HOW TO WRITE A GOOD QUERY TO GET AN AGENT
Part 2

by Gini Graham Scott, Ph.D.
Excerpt Sell Your Book, Script or Column: How to Write a Winning Query and Make a Winning Pitch

Gini Graham Scott's Sell Your Book, Script or Column: How to Write a Winning Query and Make a Winning Pitch is available on the iTunes App Store for $5.99 under Arrow's Reference, Business & Education Collection. Type in keywords “Arrow Publications" and "Business and Education"

Last Issue: How to Write a Good Query Part 2
At one time the best way to initially query an agent was by regular mail with an SASE to get a response. But today most agents are receptive to initial e-mail queries, and if they express interest, you can follow up with more information by e-mail or regular mail, depending on the agent’s preferences. However, don't send any attachments unless you get permission, since many people won’t open attachments due to problems with viruses, unless the e-mail is from someone they know and the e-mail specifies what the person is sending. What works best and what is most likely to get through the various spam filters today is a simple text message without any special graphics or photos.

What to Send to an Interested Agent
Once an agent has expressed interest to your initial query, the agent typically wants to see certain basic materials.  While different agents may have slightly different requests in what they want, generally, agents want to see the following materials, which are what they would send to a publisher if they represent you.  So have these materials prepared and ready to go on request.  

"Have these materials prepared and ready to go on request."

Have a proposal which includes the following:

For Nonfiction
*Table of Contents
*Overview of the book
*Chapter by chapter outline, with brief descriptions for each chapter
*1-3 sample chapters (up to about 50 pages)
*Description of the market
*Your bio, including your credentials for writing the book, and any promotional support you can provide
 
For Fiction
*Brief synopsis
*1-3 sample chapters (typically 10-50 pages)
*Then be ready to send the whole manuscript on request
 
For Children’s Books
*For younger childre send the whole picture book
(if you didn’t already send it with your query letter)
*For older children follow the nonfiction or fiction guidelines
 
For Scripts and Screenplay
*Send a treatment if it’s based on a book (you can adapt a detailed chapter by chapter outline to create this)
*Send the full script in standard script format if it’s an original script.  

Arrow's Romance Poll for July
the Results Are In!

Who Makes the Best Hero?

The handsome prince rides in on his white horse, slays the dragon and gives the princess a steamy kiss. Now that's a hero!

Last month we asked our readers who they thought made the best hero. 36% of Arrow readers think the prince is the most heroic of them all. The sexy cowboy came in at a tie with the hunky handyman. Both received 24% of the vote. In a surprising turn, lawyers with 12% of the responses came in over doctors who only received 4%.

Visit MyRomanceStory.com for our Next Steamy Romance Poll

Arrow's Top 10 Apps for July 2010

1. The Reluctant Handyman (Love & Romance Collection)
2. The Sensual Zodiac (Dating & Relationship Collection)
3. Romancing Your Moon Signs (Dating & Relationship Collection)
4. Collision Course (Love & Romance Collection)
5. Discover Your Romance Signs (Dating & Relationship Collection)
6. Shipboard Masquerade (Love & Romance Collection)
7. One-Time Thing (Love & Romance Collection)
8. Romance Story G015: Summer Love
9. Romance Story G16: Fool Me Twice
10. Using LinkedIn to Promote Your Business or Yourself by Gini Graham Scott (Reference, Business & Education Collection) 

Bianco Gems Donates Stunning Jewelry for the Grand Prize in MyRomanceStory.com's Blushing Brides Contest!

Our Blushing Brides Writing Contest is a salute to all the blushing brides, screaming bridezillas and the happily ever after couples. Submit your TRUE story of courtship, weddings and marriage to our Blushing Brides Writing Contest and you could win the GRAND PRIZE!

One lucky contest participant will win a fabulous earring and pendant set from Bianco Gems, LLC.

Marahlago Marina Collection Pendant Exquisitely designed with two rows of white topaz gemstones. Very special and sophisticated! Dimensions: 1 1/8" long X 7/16" wide.  18” sterling silver chain included.

Marahlago Marina Collection Earrings with White Topaz: Exquisitely designed with two rows of white topaz gemstones. These spectacular beauties have a French clip/post. Handcrafted in Bali.

ATTENTION: We've extended the Blushing Brides contest until August 31, 2010. So get your entry in today and get your chance to win our Grand Prize Package, this beautiful Marahlago Marina Collection Earrings and Pendant set!

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ADVERTISE with MyRomanceStory

July 28, 2010

Arrow Publications Brings Romance to Comic Fans

Superman has Lois Lane. Spiderman has Mary Jane. And now LongBox has Arrow Publications. Arrow Publications, LLC, publisher of MyRomanceStory.com, has announced that their popular romance graphic novels will shortly be available through LongBox, Inc.

The California-based company offers a free application-based platform for fans to download comics and graphic novels on a personal computer, eReader, handheld device or game systems. “Offering romance stories fits right into our game plan,” explains Rantz Hoseley, LongBox CEO.

Read the whole story

Dominique LeSane, Romance Writer, Knows How to Scratch That Itch!

LeSane's eBook Seven Year Itch is available on the iTunes App Store for $2.99 in Arrow's Love and Romance Collection. Type in keywords “Arrow Publications and Dominique LeSane.”

Dominique LeSane is the author of the sexy new series "The Housewife Diaries." She pens mystery and erotic short stories that leave her readers panting for more. A native of Baltimore, MD, LeSane now calls the Dirty South her home. she loves to share her gift of writing with her readers.

Arrow: So, Ms. LeSane, tell us about yourself?
DLS: I'm not only a writer, but an avid reader. I love romance and erotic as well as contemporary fiction. I'm a lover of the human experience and how we all relate to one another. I’m also married and have a son who is six years old. My husband and I met about 12 years ago while working at a furniture store in the mall during the summer break.

Arrow: It sounds like you have a great life! Dominique, can we chat about erotica and romance? How do you begin to create your stories and characters?
DLS: My friends know that I write and they actually supply me with storylines and characters. It's funny the way that they call me or text me and say, "You will never guess what happened. You should write about this."

Arrow: LOL! OMGoodness. That’s too funny! So, I guess your characters are loosely based on real life.
DLS: I think those are the best storylines. Those are the ones we can relate to.

Arrow: And what do you consider a captivating erotic story?
DLS: One that's not just revolving around the act of sex. Sex is 85% stimulation of the mind, so I love to write stories that are tastefully done that hold onto the readers’ minds.

Arrow: Interesting approach to a story. So what motivated you to start writing and, in particular, in the erotica genre?
DLS: I discovered that I love writing these stories filled with passion, and writing is the way that I best express myself. Then an author friend introduced me to electronic publishing and encouraged me to write for Lady Leo Publishing.

Arrow: So you followed your passion. Can you tell us a bit about your writing background?
DLS: I'm not a trained writer. I didn't go to school for journalism or major in English. It's a God given talent that I strive to continually improve.

Arrow: When you love what you do, it’s like breathing. Do you write every day?
DLS: I try to, but honestly, I'm not that disciplined! I see other writers making page quotas and I wonder how they do that. I sit, clear my mind and then I write as long as the spirit and the characters move me.

Arrow: It’s so important to be in your rhythm when creating. Were you influenced by any specific writer?
DLS: J. California Cooper is an absolute favorite. I also love Bernice McFadden, Lisa Kleypas, and Fern Michaels.

Arrow: Yes, J. California Cooper is a wonderful writer. Have you considered expanding into other genres?
DLS: I'm not sure yet. I'm enjoying romance for now.

Arrow: Fair enough. New writers love advice from experienced published writers. Can you give them a few tips about agents and getting published?
DLS: Well, I'm going to do some self-publishing soon. And, my advice for new writers would be to make sure you learn as much as you can about your craft.  Remember that you always have something to learn. Also, give yourself the freedom to let your creativity flow! And please don't think that just anyone can write a story!

Arrow: Very simple advice. Tell us about your latest releases and favorite stories.
LS: The Housewife Diaries, Seven Year Itch and May/December Romance are my latest releases. Although Seven Year Itch is my top seller, my favorite so far is May/December Romance.

Arrow: Well Dominique, thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us, and keep following your passion.

Search keywords “Arrow Publications" to find Seven Year Itch by Dominique LeSane in Arrow’s Love & Romance Collection in the iTunes App store.

Artist Donald Sherwood – A Legend Passes
September 12, 1930 - March 6, 2010

On March 6, 2010, prolific illustrator Don Sherwood died of cancer at the Levine & Dickson Hospice House in Huntersville, NC.  He was 79.  Arrow Publications would like to extend our deepest condolences to the fans, friends and family of this talented man.  “We were lucky to have Don as one of our illustrators,” said Arrow CEO Pat White "He liked our new take on the classic romance comic and found it a fun and challenging project,” White adds. An old-school comic book artist, Don Sherwood illustrated Nightmare in the Park by hand. The title, which available through Arrow Publications as an eBook and Apple App, is one of our top sellers.

Sherwood is most famous for the comic strip Dan Flagg. Launched on April 15, 1963 it was a huge success, running in virtually every daily newspaper in the country in the 1960s.  He also drew for Hanna-Barbera, including a stint filling in on The Flintstones. Don Sherwood will long be remembered by fans of cartoons and comics.

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