Friday, August 10, 2012

Query Letter Workshop

Query Letter Workshop
August 20 - 24 


It's time for another workshop. This one is for the dreaded query letter. I've gathered some talented writers and editors to help me critique forty query letters. All genres and finished or not quite finished manuscripts welcomed. We'll choose forty names from the Rafflecopter, and critique two a day for five days on our blogs.

Here are fantabulous critiquers...


Becca C.
Becca (Becks) Coffindaffer

Twitter: @callmebecks


Okay, I think Becks is my twin (born years apart) but cuter than me and I don't have her fangs. We both are sarcastic and blond. During some of my contests she's participated in, I've noticed her fantastic voice. I love it! And now we are collaborating on very exciting project. She's on the rise! She has a degree in creative writing and offers editing services on her site. Go check it out.

 Marieke Nijkamp


Marieke and I both write YA Fantasy and MG. Her YA novel is PALADIN and my upcoming release has Paladijns (old world spelling) in it. We both write middle grade too! I think we're on the same page (pun intended). We just recently became critique partners, and I loved her novel, PALADINS. She's such a talented writer. She's read slush for years and is an outstanding critiquer.


 https://twimg0-a.akamaihd.net/profile_images/1516609433/newest.jpg
 Sarah Nicolas

Website
Twitter: @Sarah_Nicolas

Sarah does everything. I don't know where to start. She's a contributor with YATopia and YA Rebels. She's an editor of Sift Book Reviews and an intern at Entangled Publishing. I read an opening to her novel in one of my contests and was hooked with her voice and fast-paced writing. Unfortunately, the full manuscript hasn't made it to my inbox yet, but she promised it would soon.

Here's how it's going down...

Sign up with the Rafflecopter below. We'll post instructions and choose winners on Friday, August 17. Be prepared to email your query that day, because whoever doesn't send theirs in by the allotted time, will lose their spot. 



 
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62 comments:

  1. Loralie HallAugust 10, 2012 at 6:09 AM

    This is fantastic, yay! Thank you all for offering this up :-D

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  2. MeredithAugust 10, 2012 at 6:26 AM

    You guys are amazing! I loved the feedback I've gotten in the past and who doesn't need help on a query?!?

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  3. DanaAugust 10, 2012 at 6:53 AM

    Awesome! I feel pretty good about my query, except for this one little section, which of course could make or break it!

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  4. Kelly MetzAugust 10, 2012 at 7:06 AM

    Fantastic opportunity! Thank you!

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  5. LanetteAugust 10, 2012 at 7:33 AM

    I need to start working on my query. This is a fantastic opportunity. Thank you for doing this.

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  6. Melanie StanfordAugust 10, 2012 at 7:38 AM

    Oooh, I'm excited about this! I have a brand new query that needs major HELP!

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  7. Nicole ZoltackAugust 10, 2012 at 7:39 AM

    Thank you for this great opportunity!

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  8. Eric SteinbergAugust 10, 2012 at 7:56 AM

    Thanks for another great workshop. And a timely one - I just rewrote my query. Yours Becca's, Marieke's and Sarah's generosity is greatly appreciated.

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  9. erinAugust 10, 2012 at 8:01 AM

    Thanks for putting this together!

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  10. Cydney LAugust 10, 2012 at 8:04 AM

    I've got to write something up especially for this! I haven't written my query for my newest manuscript yet, so this should give me enough time (and some motivation) to do that! Thanks for the workshop!

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  11. R.A.DesiletsAugust 10, 2012 at 10:40 AM

    Good luck to everyone that enters :) I know my letter needs some work.

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  12. leegomezAugust 10, 2012 at 11:03 AM

    This fantastic--thanks so much for offering this!

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  13. AnonymousAugust 10, 2012 at 11:32 AM

    Super excited about this. Thanks for doing it!

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  14. Feaky SnuckerAugust 10, 2012 at 11:36 AM

    Yes! I hate queries! >_<

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  15. Kissed by InkAugust 10, 2012 at 11:43 AM

    My query letter is finished, but needs polishing. No idea where to begin, so any help is definitely appreciated:)

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  16. Nazarea AndrewsAugust 10, 2012 at 11:48 AM

    Great opportunity! Thanks so much! :)

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  17. AnonymousAugust 10, 2012 at 11:49 AM

    I can't wait to see who wins this one! I hope lots of the TwitWits get in:) Thanks for hosting yet another fabulous contest Brenda!

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  18. AndrewAugust 10, 2012 at 11:54 AM

    Oh dear. Can't believe I just signed up for this. Haven't really written a query before. Will have to whip something up. o_0

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  19. Mary HolmAugust 10, 2012 at 11:56 AM

    I've been working on it for a while but my query letter can use all the help it can get. Thanks, Brenda!

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  20. AnonymousAugust 10, 2012 at 12:47 PM

    I could definitely use some query help...sounds like a great workshop!

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  21. Valia LindAugust 10, 2012 at 1:26 PM

    This sounds great! Thanks so much for the opportunity!

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  22. AnonymousAugust 10, 2012 at 2:20 PM

    Perfect timing- fingers and toes crossed!

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  23. Amanda FoodyAugust 10, 2012 at 3:02 PM

    Thanks so much for this critique! Querying is probably one of the most stressful things in the world.

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  24. E. ArroyoAugust 10, 2012 at 3:09 PM

    Awesome! Thanks for the opportunity.

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  25. Bethany ElizabethAugust 10, 2012 at 3:39 PM

    What a great opportunity! I'm going to be out of town on the 17th, but that's such a cool idea. :)

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  26. KateAugust 11, 2012 at 3:52 AM

    Another great opportunity for writers! Thanks Brenda!! :)

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  27. RachelAugust 11, 2012 at 8:33 AM

    Yes, this is exactly what I've been waiting for! Can't wait!

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  28. AnonymousAugust 11, 2012 at 9:23 AM

    Ooooh!! This is awesome!! :) *fingers crossed*

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  29. Ambiguous_AAugust 11, 2012 at 9:43 AM

    Great opportunity! Thanks so much!

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  30. UnknownAugust 11, 2012 at 10:48 AM

    Thanks for doing this! What a great opportunity.

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  31. MeaganAugust 11, 2012 at 10:53 AM

    These contests are so endlessly helpful, thank you for doing so many of them!

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  32. Kate BrauningAugust 11, 2012 at 12:11 PM

    I'm definitely entering! Can't seem to stay away from contests. Thanks Brenda!

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    Replies
    1. RyanAugust 11, 2012 at 12:20 PM

      This is exactly what I need right now. My query letter is giving me fits!

      Delete
  33. sujaAugust 11, 2012 at 2:52 PM

    Thanks. Definitely need the help

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  34. AnonymousAugust 11, 2012 at 2:57 PM

    This will definitely benefit all of us! Thank you.

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  35. Wendy JoAugust 11, 2012 at 3:51 PM

    Thank you for all your awesome contests! I love this

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  36. LoganAugust 11, 2012 at 4:24 PM

    I love contests and really need some help on my query. Thanks in advance.

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  37. Adrianne RussellAugust 11, 2012 at 5:27 PM

    This is great. Thank you!

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  38. LorieAugust 11, 2012 at 7:46 PM

    Thanks for hosting the contest! I only recently stumbled upon your blog but am so glad I did.

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  39. UnknownAugust 11, 2012 at 7:50 PM

    What an awesome opportunity! This idea rocks.

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  40. AnonymousAugust 11, 2012 at 8:33 PM

    Another great idea. Best of luck to everyone. This should be really fun.

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  41. Sarah GAugust 12, 2012 at 9:20 AM

    This is exactly what I need. Thanks for doing this!

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  42. Gwen ColeAugust 12, 2012 at 12:09 PM

    This is great!! Thank you so much!!

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  43. UnknownAugust 12, 2012 at 12:59 PM

    Thank you so much for the opportunity and coordinating the event. :-)

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  44. T.J.August 13, 2012 at 3:34 AM

    Yes! I need more critiques. Fixing to enter the trenches. And I can use all the extra eyes I can find :) Thanks for the opportunity!

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  45. Ella SchwartzAugust 13, 2012 at 6:16 AM

    Another great workshop! Thanks Brenda!

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  46. K.L. LaytonAugust 13, 2012 at 4:28 PM

    This sounds cool!

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  47. SC AuthorAugust 14, 2012 at 1:04 AM

    This is awesome :) THank you SO MUCH! I need another eye on my query -- I'm probably going to be too scared to send it out when the MS is ready.

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  48. Kim Van SicklerAugust 14, 2012 at 6:26 AM

    Always looking for quality input! Thanks!

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  49. UnknownAugust 14, 2012 at 8:07 AM

    I'm excited about this! I would love some help with my query. You guys are amazing to do this!

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  50. Heather N. RiffleAugust 14, 2012 at 8:57 AM

    Thanks so much for this! I recently rewrote my query and would appreciate any help I can get!

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  51. EmilyAugust 14, 2012 at 10:26 AM

    Another great contest! Thanks!

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  52. AightballAugust 14, 2012 at 1:25 PM

    Excited about this contest!

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  53. Kaitlin AdamsAugust 14, 2012 at 3:52 PM

    So excited for this!! Can't wait!

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  54. UnknownAugust 14, 2012 at 5:21 PM

    Cool and thanks!

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  55. Ellen RozekAugust 15, 2012 at 9:45 AM

    Sounds exciting! Count me in!

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  56. csoontornvatAugust 15, 2012 at 11:31 AM

    Awesome - my query could use some razor sharp editing!

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  57. elizabethfaisAugust 15, 2012 at 12:57 PM

    This is terrific! I want my query to be as polished as possible.

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  58. AnonymousAugust 15, 2012 at 5:37 PM

    Sounds like an awesome opportunity. Thanks for hosting it. :-)

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  59. CherylAnne HamAugust 15, 2012 at 6:01 PM

    Yes please! I can use all the query help I can get. Thanks so much for offering another workshop. :D

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  60. AnonymousAugust 15, 2012 at 8:30 PM

    This sounds great!

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  61. Laurie LitwinAugust 16, 2012 at 9:25 AM

    Oh Yay! I left a comment on Sarah's blog, for the comment entry. I "think" I may have won. Woo hoo!

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