question-Do agents have bots that scroll through their inboxes for hashtags?

@ShaelinWrites Жыл бұрын

Honestly I have no idea!

@resellerworldnj 8 ай бұрын

Hi Shaelin. Good video. Was wondering if a book that takes place in the 1950s would be considered “historical?” Mine also takes place in the 1950s. 1959 to be exact. It’s a coming of age novel that I worked very hard on with writing and editing. At first I had what was basically a mini prologue in contemporary time that flashed back to 1959. Finally I cut it because it just slowed everything down. I like to tailor my queries to the specific agents so they know I’ve researched them. I put my pitch up front in the query, but I’m not sure if any personal info on the agent should be left to the last paragraph. If you happen to read this and have any thoughts or advice, I would be extremely appreciative. All the best to you

@ShaelinWrites 8 ай бұрын

books set in the 1950s are often considered historical! it depends on how much of a focus there is on the historical setting (whether it's a big focus or merely a backdrop) that could determine if the 'historical' label is the primary genre, or merely a subgenre. In my book, it's more a subgenre.

@resellerworldnj 8 ай бұрын

@@ShaelinWrites Thanks so much for the reply. I think in my case too it is more of a backdrop. I just liked the setting of the 1950s and thought the characters behavior fit better into that time period. Plus I felt the 50s were a simpler time. So I guess mine is sub genre too.

@iisazelx9340 Жыл бұрын

I think you might’ve mentioned it before, but are you submitting to US or Canada-based publishers?

@ShaelinWrites Жыл бұрын

I'm not really talking/sharing much about my submission experience while on sub, but I am submitting to both!!

@iisazelx9340 Жыл бұрын

@@ShaelinWrites fwiw it Honey Vinegar sounds like it could be a Catapult book (publisher of Godshot) and it sounds kinda similar vibe wise to Brutes by Dizz Tate. Best of luck!!

@cloudyyy_0.0 Жыл бұрын

I'm extremely interesting in this books when will it be ready for publication?

@ShaelinWrites Жыл бұрын

Hahah no idea, the book is currently on submission so I can't really predict the timeline!

@cloudyyy_0.0 Жыл бұрын

@@ShaelinWriteseverything will go well for you 111

@jackhaggerty1066 Жыл бұрын

The best news to have beside a wintry fire when the rain and wind are thrashing outdoors. *For last year's words belong to last year's language* *And next year's words await another voice.* *And to make an end is to make a beginning.* T.S. Eliot, Little Gidding

@jacquecortez5014 Жыл бұрын

The things they never teach you in school. The Query Letter.

@greenchenille Жыл бұрын

Kweery... Not kwiry 🥰

@ShaelinWrites Жыл бұрын

hehe my canadian accent is showing

@amy-suewisniewski6451 Жыл бұрын

This might be a controversial take, but even if someone got a publishing deal because of their subscriber count... that doesn't make it unearned? Now I KNOW your channel is NOT what got you an agent and it won't be the reason you get a book deal one day. Publishers have already tried publishing big Authortubers with little success. But let's say someone does. They put in the work in a writing channel, it takes off, they get a publishing deal... I mean they worked for it. It's not like editing videos and maintaining a channel isn't LOTS of work. People acting like it's unfair, well, nothing is stopping them from making a successful KZfaq channel and getting the so-called free publishing deal that apparently comes with it. They also still had to write a book. (Now I know there is still lots of racism and abelism on KZfaq, I don't mean to speak down to people who are facing huge hurdles trying to establish themselves. I just mean that the same attitude that makes certain creators blow up over others also exists in why certain books get published over others. It's not the world we want, but berating a content creator for their book deal I don't think addresses the real problems with the industry people are actually mad at.)

@cloudyyy_0.0 Жыл бұрын

Why would you even say that ? Shaelins writing got her this deal this comment was so unnecessary

@amy-suewisniewski6451 Жыл бұрын

@@cloudyyy_0.0 Yes, I 100% agree! As stated, I know publishers don't look at KZfaq channels like this when they consider publishing. I do not think Shaelin got an agent because of this channel at all, and I fully believe she will get a book deal one day and that it still won't be because of this channel but because of her writing. I'm sorry I didn't make that more clear. I'll try and explain my points better but I'm going to end up rambling so I understand if people don't want to read. I know my take is controversial. My point was only that if it WAS the reason someone somewhere got a book deal that I still don't think that warrants negative back lash at that person or for people to hate on them. I just don't understand why people get so upset and accusatory specifically at writing themed content creators when they get an agent or sell a book. It genuinely baffles me that someone who makes good content on writing, who worked hard enough to finish a book and edit it, then query it, then land and agent, then go on submission, then get a book deal are somehow less worthy or undeserving just because they have a successful channel??? A channel where they demonstrate that they actively work on their writing, are super passionate about books and writing, and grow ad a writer, even if they aren't perfect? Why is it such a scandal when someone who is seriously pursuing something like publication while documenting their journey and process on KZfaq actually succeeds? I DO NOT THINK any publishers are going "Wow, this book is absolute rotten garbage, but they have a KZfaq channel with 80,000+ subscribers so we're going to publish it." First of all, books are a subjective experience and you will always find a bad review but even a book someone thought was garbage is going to have fans somewhere, because everyone is different! It's just literally not possible that a KZfaq creator wrote the worst book ever but still got it published because of subscriber count. But even in the impossible scenario that an Authortuber wrote the single most terrible book to ever be written that was completely unpublishable to every human on the planet, but a publisher bought it anyway and published it in the year 2023 simply because of their subscriber count, my response would still be "Good job to that author! You put in a lot of work to get that deal." Because the writing, scripting and editing that went into a successful Yotube channel is proof enough for me that that work hard and have writing talent.

@wrigleyextra11 Жыл бұрын

writing a good book is way harder than doing youtube. People forget that.

@amy-suewisniewski6451 Жыл бұрын

@@wrigleyextra11 How so???? I personally don't see any evidence to suggest that's true. I'm NOT saying that writing a book is easier than a successful KZfaq channel. I think they're both difficult with different strengths and weaknesses. They do have an overlap of some skills, mainly writing and creating albeit different types.

@wrigleyextra11 Жыл бұрын

@@amy-suewisniewski6451 No, writing a good book is a singular task that requires years of refinement of craft and skill while virality and success on youtube is largely on part of the algorithm and gaming how it works - the success of a lot of garbage on youtube is testament to this and people who achieve it readily say so. People confuse being able to go for the lowest form of entertainment and clickbait as 'hard work' while it's just mindlessly grinding what youtube wants. Not acknowledging this is to disregard the racism, ableism, sexism and other biases baked into it. KZfaq isn't inspired or art. Also I agree with the comment above, we all know Shaelin has been 💯 as a writer regardless of youtube/tumblr so this was really a weird comment to leave about authortube which isn't even in her orbit. Authortube gets people paid and I am happy for them but what they write isn't art. Different strokes for different folks but sometimes some things are just better than others and that is what Shaelin is doing (even if she won't say so herself).