Examples of good query letters and good synopses, with critiques

[Richard Clunan]

Any links to examples of good query letters and good synopses?

I've read through these: http://www.charlottedillon.com/SynopsisSamples.html and some posts on this site.

I'm particularly interested in the following 2 things:

-- Less-than-great query letters and synopses that have been posted up, critiqued, and resulted in a great letter or synopsis -- so I can see the critique, too.

-- Query letters and synopses for literary novels, character-driven novels, first-person-narrative novels.


Thanks

[Lea Zalas]

Richard, what you've read is a start. You can goggle these requests - you'll pull up plenty of sites.

[jayce]

Probably the most popular QUERY FAIL site on the net is Query Shark, written by super savvy agent Janet Reid. If you go there, read the archives of query letters that she dissects in a humorously snarky but oh-so-educational style.

Synopses are a different animal, but as Lea said, Google will turn up a plethora of sites.

Good luck.

[Richard Clunan]

Thanks Lea. Will do.

And thanks Jayce -- that link is just what I'm looking for.

[Jena Grace]

Evil Editor, too--my all time favorite query site: http://evileditor.blogspot.com/

[Jeanne Gassman]

You can also try Chuck Sambuchino's blog:
http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-...iterary-agents

It used to be better, but now he's part of Writer's Digest's web pages, so you have to get past the advertising. To find information on query letters, type "successful queries" into the search box on the upper right. You'll find a bunch of examples of successful queries listed by agents. Chuck also posts synopses of famous movies to show you how to put one together.

Jeanne Gassman

[Emily MacGowan]

Frogger,

I should just point out - the synopses on Charlotte Dillon's site are good - but some of the query letters are from some time ago and bear little resemblance to what's acceptable and has an impact now.

Mirage has allowed me to explore not only the heightened sensuality of an
erotic romance, but given me the opportunity to encounter unique worlds and
shape a story that encompasses those unusual settings. I am excited about
Mirage, which is the first in a series of books with a similar multicultural
theme. I’ve also developed a marketing plan for Mirage to ensure the most
successful showing possible when my work is offered up in the print medium.

Uh, no. That sort of text won't fly now!

[jayce]

Long as you know which is which.