tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588509537601105804.post1126804494048332421..comments2024-01-26T08:04:08.517-05:00Comments on The Public Query Slushpile: 100 Followers! And a contest!Rick Daleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05173516899130463413noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588509537601105804.post-77791802113036834742009-06-14T13:58:01.932-04:002009-06-14T13:58:01.932-04:00Sorry i didn't respond sooner. I've been o...Sorry i didn't respond sooner. I've been offline.<br /><br />You're welcome folksinmt :)<br /><br />As for the one-page crit, I had imagined something more along the lines of "personal between the winner and a few people who offer up their time for the critique" just b/c I didn't think you wanted to open up PQS to page crits (that newbies might see that & think that's equally what you do here). But a public crit would be beneficial to the group as well. Maybe the winner would want to chose?Stephaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18127448645515191294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588509537601105804.post-75239993192214176412009-06-03T18:07:23.239-04:002009-06-03T18:07:23.239-04:00oohhh! Now you've gone and done it agian—does ...oohhh! Now you've gone and done it agian—does that put me in the lead?J.B. Chicoinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06894797553204276281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588509537601105804.post-72642752840181639872009-06-03T17:58:36.571-04:002009-06-03T17:58:36.571-04:00Next contest is going to be a blushing contest bet...Next contest is going to be a blushing contest between Laura and JB ;-)Rick Daleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05173516899130463413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588509537601105804.post-80377937765420323142009-06-03T14:04:38.592-04:002009-06-03T14:04:38.592-04:00Thanks, JB! That made me blush. When HOLLOW SOULS ...Thanks, JB! That made me blush. When HOLLOW SOULS is published (even if I have to do it myself!), I will happily send you a copy. I'm equally curious about STORY FOR A SHIPWRIGHT, so good luck with it!Laura Martonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17131901155051433491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588509537601105804.post-14021096039411186582009-06-03T09:10:29.344-04:002009-06-03T09:10:29.344-04:00As much as I like Quest Support for its clever que...As much as I like Quest Support for its clever query, I think the one I'd most likely read based on the query is Hollow Souls—more my taste in genre.J.B. Chicoinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06894797553204276281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588509537601105804.post-42047680713569706302009-06-03T03:05:55.137-04:002009-06-03T03:05:55.137-04:00Okay, I just finished reviewing all 75 original qu...Okay, I just finished reviewing all 75 original queries (plus most of the revisions) - even though I should be working, I might add! - and, naturally, I found it hard to decide on my favorite queries, but here goes the top three:<br /><br />1. The Vampire, the Witch & the Wardrobe<br /><br />2. Quest Support (1st revision)<br /><br />3. Broken (3rd revision)Laura Martonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17131901155051433491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588509537601105804.post-5265866112125300502009-06-02T17:48:14.185-04:002009-06-02T17:48:14.185-04:00I'm truly flattered that people like my Quest Supp...I'm truly flattered that people like my Quest Support query so much. Now if only I could find an agent who felt the same way. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00402245144808634346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588509537601105804.post-30939177801835875582009-06-02T17:22:21.348-04:002009-06-02T17:22:21.348-04:00Folksinmt:
Sweet! Thank you for the compliment, ...Folksinmt:<br /><br />Sweet! Thank you for the compliment, and for the tip. I would love to see Rudy in print.Rick Daleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05173516899130463413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588509537601105804.post-78514066115254155892009-06-02T17:12:16.069-04:002009-06-02T17:12:16.069-04:00Not trying to kiss butt, but my favorite is Rudy T...Not trying to kiss butt, but my favorite is Rudy Toot Toot. I love a query I can laugh at (in a good way!). It is well structured and precise. Way to go Rick! By the way, there is a small publisher called Shadow Mountain that does children's books (you wont need an agent to work with them.) They use great illustrators. Give them a try.<br /><br />And Eden, you made my day! The Saving Race is mine and I certainly didn't expect to see it nominated. I've been agonizing over revisions since I posted it here. Glad to hear the praise!Lori Folkmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12707165102926821045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588509537601105804.post-65443416007066932412009-06-02T12:32:11.416-04:002009-06-02T12:32:11.416-04:00Rick, that's a good question - the best written on...Rick, that's a good question - the best written ones (IM0) are ones in areas I don't read too frequently...<br /><br />I do think QS gets tone/voice spot on and is tightly written, so I'll stick w/ it as the best query (and pass it on to one of my colleagues at the Imaginary Agency of The Afterlife).Joshua McCunehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17367262185912463258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588509537601105804.post-28617824458525226642009-06-02T11:59:22.791-04:002009-06-02T11:59:22.791-04:00Eden,
I like the idea of a page critique.
Are y...Eden, <br /><br />I like the idea of a page critique.<br /><br />Are you thinking it would be posted here and open for comments, or personal between the winner and a few people who offer up their time for the critique?Rick Daleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05173516899130463413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588509537601105804.post-20241562897335660042009-06-02T11:31:55.457-04:002009-06-02T11:31:55.457-04:00I like "The Saving Race" (http://openquery.blogspo...I like "The Saving Race" (http://openquery.blogspot.com/2009/04/query-saving-race.html). It has a great hook, a clear structure and if I were an agent, I'd ask for a partial based on what's there.<br /><br />As for prizes, how about line-by-line nit-picky critique of a query letter or feedback on X# of pages by readers who would offer to do it? The readers here are obviously into giving feedback. :)Stephaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18127448645515191294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588509537601105804.post-44341980005069422832009-06-02T07:11:21.723-04:002009-06-02T07:11:21.723-04:00Bane,
Thanks for weighing in. Do you have a pic...Bane, <br /><br />Thanks for weighing in. Do you have a pick for something that is more in line with your personal tastes? Just curious...Rick Daleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05173516899130463413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588509537601105804.post-15170560008506569712009-06-02T01:36:55.572-04:002009-06-02T01:36:55.572-04:00I like quest support's voice and premise, but I kn...I like quest support's voice and premise, but I know I wouldn't want to rep it (I'm one of the few who absolutely abhorred Douglas Adams's THGTTG and this seemed similar in tone - which is good for many, but not for me)... <br /><br />But in terms of queries, I think it hits the nail on the head for the targeted agent.Joshua McCunehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17367262185912463258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588509537601105804.post-60869840222903655762009-06-01T20:18:36.068-04:002009-06-01T20:18:36.068-04:00Oh, I'll write the check. It's just that ...Oh, I'll write the check. It's just that nobody can cash it.<br /><br />JB, red is a good color for you. I hope that someday I'll be able to meet you at a conference and get you to sign a copy of STORY FOR A SHIPWRIGHT. Or, better yet, we'll be sitting next to each other signing copies of both of our books for the hoards of agents who are telling us how they can't believe they turned down bestsellers such as ours.<br /><br />You have to dream, you know...Rick Daleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05173516899130463413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588509537601105804.post-54753026230050253732009-06-01T19:21:04.319-04:002009-06-01T19:21:04.319-04:00I have an idea for prizes... You can write a check...I have an idea for prizes... You can write a check for $10,000...<br /><br />I've read about half of them, I'll vote when I've read them all. (finished versions) It's only fair.Charlie Ricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02347938747849177632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588509537601105804.post-11382928501785219792009-06-01T18:38:54.886-04:002009-06-01T18:38:54.886-04:00Rick,
I’ve gone bright red again…
I was actually h...Rick,<br />I’ve gone bright red again…<br />I was actually hoping to break a record with Story for a Shipwright, for the most revisions, but I’m running neck and neck with Raingun.<br /><br />As for my favorite, I wish, as usual, that I could come up with something original. Alas, I too, especially like Quest Support. It sounds really fresh!J.B. Chicoinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06894797553204276281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588509537601105804.post-30475194684954580082009-06-01T17:55:57.955-04:002009-06-01T17:55:57.955-04:00Hope,
The contest is open for any query. I thin...Hope, <br /><br />The contest is open for any query. I think a few that went through multiple revisions were actually OK in the early stages. If there is one in the middle that nailed it (like revision 2 out of 4), that would be noteworthy.<br /><br />I'm all for an honorable mention for most improved. In that case my vote would be for either Seven Inch Vinyl, or Hound in Blood and Black.<br /><br />I would give an honorable mention to Story for a Shipwright for best query, but not because of the query itself. I really liked the sample pages on the original submission and would read more.Rick Daleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05173516899130463413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588509537601105804.post-85912189670339375642009-06-01T17:43:50.900-04:002009-06-01T17:43:50.900-04:00That would be mine, too, Rick, although I think yo...That would be mine, too, Rick, although I think you need to clarify: Do you mean *beginning* query, or the end result?<br /><br />And while we're at it you might consider a "Most Improved" category, although I doubt my memory would extend that far.hope101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588509537601105804.post-89441282540606887282009-06-01T15:47:26.502-04:002009-06-01T15:47:26.502-04:00My favorite query so far is Quest Support. It's c...My favorite query so far is Quest Support. It's clever and has a good voice.Rick Daleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05173516899130463413noreply@blogger.com