Comments on: anatomy of a query letter http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/2006/05/29/57/anatomy-of-a-query-letter/ by Cynthea Liu Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:51:59 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Cynthea http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/2006/05/29/57/anatomy-of-a-query-letter/comment-page-1/#comment-59992 Cynthea Mon, 09 Mar 2009 04:22:35 +0000 http://www.cynthealiu.com/2006/05/29/57/anatomy-of-a-query-letter/#comment-59992 Hi Jean, if the notes are absolutely critical to the comprehension of the story, I have explained how to do illustration notes at the end of this article. Hope that helps! http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/2007/08/30/264/q-i-am-writing-a-picture-book-should-i-include-art-specs-for-each-page/ Hi Jean, if the notes are absolutely critical to the comprehension of the story, I have explained how to do illustration notes at the end of this article. Hope that helps!

http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/2007/08/30/264/q-i-am-writing-a-picture-book-should-i-include-art-specs-for-each-page/

]]> By: Jean Earhart http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/2006/05/29/57/anatomy-of-a-query-letter/comment-page-1/#comment-59554 Jean Earhart Sun, 15 Feb 2009 21:01:11 +0000 http://www.cynthealiu.com/2006/05/29/57/anatomy-of-a-query-letter/#comment-59554 Hi Cynthea, I've written a 750 word picture book that I feel is ready for submission. My question to you is this -- A large part of the movement of the story takes place subtly (and not so subtly) in the background illustrations. As I am not an illustrator, I have added possible illustration notes after each page of text. Is this considered acceptable? If so, how do I format those notes? Most sincerely, Jean Hi Cynthea,

I’ve written a 750 word picture book that I feel is ready for submission. My question to you is this — A large part of the movement of the story takes place subtly (and not so subtly) in the background illustrations. As I am not an illustrator, I have added possible illustration notes after each page of text. Is this considered acceptable? If so, how do I format those notes?

Most sincerely,
Jean

]]> By: Cynthea http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/2006/05/29/57/anatomy-of-a-query-letter/comment-page-1/#comment-58834 Cynthea Fri, 23 Jan 2009 02:53:17 +0000 http://www.cynthealiu.com/2006/05/29/57/anatomy-of-a-query-letter/#comment-58834 Hi Fiona, you have to keep honing your stories, and put stuff aside to come back to them later when you are ready. Everyone gets disheartened in this biz. You will feel recharged again when you hit upon a new idea for your work or start a new story altogether. Also keep in mind, kids are not the people who acquire the books. While the general public may like your stories, you have to figure out what has appealed to publishers in the past. To do that, study the stuff that has been published recently and examine the style of writing, the length, the picturability, etc. and compare it to your own text. Sometimes it's just a matter of structure or length or snappiness in the writing. I find this often helps me when I'm wondering what I'm doing wrong. Keep at it, Fiona! Hi Fiona, you have to keep honing your stories, and put stuff aside to come back to them later when you are ready. Everyone gets disheartened in this biz. You will feel recharged again when you hit upon a new idea for your work or start a new story altogether.

Also keep in mind, kids are not the people who acquire the books. While the general public may like your stories, you have to figure out what has appealed to publishers in the past. To do that, study the stuff that has been published recently and examine the style of writing, the length, the picturability, etc. and compare it to your own text. Sometimes it’s just a matter of structure or length or snappiness in the writing.

I find this often helps me when I’m wondering what I’m doing wrong.

Keep at it, Fiona!

]]> By: Fiona Griffin http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/2006/05/29/57/anatomy-of-a-query-letter/comment-page-1/#comment-58629 Fiona Griffin Sun, 18 Jan 2009 13:51:53 +0000 http://www.cynthealiu.com/2006/05/29/57/anatomy-of-a-query-letter/#comment-58629 Hi, I have to say, yet more great advice. I do have one thing preying on my mind. From what I read to children I have contact with, one of my most popular does have a dancing elephant in it! I know editors take a different opinion. I'm onto writing my 21st story and still debating in my mind whether I should continue writing. Many of the children I read to do seem to enjoy the interaction I write of especially when I tell this story. It is very physically descriptive. Many of my others take the same format. One favourite is a pig who creates a new kind of chocolate! (it doesn't infringe on Charlie & the chocolate factory). I type it up and wrap it around my sweets. Very popular amongst adults who eat the chocolate and tell the story to their kids! Should I submit them or forget it altogether? It won't stop me writing, but I am a little disheartened at the moment. Sorry to dump it on you! Thanks, Fiona Hi,

I have to say, yet more great advice.

I do have one thing preying on my mind. From what I read to children I have contact with, one of my most popular does have a dancing elephant in it! I know editors take a different opinion.

I’m onto writing my 21st story and still debating in my mind whether I should continue writing. Many of the children I read to do seem to enjoy the interaction I write of especially when I tell this story. It is very physically descriptive. Many of my others take the same format. One favourite is a pig who creates a new kind of chocolate! (it doesn’t infringe on Charlie & the chocolate factory). I type it up and wrap it around my sweets. Very popular amongst adults who eat the chocolate and tell the story to their kids!

Should I submit them or forget it altogether? It won’t stop me writing, but I am a little disheartened at the moment. Sorry to dump it on you!

Thanks,
Fiona

]]> By: Cynthea http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/2006/05/29/57/anatomy-of-a-query-letter/comment-page-1/#comment-13935 Cynthea Thu, 31 May 2007 19:53:57 +0000 http://www.cynthealiu.com/2006/05/29/57/anatomy-of-a-query-letter/#comment-13935 I'm glad you found the article inspiring. Good luck with your query! I’m glad you found the article inspiring. Good luck with your query!

]]> By: Sonya http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/2006/05/29/57/anatomy-of-a-query-letter/comment-page-1/#comment-13639 Sonya Tue, 29 May 2007 17:09:58 +0000 http://www.cynthealiu.com/2006/05/29/57/anatomy-of-a-query-letter/#comment-13639 Thanks! I was debating whether I should query an editor/agent for my children's book and you've inspired me to forge ahead. Thanks! I was debating whether I should query an editor/agent for my children’s book and you’ve inspired me to forge ahead.

]]> By: Cynthea http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/2006/05/29/57/anatomy-of-a-query-letter/comment-page-1/#comment-5138 Cynthea Mon, 26 Feb 2007 14:59:45 +0000 http://www.cynthealiu.com/2006/05/29/57/anatomy-of-a-query-letter/#comment-5138 Oh my, a profession of love! Thank you. I appreciate the praise. Oh my, a profession of love! Thank you. I appreciate the praise.

]]> By: Jerry D'Eliso http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/2006/05/29/57/anatomy-of-a-query-letter/comment-page-1/#comment-4986 Jerry D'Eliso Thu, 22 Feb 2007 02:21:55 +0000 http://www.cynthealiu.com/2006/05/29/57/anatomy-of-a-query-letter/#comment-4986 This whole thing about queries is really good. I learned much in a short time; you delivered what I needed. And so, Cynthea, I love you...no need to reply, just, thanks. This whole thing about queries is really good.
I learned much in a short time; you delivered what I needed. And so, Cynthea, I love you…no need to reply, just, thanks.

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