tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588509537601105804.post2434859264971384412..comments2024-01-26T08:04:08.517-05:00Comments on The Public Query Slushpile: Query: Wilder Times / Genre: YARick Daleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05173516899130463413noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588509537601105804.post-61490897160326334972010-05-02T17:14:34.202-04:002010-05-02T17:14:34.202-04:00Hi Susan,
I am the site moderator, thank you for...Hi Susan, <br /><br />I am the site moderator, thank you for stopping by. There's a chance that the author for this query (Wilder Times) has subscribed to comments on this post and will get an email with your comment. I will put up a special post, hopefully the author will be able to get in touch with you.Rick Daleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05173516899130463413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588509537601105804.post-18863078502723448372010-04-30T14:22:06.665-04:002010-04-30T14:22:06.665-04:00A posted query has caught my eye. I am a Lit Agen...A posted query has caught my eye. I am a Lit Agent, accepting new clients. How do I contact the author of the query entitled <br />"Wilder Times" <br />Thank you,<br />Susansusiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11062417541883330720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588509537601105804.post-2424532126572135842010-04-14T17:57:15.775-04:002010-04-14T17:57:15.775-04:00First three paragraphs are back story. Cut.
I am ...First three paragraphs are back story. Cut. <br />I am also confused as to whose story this is. Ben? (I'm guessing because you talked about him first) or Kat because there's more information on her. <br />Either way pick the main character and give me conflict, goal and motivation. The best way to do this is to do it in 3 sentences and then expand from there. <br />Good luck!Aimlesswriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03012050763172251381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588509537601105804.post-70645672904208235042010-04-14T09:14:31.340-04:002010-04-14T09:14:31.340-04:00I would agree with the others have said. The quer...I would agree with the others have said. The query is too long. It seems like there is too much going on, between the love story. <br /><br />Focus on one character over the other. <br /><br />I"m not sure why Kat's dead father is haunting her, or why this is a subplot.<br /><br />120 is long, but don't act like it's shocking. YA books are getting longer. <br /><br />But if you know it's an issue while your writing the query and it's a concern for you, go back and revise.<br /><br />Good luck with your query.Erinnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936046127305211439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588509537601105804.post-56126044404880344442010-04-13T21:54:47.961-04:002010-04-13T21:54:47.961-04:00I'm super confused: Is this story primarily ab...I'm super confused: Is this story primarily about Ben, or Kat? Because if it's about Kat, I don't understand why you'd start with Ben. <br /><br />Beyond that: the first 2 paragraphs could be wrapped up in a sentence, and the third paragraph has very bland info as well. This is all I really need to know: Kat dreams about rock stars--one in particular: Ben Wilder. I'm not certain the relevance of anything before that.<br /><br />Queries should be short and to the point. I'd work on narrowing down what you have, pinpointing the plot, and going from there.<br /><br />On a personal note, I'm not crazy about the "take a break" and "ahem" comments. If it's 110+, don't start by apologizing about it. Own it! (Of course, I'm sure you're aware that this is a bit long for most YA, but hey ... you wouldn't be the first!)JESSJORDANhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08915521022827231804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588509537601105804.post-25055238722674295382010-04-13T21:28:05.566-04:002010-04-13T21:28:05.566-04:00You know, I'm guessing, that 112k is long for ...You know, I'm guessing, that 112k is long for a YA book. Length can be forgiven, but only if every word is meaningful. If the book is like your query, you need to go give it a thorough pruning :)<br /><br />As for the query itself: <br />Basically, as I understand it the story is about Ben, a teen pop star who doesn't want to wind up dead from addiction like his dad, and Kat, who gets caught up in Ben's world. <br /><br />Thing is, I don't see any stakes here, and there's a lot of vague language (the entire 'But again ..." paragraph, for example.) What exactly does Ben have to do? So far the only thing that seems to be happening is a love triangle and some angst over his dad. Give concise specifics. Also, is Kat a POV character? If so, does she have anything to do or choose besides hating her swimsuit-model rival?<br /><br />Hope this helps you focus the query, and good luck! Also, I like the title :)Andrea Coulterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13478845861604754432noreply@blogger.com