50+ Successful Query Letters from Contracted Authors

Query Letter Success now has more than 50 successful query letters and behind the scenes detail from authors that resulted in contracts with literary agents and/or publishing companies such as Random House, Scholastic, HarperCollins, Bad Day Books, Entangled Teen, Hydra, SAGA PRESS, and many others.

If you're working on a query letter or are writing a book with the intent to eventually query an agency or publishing house, http://www.querylettersuccess.com is a GREAT resource to see what success reads like or to get inspired by author success stories. And here's the best part: it's only going to get better. The site will soon contain an entire section on what to do after you've signed that contract.

So keep writing... and chasing your dreams. And when you're ready to query your favorite agent or publishing house, remember that Query Letter Success was created especially for you.

#amediting #querylettersuccess #queryletter #amwriting

Vince Flynn

Vince Flynn is one of my favorite political thriller authors. His books are packed with action and intrigue and are crafted around plausible real-world scenarios. And his protagonist, Mitch Rapp, makes it a great read.

The Shadow Throne Book Launch

   

I went to Jennifer Nielsen's book launch for The Shadow Throne yesterday at King's English book shop in SLC with about 100 other fans. She spoke about why she dedicated each of her three books to various family members. In short, writing is a huge journey and her family has been her pillar throughout the process. The funniest part of her presentation was when she read various comments from her blog depicting hyperbole at its best from fans dying (in quite descriptive ways) to get their hands on the Shadow Throne.

I brought my 15 year old daughter with me and we waited for an hour in line to get her books signed. She finished with a strong message as she showed stacks of rejection letters she's received while trying to get her first book published: never give up! Good times. And the cake was amazing.

ASCENDANCE TRILOGY - Favorite Book Series of 2013

I haven't personally  met Jennifer A. Nielsen, but based on the email dialogue we've had back and forth, she's a class act. She took the time to critique the first of chapter of Howie and The Prince of Greed, book one of my young adult fantasy series: The Lackawanna Prophecies. When I make it, and I will, she's been a great reminder of the kind of person I want to be. So I'm giving a shout out to Jennifer Nielsen, not just because she's a nice person, but because her Ascendance book series, starting with The False Prince, has been my favorite book series of 2013. I can't wait to get my hands on the last book, The Shadow Throne. We've had it pre-ordered for months. Get yours! You won't regret it. She's got some of the best one-liner zingers throughout the series.

New Book Cover - Kimberly Griffiths LIttle

Kimberley Griffiths Little new book cover is out. I've had the opportunity to meet her on several occasions including at a publishing primer workshop she instructed for a small group of aspiring authors. She is both talented and caring, and I wish her the best of luck with her latest book!

FORBIDDEN book trailer by Kimberley Griffiths Little

The Window Builder - Coming Oct 9th!

This is the moment every aspiring author, including me, dreams of. Their first published novel. I couldn't be happier than to see it happen to Kelly Hoose Johnson. She has been a member of my writing group for two years now, and she has serious talent. 

A number of months ago, Marilyn Bunderson (another published member of our writing group) informed us of a short story writing contest by Cedar Fort. Kelly entered and while her story wasn't chosen to be included in an anthology of short Christmas stories, something even better happened. Cedar Fort decided to publish it as a stand-alone short story. Her book is now available on Amazon.com for pre-order. I've ordered mine--have you?

The Window Builder has all the trappings of a Hallmark holiday movie special. You won't be disappointed. Congratulations Kelly! And I have to say . . . I LOVE the cover. 

Story Structure

I attended a fantastic presentation by Dan Wells, at a writers conference back in February on story structure.

If you 're great at characterization, but struggle at weaving a compelling storyline together, this should be helpful. He refers to it as The Seven Point System. Before you start putting this structure together, you at least need to know who the main characters are, what the setting is, and what the major conflict is. Once you have those, start plugging in the rest as follows:

1. Hook

2. Plot Turn 1

3. Pinch 1

4. Midpoint

5. Pinch 2

6. Plot Turn 2

7. Resolution

Of course there can be several more pinches added, or even plot turns, but this is the basic structure--and it works. Sometimes it helps to start backwards.

The Resolution. Everything in your story should be leading up to this moment. What is your protagonist trying to overcome? Is it an external thing, force, etc, an internal thing, perhaps a combination of both?

The Hook. What is the hook that will grab your readers on page 1 or at the very least in chapter one and keep them turning the pages? Sometimes you have to use the ice-monster approach (think Star Wars, Empire Strikes Back where the movie begins with Luke being attacked by an ice-monster). Starting your novel with a lot of boring background / back story information is a big no, no - - especially if you're trying to get published for the first time. Dive right into the story and sink a hook into their reader that they can't escape from.

The midpoint is that magical place in your story where your protagonist finally begins to move from a reactionary state to one of action and determination (think Lord of the Rings and the Council of Elrond - when they finally decide what to do with the ring). It doesn't mean conflict and turmoil is over, it just means they're finally starting that journey towards resolution.

Plot Turn 1, is what moves you from the beginning to the midpoint. Major conflict is introduced, the protagonist’s world changes, etc. (think about Luke coming back and finding his Uncle dead or Harry Potter learning that a world of magic exists and he's a part of it)

Plot Turn 2, (can you guess?) moves the story from midpoint to resolution--where your protagonist receives that final thing needed to make it happen (think Neo, "The Power is in you!" or Dorothy in Wizard of Oz when she realizes all she has to do is click her heels or Luke: "Use the force Luke!")

Pinch 1, is where conflict is introduced--and the pressure is applied to your protagonist. Could be a bad guy attacks, a sickness, a death, etc--something that forces your character to action (think Harry Potter - when they discover a troll in the bathroom and no adults are around to help).

Pinch 2, apply more pressure until the situation feels hopeless--like there is no way to escape, at least until you get to plot turn 2-- starting to make sense? (think about when Gandalf appears to have been killed by the fiery demon from hell)

This structure can be used for the Hero's journey, romance, tragedy, etc. - - don't feel constrained by genre. As you work through this, make sure your protagonist goes through the try/fail cycles (at least twice). This can be done through multiple pinches where it doesn't always work out in the protagonist's favor. Victory should always be earned - - keep building the overall tension to the resolution with a few small victories along the way. Spread out the action to keep good pacing (your beta readers can help you with that).

Last of all, remember, this is a structure and is not a replacement for good writing. It helps if you take this and break down an existing book/movie as an example. Give it a try with Avatar and see what you come up with. The format works on just about any well written novel/script.

LTUE 2010

I have finished day two of the LTUE2010 conference at BYU and have been absolutely thrilled with the quality of the sessions that I have attended. My hands down favorite session was by Dan Wells. Ironically writes horror - one of my least favorite genres - but after hearing him speak I just might have to give his latest novel a try I'm not a serial Killer - which has been a smash hit in Europe (on fifth printing in Germany) and is arriving in the US this spring.

The point is the guy was hilarious, brilliant, and entertaining and has created a seven point system for writing a novel that innately resonates with anyone who has either written, attempted to write, or even cares about how a book is written. More on this subject later.

After the session ended I heard someone talking about how their group had convinced Dan to give this presentation, and my ears perked up. I introduced myself to Donna, the founder of their Inking Cap writing group, and ended up spending the next forty minutes talking with them. I am now going to their next meeting where Kirk Shaw will give tips/pointers on how to pitch your book. Kirk is an editor at Covenant Communications, an independent publishing company. I am pitching my novel for the first time this April, so I can't tell you how excited I am to learn from someone who does this for a living.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

For me, this book, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer, is my best read of 2009.  My sister recommended it and while it started just a tad slow for me, once it got going I didn't want to put it down. The style of the book (written as a series of letters) is VERY clever and it is based on actual events on the island of Guernsey off the UK coast during the German occupation.  A must read for anyone who loves great literature.  On a side note, it was Mary Ann's first and only published novel. She passed away in February of 2008.  I hope that I get to publish many books before my time comes.