Haha, not the spy/secret-agent kind of agent…
Where have I been? It’s been three weeks since my last post! I’ve been busy polishing up a mystery novel I’m querying. I’m excited to say that an experienced and talented agent now has my first three chapters in hand. Fingers crossed and all that!
My advice to anyone else just starting the query process
- Know the market. If you don’t have a high-concept, broad-audience novel, what do you have? Would it still suit agent-only but smaller publishers? What are your comps (comparable books on the market) and their publishers?
- Stay engaged on social media.
- Be ready with marketing ideas.
- Synopses take a ridiculously long time to write. Have a short one (say, 1.5 pages, single spaced) and a long one (6 pages) ready.
What’s new on my bookshelf?
I just downloaded two new brand-new releases!
Debbie Johansson’s House of Echoes, the third novella in Johansson’s Australian Gothic horror series:
And
Gwen M. Plano’s Redemption, an inspirational suspense novel:
“Find your best time of the day for writing and write. Don’t let anything else interfere. Afterwards it won’t matter to you that the kitchen is a mess.” — Esther Freud, British novelist.
Feature image by Sander Sammy on unsplash.
Priscilla Bettis 
So exciting!! Congratulations
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Thank you, Gabrielle.:-)
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Very exciting, Priscilla. Fingers crossed you have more good news soon. 😊🎉
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Thank you, Iseult. If I had longer toes, I’d cross them, too!
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Sounds like you’ve been pretty busy! Best of luck with the agent! Plus mystery novel…sounds intriguing! I look forward to hearing more about it! 🙂
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Thanks, Valinora! Oh yes, I love a good mystery novel.:-)
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Congratulations on your exciting news, and everything crossed for you! Great tips for querying 💕🙂🙂
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Thanks, Harmony, and thank you for sharing on Twitter!
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This is so exciting! Good luck Priscilla 😄
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Thanks, Strange, you rock!
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Congratulations 👏
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Thank you, Paula.:-) I hope things on your side of the pond are going well!
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Yes, I’m keeping very well thank you. Busy editing my book for you know who 😉❤
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That’s awesome, Priscilla! I’m wishing you all the best. Fingers crossed for you!
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Thank you, Mae, that means a lot.:-)
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Congratulations, Priscilla. Great advice from the am there, doing this school. Is this a new venue for you or a variation on one of your terror genre efforts? Good luck with your editor and book sale.
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Thanks, Pat! Is is a new venture. I guess I’ll see where it goes!
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Very cool. Good luck.
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Good luck, Priscilla! Fingers crossed and keep us posted.
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Thank you, Olga.:-) Yes, I will keep you all posted!
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How exciting! Best of luck, Priscilla😁
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Thank you, Tammy!
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Congratulations, Priscilla! Wishing you all the best ❤️❤️❤️
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Thank you, Luisa! Have a fabulous rest of your week.:-)
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Likewise Priscilla, likewise 🙂
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Oooo. This is so exciting! Good luck with the work of selling, so different from the work of writing.
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Thanks, Fawn!
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Thanks for this advice, Priscilla. It’s a lot of work to query – I have no experience, but you really have to be fully prepared and polished to do it, don’t you?
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Yup.:-) Thanks for reading and commenting, Barbara!
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Oh and congratulations about the agent – I meant to say that too! 🙂
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Thank you.:-)
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Well those two books will keep you busy as you wait! Best of luck with the submission.
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Thanks, Jacqui.:-)
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Fingers crossed tightly! I have a good feeling you’ll land the agent of your dreams and we’re all going to say we knew you when!
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Such a nice thing to say, thank you, Court!
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Huzzah! I can feel your excitement, Priscilla. Good luck!
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Thank you, Audrey.:-) And thanks for reading and leaving a comment!
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Good luck with obtaining an agent! I agree, writing a synopsis is harder than writing a book.
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Thank you, Darlene!
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Yay! Good luck, Priscilla 🙂
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Thanks, Denise!
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Bravo, Priscilla. Wishing you the very best of luck with this endeavor.
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Thank you, Robbie!
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