Bryan DeLuca —> Blog You
Every time you read my blog an angel gets its wings.

Prep Your Manuscript

If you are planning on sending part of or your whole manuscript out with your query letter, make sure your manuscript is in perfect condition before sending it out. One of the things that may turn off agents, editors or publishing houses is mistake in the first few pages. It will may stop them reading right in their tracks. 

The longer the piece the more time you will probably send editing it. A novel will need more time on the editing process. 

Some agents will request synopsis of longer pieces beforing even requesting a manuscript. Also, always check with agency to see how they perfer receiving materials. 

The other day a young writer asked me how to get their work read by an editor at a particle magazine. Surprised, I asked them about their Query Letter. The writer looked at me a little confused. So, I decided to start a series for Query Letters. 

First Thing’s First: What is a Query Letter?  A Query Letter is a short letter to an editor, publisher or agent to try to sell your project. It’s that simple. It basically asks for permission to send the project for their review. The query letter can be sent with or without part of a manuscript. But, the query letter must sell the editor into wanting to look at your complete piece. Think of it as a one-page resume for your project.

Noted historian Stephen E. Ambrose once said, “There is nothing like standing before 50 students at 8 a.m. to start talking about an event that occurred 100 years ago, because the look on their faces is a challenge - ‘Let’s see you keep me awake.’ You learn what works and what doesn’t in a hurry.” What Ambrose discovered is the best grabber is a story to make the it come alive for the listeners or reader.

My friend e-mailed me the other day, telling me he was on the final editor of his huge novel that he had spent almost ten years on. Yeap, ten years of hard work. I have to admit, I was jealous of his time and dedication to a project he believes in and trust me he’ll succeed with it.

It got me to thinking, how many writers give up the ghost. They today I was bouncing around some other writers’ blogs. A decent amount had fallen silent. What happened to them…what happened to their dreams…what’s happening to mine.

I’m almost finished with the first part of a trilogy I’ve invested three years in. Why did I stop and just leave my characters abandoned like that…

I’ve been so busy working on a few projects that I really haven’t been working on my site. Sorry. I miss it greatly; sometime I fell it’s the only thing that is truly me, except for my creative works. But I got some good news today. One of the pieces I had been working on was nominated for a Mark Award. Let’s see. I’ll fill you guys in when the contest is over.