In memoriam of Leonard Stern, creator of the Mad Lib, who passed away earlier this summer.
Warning: Using any query resulted from this exercise may result in having your ass handed to you.
When (main character) accidentally (verb), he/she (verb) a (catastrophe).
Every (age) year-old boy/girl (dreams/wishes/hopes) for a chance to prove he/she is (adjective), but (main character) (dreams/hopes/wishes) for the (opposite characteristic). That is until (adjective) (love interest) shows up in (place). Suddenly he/she is drawn into (conspiracy), and he/she might not just have to catch (love interest)'s eye, but save his/her life. Because only (main character) has the (special ability) that can save not only (love interest) but the world.
I have always dreamed of being a writer, but I currently work as (soul-crushing profession). In college, I studied (Major - probably English), and I am a member of (organization to which you pay dues).
(Title) is a YA (subgenre) complete at (number) words.
The complete manuscript is available at your request, and I will be hitting refresh on my inbox every five seconds after I finally send this.
Best,
(Your name)
Ohh, I know why my queries sometimes don't work! They're missing that last line. I may tweak it--"I will be hitting refresh on my inbox every three seconds after I finally send this." Thank you sooooo much! I'm off to requery everyone!
ReplyDeleteHaha :) I love posts like this.
You forgot to add:
ReplyDelete"I'm the god-child of Stephanie Meyer and JK Rowling and Susan Collin' love child"
Great post. Useful template for the bones of a query. But don't forget to add your own voice and style.
Fun! I KNOW I'll get an agent in no time with this! ;-)
ReplyDeleteYou missed the bit of "Meyer/Rowling said about de book (fantastic/couldn't put it down/indredible)" xDDDDD
ReplyDeleteGreat post ^^
Brilliant. Love it. Perhaps you could do a workshop...
ReplyDelete