Comments on: Self-hype

By: Shannon

Shannon — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 16:55:48 +0000

Oh dear, now I'm nervous. My two writing credits include a short story publication in DRAGON magazine (when it was still a print publication)–I think this is a pretty well-known fantasy publication, but I published under my maiden name, so an agent trying to check up on my might not be able to find me in the archives. My other credit is a win in a short-story contest that does come up on Google, and some of the winners' names are even listed, but mine isn't. Are agents going to think I'm lying about these credits? Will my query be trashed? Thank you so much for your advice–nervous writers need to know!

By: DGLM

DGLM — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:01:04 +0000

Haste Yee Back and Robert, you should try sending a query and see what happens. D. Antone, yes, your mention of growing up with handicapped brothers would make me take a second look, especially because it ties in to the themes of the novel.

By: D. Antone

D. Antone — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:56:05 +0000

Great advice. I remember sitting down to write my first query. I struggled with what (if anything) I should say about myself. I had no awards or publications to speak of, so I wrote a sentence or two about the part of my life experience that inspired my novel. The novel is about a handicapped boy who escapes his wheelchair. I grew up with two handicapped brothers who were the inspiration for the book.

What that something worth mentioning?

By: Robert Kent, of Robertkent.net fame

Robert Kent, of Robertkent.net fame — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:19:28 +0000

I recently beat Assassin’s Creed 2 on Xbox 360. Does that count as an interesting achievement unrelated to writing? Keep in mind; this is a particularly challenging video game. Not everyone can beat it, not even most people. Also, I have read all seven Harry Potter novels. Shall I expect your offer of representation within one hour or two? Sigh.

By: Haste yee back ;-)

Haste yee back ;-) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:39:57 +0000

Fantastic TRUE STORY... long time ago, fishing over a bed of spawning bluegill, I lost a fish due to a bad knot tie (my fault). So, I took another hook, same kind, gold long shank #10 out of the package, retied and baited, threw it out and caught the fish I'd just lost through the EYE of the previous lost gold long shank #10 hook!

NOW will you rep me?

Haste yee back ;-)

By: Amanda J.

Amanda J. — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:53:23 +0000

Always good to hear what agents think and want! Thanks for the advice!

By: Donna Gambale

Donna Gambale — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:28:20 +0000

Great advice. Janet Reid gave a query letter workshop this past weekend and said almost the exact same thing. And I still don't get why people lie/exaggerate… I mean, Google exists!