Polish and Dust your MS before Submission

When sending a query to a literary agent or a publisher who doesn't require a lit agent, make sure it is your best presentation. I can't stress this enough, however, it amazes me that I need to mention it at all.

 

Trust me on this, a query letter isn't two lines long that basically says "go look at the attachments" with an attitude that you are doing me a favor. You aren't doing me a favor. Seriously, you're not.

 

There is tons of information about writing a synopsis on the Internet and I've mentioned how to write one many times on this blog.

Out of idle curiosity, I might look at a synopsis even if the query is lacking, but I won't look at the sample chapters if the synopsis doesn't grab me. (A word to the wise on that.) I think Judith is better at looking at sample chapters that I wouldn't bother to read. In the end, if we both don't love-love your work, then we cut bait and move the boat.

 

We request that submissions are sent in MS Word. The first thing that I do is turn on the "show/hide" feature to see if you know how to use the software. This isn't a typewriter, so don't tab or spacebar the title to the center of the page; use the feature that centers the line. It is basic that there is only one space between sentences. Paragraph indents are made with the tab button, not a random number of spaces.

 

The sample chapters cannot read like a first draft. While I can content edit and fix any ms, I don't want to spend that kind of time on a sloppy ms. Whether it is true or not that a sloppy ms reflects on the nature of the writer, I think that it does.

 

We get enough good queries that we don't have to accept messes.

 

A query is a business proposal for Cactus Rain to fund your book. CRP is not a charity. We are a business. Our kids don't cop an attitude and we don't work with people who do. It is that simple.

 

If you believe in your work with a writer's passion, we will notice. Make yourself proud, present your best work. Good luck and write right.

Opps!

I noticed a few things I forgot in recent posts. Just goes to show what happens when I'm writing without notes.

In the posts about manuscript formatting, the cover sheet info should include the genre and word count.

In the synopsis heading or in the first line of the synopsis, add the genre and word count. I like it in the heading best.

And finally, we live in an international world. If you plan to query in the US and live elsewhere, keep in mind that our letter size paper (8.5 x 11.5 inches) is standard. When I print items that are A4, depending on the format, it prints wacky. I have no idea why a literary agent would print something sent electronically, but if they do...have your ms set to the right paper size.

I've added this info to the posts.

MS Synopsis

The point of the synopsis is to tell the whole story of an ms in a way that interests the reader (a literary agent or publisher you want to wow) in one page. A good synopsis can lead to a request to read a partial or full of your ms. A synopsis is a combination of book report (remember those?) and a book review, but a bit different.

The format is universal with a few personal variances per agency or publisher. The sensible approach is to go with the basic format, then make the changes necessary to comply with the specific preferences of your target.

Start with setting your word processing software like this:
*One inch margins all around (top, bottom, sides). One inch is 2.54 cm.
*Single space lines.
*Font is usually Times New Roman or Courier, 10-12pt. I like Tahoma 11pt.
*Center the title, which is Synopsis: title. (If you manage to get the job done in less than a page, then put synopsis and the title on two lines - followed by a blank line.)
*Word count. This is generated by the software, but you'll have to type it in where it goes. There is a mathematical formula for estimating word count. I generally use 300 words per page and do a ballpark of how many chapters end short of a half page. I bet there is an A4 formula out there somewhere, but I've never needed to use it.

What to write:
*Regardless of the POV of the ms, a synopsis is always written in third person.
*Focus on the main character (MC), not all the minor characters. Indicate the MC's name, but honestly, unless they are referred to by their first and middle name by everyone in the ms, then no one cares what their middle name is. For example, I have two friends named Mary Ann. One goes by Mary Ann and the other by Mary. On the second one, no one would care about the middle name if she was the MC.
*Tell the setting, genre, time (contemporary, historical or future -- by indicating the date)
*Tell the whole story. Write the beginning, middle, end of the story. (YES! Tell the end of the story.)
*Tell only the major twists.
*Use active language, rather than passive.
*Don't get poetic, cute, or clever.
*Do not talk to the reader, ie, using second person, YOU. "You will love this book" NO. "You will be scared spitless." NO!
*Don't pitch. None of this: Everyone will love this book. That's a bad pitch anyway, but pitches don't belong in a synopsis.

If I help someone with their synopsis, I want them to tell me nothing about the story before I read the synopsis. The synopsis has to stand on its own. It has to tell the story honestly, but engagingly. Cut out the non-essential rambling. Some people accept a two page synopsis, but if you can do it in one page, then you have done it correctly. The standard is one page. The grammar and punctuation should be perfect.

Give the synopsis to a few reader friends. Listen closely to the questions they ask after reading it. It is likely the agent or publisher will have those questions too. Don't dismiss the questions. Fix the gaps. There is only one shot per target at getting this right.

Party Game: Synopsis

Alright party guests, ready for day two? If you haven't commented in yesterday's blog, be sure to do so.

I'm going to say Ivy (from Croatia) won yesterday's book. She commented she has visited each guest writer's site. That's impressive. (Ivy, I'll email to work out the details.)

Okay...here we go!

Most writers find writing easy. That's what we do. Writers write. The first nightmarish moment comes when we learn we have to write a synopsis before we start querying literary agents.

This is the American version of how that goes: Synopsis tells the whole story, including the big twist we have told no one about AND the surprise ending - in one page. Yes, ONE page. A synopsis is one single spaced page with one inch margins all around, font size 10 or 11, in third person past tense. The trick is to only introduce the main characters, or like in my stories, group the nuns into THE NUNS, and only tell the key points of the story. This is a good way to learn to cut out flowery goobly-goop.

Finally when that is done, the next illuminating realization is that the story has to be told in one, maybe two, paragraphs in the query letter - and it had better be breath taking. As time goes by it is highly likely you'll be asked for a 30 - 50 word blurb about your story -- usually don't tell the surprise ending in this one.

One day, Jen (see the line up on the sidebar) and I got on the kick of doing these exercises - I think she needed one for her book jacket - then we went over the top and did log lines.

A log line comes from the motion picture industry. Scripts were recorded in a log and there was only one line to write a description that would cue studio people which script it was.

I don't remember what I wrote, but for example on Kathryn's Beach, the log line could be: Woman returns to LA to face her past. See? No kidding. They are short. A whole book in just a few words.

Today's party game is to chose any book from the party prizes in the sidebar, write a log line for the book and post it in the comments. (Kathryn's Beach is off limits - I just did it.) If you are shy, it's ok, I understand just leave some kind of comment every day - it's important in the end.

Okay, off with you, scoot, write me some log lines - you don't have to be a writer to do this. Guest writers are welcome to join in, but you can't do your own book or YOU can do a better log line for Kathryn's Beach. Let's see what we get.

Too shy to write and post a log line, then hang out and party in the comment section. (I really want to see some log lines. Do as many books as you want from the line-up on the sidebar. Let's see if we can get one for each prize book. Trust me, you can get enough info from the author's websites. There is no way to do this wrong. We're just having fun.)

From Ivy, with love and pancake...



Here's one from Glyn...makes him an honorary Californian, don't it!



Okay! It's official! EVERYONE is from California today! (my 'hometown')

I love movies with dancing, all kinds. I love love stories too... here is the last dance for today.




JOY COLLINS is here tomorrow!

The comment section is below this line. Click on the word "comments." That's where you can leave a note. eMail me if you have trouble with this...NadineLaman(at)aol.com