The Clitorides are open for voting. [ Dismiss ]
Home ยป Forum ยป Author Hangout

Forum: Author Hangout

How not to write a query letter

Bondi Beach ๐Ÿšซ

The advice at Query Shark on how to write a good query letter is as funny (and useful) as his examples of what not to write.

bb

Replies:   Vincent Berg
Vincent Berg ๐Ÿšซ

@Bondi Beach

Forget the "Query Letter", his advice is spot on for writing a story blurb.

Replies:   Joe_Bondi_Beach
Joe_Bondi_Beach ๐Ÿšซ

@Vincent Berg

Oops. I used the wrong pronoun. It's a "she."

I agree about the blurb: indeed, the not-very-sub subtext is that writing a good query reveals very quickly problems in your story.

bb

Replies:   Vincent Berg
Vincent Berg ๐Ÿšซ

@Joe_Bondi_Beach

I agree about the blurb: indeed, the not-very-sub subtext is that writing a good query reveals very quickly problems in your story.

Forget the story, how many times have you seen a typo in a story blurb and figured 'this guy's just not serious' and never considered another of their stories. Not putting the effort in reflect poorly on you as a writer in general (says he who rarely edits what he says in these forum discussions!)

richardshagrin ๐Ÿšซ

In my incarnation as reviewer, I don't always point out particular technical errors. In a aggregate way they affect the Technical score. But I do tend to mention typos in the story discussion because they are seen by so many potential readers. I have sent emails to authors pointing out those kinds of problems. Even harder to justify are errors in a story title. Even the best or most popular of authors make these kinds of oops. A. Kind and his Queen is a recent one, quickly corrected.

Replies:   sejintenej
sejintenej ๐Ÿšซ

@richardshagrin

Even harder to justify are errors in a story title. Even the best or most popular of authors make these kinds of oops. A. Kind and his Queen is a recent one, quickly corrected.

I'm not sure I would actually point such criticism effectively naming the author; that could have been a typo (and most of us do those).
What I haven't yet understood is the full stop / point after the first letter. To me that indicates it is the first element in a list. I suppose it could be the initial of the central figure but why?

Replies:   richardshagrin
richardshagrin ๐Ÿšซ

@sejintenej

The title quoted has a period after the A. The title is "A. King and his Queen". Sorry if you expected B. (something). I agree we seldom see that punctuation in a title, but its authors choice, as the story goes on there may be A. reason.

Back to Top

Close
 

WARNING! ADULT CONTENT...

Storiesonline is for adult entertainment only. By accessing this site you declare that you are of legal age and that you agree with our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.