Tuesday 28 June 2011

In the throes of pitching a novel ...

William Shakespeare - Hamlet Synopsis and Summary | Mind Map
Source
I'm in the throes of query and synopsis writing today, before starting a very time-consuming paid job, so please excuse me if I'm a bit AWOL! I've just gotta get this done.

My novel, Bitter Like Orange Peel, is a toughy, to say the least! It's told from the perspective of six different characters and they all have their own internal stories within the main plot that links them all together. Eeek! I'm pulling my hair out!

God, when will these damn things ever get easier to write???

PS: I'm going to try for an agent with this one. Wish me luck!

PPS: If there's anyone out there who would like to volunteer their time to offer feedback on my pitch package, please let me know! I really need it!

27 comments:

  1. C'mon, you're a pro. It is going to be a great success.

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  2. I love the title, I'm positive it will be a success. Good luck

    Yvonne,

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  3. Good luck! Too bad the query and synopsis aren't as fun to write as the book.

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  4. Good luck with the query and synopsis. I guess we all need to take the bitter with the sweet.

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  5. Good luck with all projects and jobs! Synopsis and query writing is worse than the novel writing for me!

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  6. Good luck! Query writing is no fun, and synopsis writing is worse ;-)
    Take a deep breath and go for it!

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  7. 6 POVs is going to be tough to fit into a query letter.

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  8. I actually love the query/snopsis process, but that is the marketer in me. I have a lot of experience from both sides, being a writer and having worked for threee publishers and a literary magazine. I am happy to review if you would like.

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  9. Sometimes I pitch novels out the windows. It helps.

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  10. Great title! It sounds terrific; I like ambitious novels with multiple perspectives. Good luck with your pitch!

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  11. Good luck! I'm sure they'll be great! :-)

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  12. OMGosh...I hadn't thought of writing the synopsis for the Orange Peel story. Good luck, hon. I know you can do it. :)

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  13. I highly recommend joining the Agent Query forums. I have learned tons by reading other posts and chiming in with critiques of others' queries (synopses have a forum too). Once you've gleaned great tips, you can post your stuff for critique too.

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  14. Best of luck with the drudgery of the query and synopsis (and the paid job), and don't worry about being a little scarce in the meantime.

    Oh, and when you find success pitching your 6-perspective story, I plan to steal your technique for my tale with 12. Make us proud!

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  15. Yay! Fun times ahead! Though i guess i'm outside the norm in that i think querying is fun.
    I'm shite with synopses and pitches, but i'd certainly be willing to check out your query if you'd like. Toss me an email (should be in my blogger profile)

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  16. Good luck with your agent search and all that you're working on! Love the new look here...:)

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  17. Those complex stories are a bitch to pitch! I am so sorry! I would focus only on the thread that connects them, maybe mentioning that six separate stories lead into the main, though I find agents are scared of things that break formula, and that sounds like it does. One HUGE thing that may help is if you have anything remotely comparable--book or film. I'm really bad at these, but I'm happy to be an extra set of eyes.

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  18. Luck? You don't need luck. You're already a star <3

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  19. Well, then, I won't leave you a long comment. Hope you have success because I can't wait to read the book now.

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  20. I feel for you. I liked the part about your orange peel being tough.

    6 characters?! No wonder you're pulling your hair out. Good luck!

    While I'm happy with my most recent query, I haven't started my synopsis yet. Gulp.

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  21. I'm not terribly experienced, but I'd be happy to have a look at your pitch package. Best of luck. I love the title.

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  22. I couldn't finish watching the video in your latest post - it upset me so much!

    Good luck with the querying/synopsis process! I'd be happy to take a look at your pitch package if you'd like :-)

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  23. Good luck! and you have a great looking website/blog btw.

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  24. Thanks all! Sangu, thanks, but all good now :o)

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  25. Jessica, have you ever tried Marla Miller's FREE query critiques on line? Marla is a book marketing pro I met at Santa Barbara Writer's Conference. I put some of her videos on my site as a resource to my memoir reading/writing blog readers. Here's a sample video. Marla also does fiction, so you can contact her directly at her website called marketingthemuse.com
    http://100memoirs.com/2011/04/26/want-to-write-a-great-memoir-query-letter-marla-miller-can-help/

    Hope this is helpful! Thanks for your comment on my site.

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