Give 'Em What They Want

I wrote my first novel and I was clueless how to write a gripping query letter to agents and how to write a synopsis without sounding boring. This book gives practical advice in a no-frills sort of way and really guides the first-time novelist in how to write the all-important letters to agents and publishers. I haven't found a book as clear and concise as this one. It had all the information I wanted to know about without feeling like the authors were talking down on me for being a first time novelist, and in fact their words were encouraging to newbies like me. I would recommend this book to EVERYONE who wants to learn how to write query letters, synopses, and outlines. A thoroughly informative guide--from the writing process to interacting with agents. This book lives up to its title!

This book, by Blythe Camenson and Marshall J. Cook, is a plain-spoken, clearly written guide to how to approach agents and editors with queries, synopses, and outlines. I've attended several writers' conferences, and read more than several books on this subject, and this is the only book I've bought to keep as a reference. The title gives the theme: In order to have any chance of attracting an agent or convincing an editor to look at my work, I must give that person what they ask for. If the agent wants a one-page query, write one. Don't bother with a box of cookies or a package of cheese to go with it. If the person wants only e-mail queries, query by e-mail; if regular mail, put the query on paper, in an envelope, with a stamp. But the authors don't stop there. They tell, with examples, how to write a query, and their advice tallies exactly with the best advice I've received from agents and editors at conferences. My only criticism of the book has nothing to do with the advice or anything else within the control of the authors. The illustrations are out of the 1940's, and look as if the publisher, Writers Digest, was saving money by recycling 60-year-old clip art. If the medium is the message, the artwork does the book a disservice.

I can't believe there is only one review for this great, great book. Absolutely the best I've read among its kind. I borrowed a copy from a friend, but after I finished reading chapter 4 and was able to pull off a good query letter, I bought my own copy. Much better than "The Sell You Novel Tool Kit", which didn't help at all. A must-buy for any writers seeking publication!

Novels are one of the most difficult genres to market, aside from poetry: it requires extra attention to a query letter to create an irresistible pique for an agent or editor's attention - and that's where Blythe Camenson & Marshall Cook 's Give 'em What They Want; The Right Way To Pitch Your Novel To Editors And Agents comes in. Query letters, synopses and outlines are all revealed in chapters which discuss the anatomy of a pitch, a submission package's impact, and tips for handling the pitch to maximum advantage. Plenty of examples make it easy to understand why one novel would be chosen over another solely on the pitch.