I was listening to the radio the other day and a Beatles song called Paperback Writer came on. As I was listening to this song, a song I have heard at least a hundred times before, it struck me that this is a perfect bad query letter example! I mean, seriously! So, to prove my point, I put the lyrics in this post. To make it easier to see as a letter, I put it into paragraph form, but the only other change I made was taking out the repetitions of the phrase ‘paperback writer.’
Dear Sir or Madam, will you read my book? It took me
years to write, will you take a look? It’s based on a novel
by a man named Lear and I need a job, so I want to be a
paperback writer.It’s the dirty story of a dirty man and his clinging wife
doesn’t understand. His son is working for the Daily
Mail, it’s a steady job but he wants to be a paperback
writer.It’s a thousand pages, give or take a few, and I’ll be
writing more in a week or two. I can make it longer if
you like the style, I can change it round but I want to be
a paperback writer.If you really like it you can have the rights, it could make
a million for you overnight. If you must return it, you can
send it here but I need a break and I want to be a
paperback writer.Paperback writer.
So, am I right or am I right? 😉
That is a pretty horrible query letter. 🙂 I've been sending out my own lately, and I'm happy to say that they weren't that bad…
That's a good example of a bad query letter! lol
And good luck with the book! I know you'll get an agent soon!
Lol i'm never going to be able to listen to that song again without thinking that!! Not a bad thing either, shows how writing is everywhere!!
I am so annoyed with blogger, this is the second time i've tried to post on this blog, argh. anyhoo – love the post, i will never be able to listen to the beatles in the same way, just shows you writing is everywhere!!
BTW I thought i'd let you know that i've created a forum to coincide with the blog
http://thewriterschronicle.forumotion.net/
Basically its a forum where writers can come and discuss their yays and woes, share advice or discuss the publishing world. I'd love it if you could drop in and have a look (it was only set up yesterday) and maybe let your friends know if they're interested.
thanks
emily
Well, you're right, BUT…
Paul McCartney could write out the phone book and someone would give him a six-figure advance because he's PAUL MCCARTNEY.
… and that's today's example of irony.
Jen, good luck with your queries!! I've been going through that process for a while and geez. It's a never ending gauntlet, I swear. The fun part is commiserating with everyone else suffering through it with you. 😀
THANK YOU, ABBY!!! The vote of confidence is wonderful!!
I'm so glad I could change the way you see the Beatles, Em! LoL! I'll check out the forums, but I'm not on the computer much anymore so I don't know how much I'll have the chance to hang around. It's awesome that you're building something like that, though!
I think I'd be more inclined to buy the phone book if Paul McCartney SANG it, but yeah, you're totally right. HOW UNFAIR IS THAT?! 😉