tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8763911471376369172.post4283793222823881649..comments2024-01-22T05:21:28.419-05:00Comments on IshtaBlogs: Picture Book Query Workshop: Catherine Johnson's CritiqueIshta Mercuriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17776946702988283453noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8763911471376369172.post-2905872388427358342012-02-27T00:07:50.287-05:002012-02-27T00:07:50.287-05:00Great question, Stacy.
The giveaway of the ending...Great question, Stacy.<br /><br />The giveaway of the ending is actually one of the big differences between a query and a synopsis. A query should give the reader just enough to make them want to read your enclosed sample pages - think of it as being like the flap copy on a book in the bookstore.<br /><br />A synopsis, on the other hand, accompanies a query letter and the first 5-10 pages of a novel manuscript, and its job is to summarize the rest of your book to give the agent a better idea of whether they'll want to read beyond your first few pages. You DO need to tell the ending here - a synopsis should include all the main plotpoints in your story, and is usually 3-5 pages long (although I've heard of them being up to 30 pages, so this can vary depending on the length of the book and the number of subplots and the preferences of the agent or editor in terms of level of detail).<br /><br />Fortunately for picture bookers, a synopsis is never necessary when querying; since picture books are so short, you just include the whole manuscript with your query. :-)Ishta Mercuriohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17776946702988283453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8763911471376369172.post-89520736020057743332012-02-23T21:48:07.974-05:002012-02-23T21:48:07.974-05:00Great critique! I've never written a picture b...Great critique! I've never written a picture book, and hadn't thought about how hard it must be to summarise such a short story for a query.<br />Nice to meet you through Matthew's blog!Deniz Bevanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17134553551048836979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8763911471376369172.post-38500789714066958262012-02-23T16:39:34.380-05:002012-02-23T16:39:34.380-05:00Thank you Catherine for submiting your and to Isht...Thank you Catherine for submiting your and to Ishta for doing this. So, I'm confused. I thought you could tell the ending in a query and synopsis. I'm here to learn.Stacy S. Jensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09646270238659432058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8763911471376369172.post-84545053763226373272012-02-23T16:25:09.671-05:002012-02-23T16:25:09.671-05:00I am looking to learn everything I can about queri...I am looking to learn everything I can about queries! Thank you so much for this post. It was very helpful!Eric VanRaepenbuschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13066260352744488155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8763911471376369172.post-66078277873789636602012-02-23T13:03:20.607-05:002012-02-23T13:03:20.607-05:00Thank you for starting this series. This is very h...Thank you for starting this series. This is very helpful!Darshanahttp://www.flowering-minds.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8763911471376369172.post-34187738617523925892012-02-23T12:46:14.821-05:002012-02-23T12:46:14.821-05:00When I first saw a PB query come across Matt's...When I first saw a PB query come across Matt's blog, I immediately thought, "How in the world do you do that without the picture part???" A hard thing, I imagine. Since I don't know anything about PB queries, I'm just along for the ride. Thanks, Ishta and Catherine.Barbara Watsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06547166495514562286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8763911471376369172.post-43619524561063731882012-02-23T08:53:18.261-05:002012-02-23T08:53:18.261-05:00This is great!This is great!Come At Me Brohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12471756942136977057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8763911471376369172.post-33307731918160063772012-02-23T08:00:12.132-05:002012-02-23T08:00:12.132-05:00I agree with all of your comments Ishta - great cr...I agree with all of your comments Ishta - great critique. This was a strong query to begin with, and with the changes, it will be even better. So Catherine - go on and SUBMIT! :-)Julie Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04477115458570906449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8763911471376369172.post-30622086231044595372012-02-23T05:52:47.137-05:002012-02-23T05:52:47.137-05:00Congrats Ishta on this great concept (I have not s...Congrats Ishta on this great concept (I have not seen a specifically for PB's query critique on the net) Congrats too, to you Catherine, for being brave enough to submit and be the first vict..., I mean, "Author" :) Good luck with the manuscript and the revised query!Christine Tripphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05058419743726981987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8763911471376369172.post-56119805740924282182012-02-23T05:16:42.871-05:002012-02-23T05:16:42.871-05:00Thank you all so much, you've been very helpfu...Thank you all so much, you've been very helpful. I'm so lucky Ishta had this bright idea! Off to perfect my query and send it out again, many thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8763911471376369172.post-72438594907715121222012-02-23T01:29:33.846-05:002012-02-23T01:29:33.846-05:00This was helpful. I didn't know a title needed...This was helpful. I didn't know a title needed to be capitalized nor did I ever think to mention that I take part in a critique group. I want to read this book!Rena J. Traxelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07950062537755234879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8763911471376369172.post-13584947455324156742012-02-22T22:46:59.009-05:002012-02-22T22:46:59.009-05:00I meant to add - you learn something new every day...I meant to add - you learn something new every day!!Peggy Collinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01246416615521396292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8763911471376369172.post-86413339667597484102012-02-22T22:45:50.825-05:002012-02-22T22:45:50.825-05:00Great job you guys - Ishta - this is fantastic. Yo...Great job you guys - Ishta - this is fantastic. You know, I don't pitch often - but I have NEVER used all caps for my titles, I've always used italics. That being said, I've selected my recipients very carefully so I think that helps too - much more likely to get an audience if you know who you want for an audience...Peggy Collinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01246416615521396292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8763911471376369172.post-60919268535704482712012-02-22T19:55:21.371-05:002012-02-22T19:55:21.371-05:00Congrats on your partnership with Matt! How awesom...Congrats on your partnership with Matt! How awesome.<br /><br />Sounds like a great picture Catherine. Even though I'm from Literary Rambles and thank you for mentioning us, I agree with Matt & Ishta that it would be better to quote something from one of the interviews Casey links to. Also agree you should end with a hook. But I love the first sentence. Good luck!Natalie Aguirrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03756087804171246660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8763911471376369172.post-71621963692414420332012-02-22T15:02:51.350-05:002012-02-22T15:02:51.350-05:00Bravo Catherine! We are all rooting for Big Al. ...Bravo Catherine! We are all rooting for Big Al. Lots to learn here, so thank you Ishta and Matthew for embarking on this query polishing quest!Cathy Mealeyhttp://bildebok.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8763911471376369172.post-83924517803585837552012-02-22T13:52:32.954-05:002012-02-22T13:52:32.954-05:00Don't feel qualified to leave comments, but ve...Don't feel qualified to leave comments, but very happy to learn from Ishta and you all. Bravo Catherine, for submitting your query. I love Big Al!Joannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00633484787634197878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8763911471376369172.post-63960950811322121932012-02-22T13:28:34.384-05:002012-02-22T13:28:34.384-05:00I wouldn't mention the critique group.
Also, ...I wouldn't mention the critique group.<br /><br />Also, I've read that many agents/editors want the meat first. i.e. the query should start with the story not the reason for the agent. <br /><br />One agent phrased it something like 'just like your story you need to start with a great hook'<br /><br />I know other agents have different wants, but that's what I do for my queries.<br /><br />I agree with Ishta's comments about emultating the style of the story when talking about it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8763911471376369172.post-72283418988533535032012-02-22T13:21:16.248-05:002012-02-22T13:21:16.248-05:00Wow, thanks so much! I normally do all caps everyw...Wow, thanks so much! I normally do all caps everywhere, it's surprising what you miss. I also usually dive straight into the story. I think that's what you're all saying I ought to do here too. I'm so glad I haven't sent this far yet. Thank you so much Ishta for this fab opportunity and thanks to Matthew and Sarah too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8763911471376369172.post-32495059280602951792012-02-22T13:16:34.946-05:002012-02-22T13:16:34.946-05:00This is an incredibly useful guide to anyone who i...This is an incredibly useful guide to anyone who is writing a story or trying to market one. Thanks.stephen Hayeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17659054447637207734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8763911471376369172.post-54609198573529677342012-02-22T13:05:36.449-05:002012-02-22T13:05:36.449-05:00Definitely ALL CAPS, every time.
Completely agree...Definitely ALL CAPS, every time.<br /><br />Completely agree, don't mention previous submissions.<br /><br />The thing about Literary Rambles (which I too LOVE, and Casey and Natalie are friends of mine) is that it sounds vague. You can mention the write up for almost any agent, but you might have just glanced at it. Try to find something SPECIFIC in the write up you can mention.<br /><br />Agree about dropping the impressive.<br /><br />I've never written a PB, so I don't know about giving away the ending, but Ishta's advice sounds spot on. Maybe the fish isn't new, but the method of catching it is?<br /><br />Otherwise, good stuff!Matthew MacNishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03264738483763244969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8763911471376369172.post-91005107087872019062012-02-22T10:38:17.301-05:002012-02-22T10:38:17.301-05:00Ishta, that's great news! I visit both you an...Ishta, that's great news! I visit both you and Matt from time to time. Your critique is going to be gospel for me because I've never seen a PB query before. <br /><br />My two cents is this: the story is the most important thing. Keep the other bits simple and professional (as Ishta suggested). If I were an agent (I'm not), I'd skip to the story part (the good bit) and I'd be all over it. <br /> <br />It's funny, it features a recognizable animal, there's a problem and a solution. I think my kids would love it too...I can just picture my girls giggling at the sneezing alligator.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11607291218714097810noreply@blogger.com