I need your help promoting a new project I've started. It's a blog for a Public Query Slushpile:
http://openquery.blogspot.com/
Here's the pitch: Aspiring writers submit their queries with 3-4 sample pages as a comment to the main post (link is at the top-right of the blog). I will create a new post for each query received, posting as-is. Then the reader community (which is currently just me...I need your help!) can comment on them.
Aside from peer reviews and feedback, this may also give us writers insight into the world of an agent, sifting through a daily deluge of queries, trying to find a needle in the haystack. Of course, this all depends on how many writers know about this new blog and choose to submit queries for public viewing. Hence the plea for help...
I would hope that at some point this gains enough momentum that some agents/editors may take interest and occasionally go trolling through this slushpile to see what's out there. It gives them the chance to find a talented writer that didn't query them.
Check it out when you get a chance, and tell all your writer friends!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
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13 comments:
This is a cool idea, Rick. A little intimidating too. I'm actually in the middle of revising my first chapter -- again -- but maybe I'll post it when I'm done. I thought I was done. I'm not.
Davin,
Posting sample chapters is optional. I think there is value to getting feedback on a query, it helps to see how good you are at summarizing your work. I've taken ideas from query revisions back to the manuscript.
But of course, if you aren't ready, wait!
Feel free to mention it on your Literary Lab blog, some of your readers may be intrigued by the concept...
Hello! I have seen you around on all of the blogs that I follow. SO, I thought I would stop by and say hi. :-) I haven't begun the querying process yet, but when I do this may be really helpful.
Nice idea, I will link to this post on my blog :)
Thanks Crimey. And your time is near on EE's blog, are you nervous?
Cool idea!
Kat,
Thanks! I first thought of it when Nathan Bransford asked for suggestions for his blog. The idea of agents going to the queries, rather than the queries going to the agents seemed kind of intriguing.
Then I was lucky (read: fast) enough to have my query critiqued on his blog, and that was a tremendous help. I also follow QueryShark, and Evil Editor, and I know that reading and critiquing queries is informative and sometimes pretty funny.
So instead of sitting around and waiting for someone else to do it, I decided to take action!
Now to make it successful, I just need writers to be aware of it. I hope to some day scream out $%#@ing STOP! But until that day arrives, please help me promote this, it could be very cool indeed...
Rick, this is a fantastic idea! Would you mind me doing a post about it on my blog and linking everybody to your two blogs?
I haven't started querying yet, so I'm not sure I'll be using it right away, but I will be.
You should also check out querytracker.net
Very cool site. They have a blog as well linked from there.
Lady G,
Please do mention it on your blog, that would be great! To more the merrier.
And if this starts to take off and I get hit with the hundreds of daily queries (no pun intended) that agents talk about, I may start asking for help moderating it.
I've heard a lot about QueryTracker.com but haven't checked it out yet, I'll try to wander over there this weekend.
Hey! All my favorite bloggers are here!
Great idea Rick... :)
I've been struggling with my query lately, too. What great timing.
Thanks, Annette. I can't wait to read your query!
Just found your query blog this week and I think it is a great idea. Writers all seem to have problems writing queries. This is a great way to put it out there, get a fresh look and then be able to revise and get input again.
The community of writers should support this sight with gusto and help each other out!
thanks, Rick!
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