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jpsorrow 's post today about query letters, from mandywriter 's post.. He's asking people to post those queries that worked for them, and he's linking them on his blog.So, I thought I might as well. Now, this is the query I got my agent with, but he didn't sign this book. This is an adult book and my agent generally only represents childrens books. But, he was so taken with my query that he called me that same day to suggest I give writing YA/MG some thought. I did, I tried it, and fell in love instantly. I haven't looked back and am really proud to be a children's book writer.
I owe it to this query:
Dear [Agent]:
I would like to invite you to consider representing my novel, The Disappearance of Abe Lincoln: And the Misadventures of a Guy With a Mustache and a Chick With an Eye Patch.
I adore ninjas, bunnies, and zombies – So it is sad that none of these are in my novel. It does, however, contain a kidnapping and a road trip. Those are fun too, especially if the kidnapping is of Abe Lincoln. Unfortunately, former president Abraham Lincoln is dead, so the kidnapping is of a different Abe Lincoln.
Abe Lincoln is an experienced ninja for hire with a murky past and noble connections… oh wait…there aren’t any ninjas in this novel. This Abe Lincoln is actually an eccentric, 25-year old, 10th grade history teacher in a small Midwestern town. He has grown accustomed to his famous moniker and is a magnificent educator and student favorite. One night, a guy with a mustache and a chick with an eye patch kidnap Abe. They stuff him into the trunk of their white Ford Taurus and drive north, across the border, into the remote areas of Manitoba. Along the way they meet a bizarre cavalcade of strange characters, including a well-groomed, three-legged wolf who happens to be a packrat, a mannequin dressed up like a fisherman, a Royal Canadian Mounted Police Officer with a penchant for juice, palindromes, and candy necklaces, a family of traveling evangelicals, and a fugitive Elvis look-alike who may or may not be the real Elvis. When the kidnappers relay the ransom demands to Abe’s family, they are met with reluctance. The negotiating goes on for six months. All whilst Abe becomes infatuated with his abductors and begins to hope he is never rescued.
I have shown my novel to some respected authors and have received the following great reviews:
Brett Easton Ellis: “Get the hell away from me!”
John Updike: “Who are you, and why are you following me around?”
Stephen King: “I’m calling the cops.”
Dr. Seuss: “I do not like you sir. No, I do not like you now or then, I do not like you any when. I do not like you here or there, no I do not like you anywhere.”
I thank you kindly for taking the time to read my letter, and would be quite pleased to have you represent me. If you would you like to read part of my novel please contact me at xxxxxxxx or xxxxxxx.
Thanks again for your consideration.
Thanks again for your consideration.
Sincerely,
This query underwent many different revisions, and at one point there was a small paragraph describing how my love of pancakes and Flannary O'Connor had destroyed my life and ability to write up that point. I don't remember if that paragraph was in the version I sent to my agent -- but that version did get several partial and full requests.
(Anonymous)
2008-09-13 02:48 am (UTC)
2008-09-13 03:03 am (UTC)
2008-09-15 05:40 pm (UTC)
2008-09-21 03:33 pm (UTC)
It breaks so many rules in a way that's fun!
2008-10-02 10:35 am (UTC)
xD I hate making assumptions.
I'm interested though. In you, now, I guess. (What a creeper thing to say. I vant to suck your blood. xD)
Super interesting letter. "The negotiating goes on for six months." That made me LOL. Luckily, reading Sarah Rees Brennan's blog has trained me out of reading and drinking. ;)
2008-10-02 12:53 pm (UTC)
it's such a ridiculous book too, i go back and read some of it sometimes and just say to myself, "i can't beleive i actually wrote this AND sent it to people." LOL. there's a scene where two mustaches have a brief conversation.
same name
(Anonymous)
2009-04-29 02:32 am (UTC)