Wednesday, February 22, 2012

The Query Letter

One of the very first things you'll learn about as a literary intern is the query letter.  It's your first opportunity as an intern to prove that you can separate the rare gems from the glorified sandpaper.

Once I decided that I was officially going to make the leap from education to publishing, before I ever even started looking for internships or hunting for entry level jobs, I started to do research.  What do literary agents do?  How do writers get in touch with agents? How are they chosen, or not chosen for that matter? And one of the first bits of information I found was about the infamous query letter.

In many ways, a query is much like a cover letter.  The cover letter can often make or break your chance for a job interview, and the same holds true for the query letter.  If an author can't hook the query reader in with that letter, be it digital or hardcopy, you have likely lost the battle before it had begun.

Much like my post on resume`s had emphasized, a query should also be tailored to the reader.  And who is that reader?  Well, many authors new to the game are not too happy (or even REALLY pissed) when they learn that the person reading their painstakingly penned query is none other than a lowly intern like myself, or perhaps an agent's rookie assistant.  We get piles of unsolicited hardcopies of queries, and we sit at a little table in a quiet room [if we're fortunate to have that much room to claim as our own] and read letter after letter.  Or, we face the ever-glowing computer screen, and scroll through countless emails containing "the next big thing" in compelling literature.  As you can imagine, the letters start to sound very redundant rather quickly.  In fact, it is estimated that roughly 5% of all queries will ever make it into the hands of someone who can do something of value with it, and even less- maybe 1%- will ever be given serious thought.

So, if you are new to publishing, how do you tell a quality query from a crumby one?  Well, when I started out I grabbed a few books.  One of the most helpful was the 21st annual edition of the 2012 Guide to Literary Agents.  It was a great 101 course of literary agents, who they are, what they do etc.  Inside, I found several great articles that gave me the backstory on queries.  In fact, I credit the article "Crafting a Query How to Write a Great Letter" by Kara Gebhart Uhl, for helping me to land my first opportunity.  Basically, it highlighted what a query was: "A query is a short, professional way of introducing yourself to an agent." (Uhl 40)  Kara then pointed out the 3 main parts of the query, and even some tips and tricks for separating the good from the bad.  Without this background, I'm not sure I would have passed my first potential literary intern test.

Before being offered my internship, I first had an interview with all the basic questions and inquiries:  Tell me about yourself.  What makes you want to get into publishing? What do you like to read? Do you have any questions for me?  Etc. etc.  After I passed the personal information portion of the interview, I was immediately asked to read and respond to six different query letters and complete them within 45 minutes.  Thanks to the article mentioned above, I was able to express not only opinions of the letters, whether or not they were professionals, the credibility of the authors, whether or not I'd like to see more or reject it immediately.  Once the agents looked over my responses, they were satisfied and believed I was up to the task of interning.  And now, here I am, wading through various queries.  Reject, reject, reje-hmmm, this might be interesting...reject, reject, reject, reject, WTF is this?, reject, reject.  Well, you get the idea.

So, to all potential interns or other rookies to the publishing game, if you want to make a good first impression, do your HOMEWORK!  (Darn it, there's that teacher voice again.)  Take the extra step to bring some background knowledge with you to the table, it will give you an edge over the other hopeful candidates, and give you a little publishing street cred. 

SIDE NOTE:  Authors, if you want your book published you need to do your homework too.  


A query is your first impression, so make it an incredible one.  It is SO rare that I even get to see a half-descent query, so it leads me to believe that many writers simply don't know what it is or how important it is.  Listen, it may be an entry level nobody reading your inquiry at first, but the bottom line is WE ARE READING IT!  Not the CEO of Super Awesome Literary Agency, or that guy who shows up at your front door with million-dollar checks and balloons for no apparent reason.  So, your letter needs to be concise, professional, and an incredibly interesting read.  Much like a newbie intern should spend some time reading query letters to get a feel for them, you should spend even more time drowning yourself in queries.  Look at what is out there, and how you could sell your idea 100x better.  Get others, preferably professional writers, to look it over before you send anything out.

Also, research the agencies as well.  Each agent has an individual set of preferences.  Know them, and cater to them.  If you want your book picked up, it has to be marketed to the right agent.  Lastly, if you are not already an accomplished professional writer, don't pretend to be one- but start acting like one.  Join professional writing organizations.  Submit to credible writing contests that will get you some notoriety.  Share your writing (or at least concepts and characters) with other professional writers to get some industry feedback- lots of feedback.  That's how you can start to pick up on the holes or flaws in your writing, and can improve a piece before you send it out with both fingers crossed.  One last note, sadly I must tell you that paper letters are dead to most industry professionals.  If you are still mailing out envelopes full of queries and partial manuscripts, they are likely to be viewed as amateur, and dumped into the trash bin.  So, send an email, just be sure your email address isn't #1potsmokerJackass37@hotmail.com, okay.

One last bit of advice, check the small details.  Don't send a query to David Smith, CEO when it's Daniel Smith, CEO.  You'd be amazed at how often these kinds of things happen.  Get in the habit of individualizing letters so your letter intended for Super Awesome Literary Agency, doesn't begin with a greeting to The Wrong One agency instead.

While I'm sure there are plenty of other hints and tips I could send your way, I fear my post is already far too long.  So, if you have any further questions, feel free to drop a comment or send me a question.

That's all for now.
~Michelle In Turn

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

The Dreaded Resume. Ugh.

What is it about writing a resume that makes me feel like someone has dropped a burning stone into the pit of my stomach?  Worst of all it just sits there, heavy and scorching, until the new resume is complete and sent off to a potential dream job, and left for the fates to decide. 




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So what do you add in, and what do you leave out?  As someone who's just made a career change, I'm finding resume writing even more tedious these days.  Not to pat myself on the back, but after a decade of hard work I have quite a few things that I think are important and worthwhile to include on a resume. Shouldn't I?  After spending ten years as a scholar, a teacher, a leader in my professional circle...I should have a lot to show for it, right? But therein lies the problem; it doesn't really matter what I think. I realized that since I am not the one offering myself a job, I'm also not the person I need to cater to.  That means I have to stop stroking my own ego, and get down to it.


The key to a strong resume is that you MUST appeal to the reader. Those of you out there who are still sending generic resumes that glaze over your "greatness" to any and all potential employers are making a grave mistake.  In today's challenging job market, everyone is desperately clamoring to secure an interview, let alone an actual job.  So if you're resume isn't hand tailored to fit the specific company, job description and potential interviewer you are applying to, rest assured it is being passed up.


I was fortunate enough to have a couple of the supervising agents at my literary agency set some time aside to help me take a much needed hatchet to the 4-page nightmare I had been shipping out lately.  


Here are some of the key pointers I was given:


1) Keep it focused.  Get rid of extraneous accomplishments or experiences that don't really translate well into the specific position you are currently seeking. This also means, the shorter the better. Showcase the best, and keep the rest in your back pocket as fodder for the interview.
2) Vocabulary.  Use strong verbs to show the reader what you have been doing, or what you've done.  Also, be sure to vary those verbs too, as there's only so many times a person wants to read created or fostered within a single document before slipping into madness. (Sorry, a little former English teacher frustration releasing itself there. But imagine reading 135 sloppy versions of the same crumby paper each and every day...maddening I tell you! But really, it's what your potential employers have to deal with every time they try to fill an open position. Just something to think about.)
3) Aesthetics.  If your resume looks cluttered or disorganized, it's a turn off.  The reader will feel that his/her time is precious, and wading through pages of chaos will not be appealing.  While there is not one specific format that works better than another, I think clarity and conciseness are much appreciated by all readers.
4) Social Media? Here was a question met with a cocked eyebrow and a smirk.  With a "Hmmmm.  I've never heard of that on a resume before..." followed by a full-on Cheshire grin.  Listen, in today's global economy, the world is moving too fast for all-things-human to keep up.  But if you can show a potential employer that you are doing your best to try, it may be that little extra something that catches their eye and gets you the phone call, text, tweet or email saying "Come on down, and let's talk."


Now, writing cover letters is just as tricky, if not more so. But that will have to be for another session...just talking about resumes is setting in panic and making want to go searching Publisher's Marketplace for my next opportunity.  Wish me luck!


~Michelle in Turn

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Love is in the air...for the undead.

Ah, February 14th.  The one day of the year where I absolutely insist on giving in to the spiraling, tumbling world of romance.  While I give in most other days too, I consider myself very fortunate this Valentine's Day to once again have the arms of my beloved to hold me tight.  So, to show my love just how much I care...I bought him a book [naturally].  


You see, my lover has a mild obsession with ZOMBIES.  He's read and nearly memorized Max Brooks' Zombie Survival Guide (just incase we are faced with a zombie apocalypse), and is now entrenched in World War Z.  He loves classic zombie flicks like Night of the Living Dead, and the comical stylings of Zombieland and Shaun of the Dead.


In truth, he's even gotten me hooked on the whole zombie craze.  We are very dedicated  "Walking Dead" fans, and tune in to AMC every Sunday night for a little bit of zombie terror.  And one of my new favorite series of books is by Carrie Ryan, The Forest of Hands and Teeth, because it mixes just the right of amount of gruesome gore and heart-thumping romance.  I've already finished the second book in the series, which is called The Dead Tossed Waves, and will soon delve into the third which is The Dark and Hollow Places.


So what does one get their zombie-loving lover for Valentine's Day?


Zombie in Love of course!  


You see, I moonlight as a bookseller at Barnes & Noble, and while running amuck cleaning up after everyone in the children's section a few weeks ago, I noticed the rather disturbing cover of this bizarre little children's book.  It features a 90's era grunge-looking zombie fella holding an anatomically precise human heart.  It was perfect.



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So, if you're not sure what to get the handsome weirdo in your life this Valentine's Day, consider picking up Zombie in Love.  

Oh, and one other little treasure I've picked up for the two of us to share, is Zombies vs Unicorns by Holly Black.  While I haven't had a chance to read it yet, I love Holly Black and her twisted approach to fantasy writing.  And since I am totally TEAM UNICORN, and my man is TEAM ZOMBIE, I thought it might be fun to share some of these sick little short stories just before bed- how romantic!  We both enjoy reading for a bit at night just before bed...and one of us [not me] likes to wake the other up after having zombie attack nightmares because of what they read at night!  But, that's all part of the package.

Happy Valentine's Day!  
~Michelle In Turn

Thursday, February 9, 2012

A Fresh Start

Michelle In Turn, what does it mean?

Well, anyone who has ever attempted to start a career in the world of publishing can tell you that it isn't a professional circle that one can just glide into.  In many ways, you really have to put in the leg work to establish yourself as a solid candidate, secure an internship or entry-level position, and start building your name.  Before you can jump into your dream job (or figure out exactly what that is), you need to start at the bottom and work your way up.  In essence, you have to wait your turn.  There were other interns before you, other entry level assistants before you etc. So, as they move up, they make room down below for you.

Putting in the time up front to learn the ropes is vital.  But networking and getting yourself out there is even more essential for opening doors and accessing new opportunities.  And if you're wise, you'll use the time wisely- soaking up all of the experience and information you can.  This will help you further establish yourself as a great potential employee, and will be your best chance of moving your career forward.

I have been an intern at a literary agency here in New York City for about a month now, and already know that it is the best decision I have made in a long time.  My new task of learning to navigate the world of social media is what brings me to this blog.  I hope some of my posts will be helpful to other people starting out in publishing, or with other ambitions such as becoming a successful writer or taking the leap of faith required to switch careers.

I'm Michelle In Turn, and this is my blog.