AgentQuery Connect Moves

If you haven’t heard the news, the ‘connect’ part of AgentQuery has moved to a new location! (The connect part is where all the aspiring writers hang out and talk writing. It’s also where we have online chats with agents and authors from time to time.)

Here’s the new link: www.agentqueryconnect.com

The old site www.agentquery.com with that wonderful literary agent database is still there at its old address, it’s just the discussion boards that have moved.

If you have been thinking of joining us, but haven’t, now’s the time!

Check it Out: If God Was One of Us (A Writer)

Over on AgentQuery Connect, Robb Grindstaff (wonderful, talent, and humourous Robb–who is definitely going to make it as a published novelist) has posted a little scenario of what it might look like if God were a writer trying to get published. It’s a fun little something to make you laugh on a lovely Sunday morning. Here’s the link.

Enjoy!

Book Discussion: The Road

The Road by Cormac McCarthy has been getting a lot of tongue wagging time over on the Agent Query Connect area lately, so I have suggested that anyone wanting to discuss this novel to join in the discussion thread on March 22nd.

Have you read it?

Do you want to read it?

Join us! It’s free and fun.

It is definitely a book that will get people talking.

A little bit about the book: Set in post apocalyptic U.S.A, a father and son walk towards the coast where they hope to find people, food and sunshine. The countryside is dangerous, burned, freezing, dark, and dead. They slug through weeks of hunger, illness, bandits and close calls as they struggle to reach their destination.

And yes, it is a bit dark and depressing, however the story pulls you forward despite discrepancies (such as thunder storms when it is ‘cold enough to crack rocks’). There is something chilling, yet compelling.

A Writers Chit-Chat…Tonight!

Hey, are you a writer? Do you want to chat with other writers about writing, life, while enjoying some virtual eggnog and rum?

You do? Excellent. Join me tonight on AgentQuery.com in the open chatroom. I’ll be bringing eggnog and rum, a few munchies, and we’ll be discussing backstory and show vs. tell for about an hour and a half. (Or until people get too tired and sneak off to bed.)

Who: You and other writers.

What: We will discuss backstory and showing vs. telling. I can also guarantee that there will be general schmoozing and goofball antics to keep you entertained.

Where: In the open chat room on AgentQuery.com.

When: At 9:30 pm Eastern. On the left coast, that would be 6:30 pm. Tonight. (It’s okay to drop in late. We’ll save you some eggnog.)

Why: Because sometimes writing can be lonely and there is nothing like a real-time discussion to figure things out, share advice and tips and general support.

How: You will need to be an AQ member (that’s free) and log in and follow this chat room link. Once inside the chat room, click in your text box and begin typing. To send a message, hit ‘enter’ on your keyboard. Or, you can lurk, too. We don’t mind. BigBlackCat has agreed to create and post some of the transcripts from the chat on AQ by tomorrow, so if you miss out, you can check those out (you don’t need to be a member to view those). There is more discussion about the chat here.

I’ll be serving as tonight’s moderator. So, if you have any questions, let me know!

Online Chat With Literary Agent Michelle Brower

That was a fantastic chat over on Agent Query with literary agent Michelle Brower. It was nice, homey and cozy. As chat moderator there wasn’t any juggling cats, turtles or even anything flaming last night. Just straight forward good ol’ information about queries, genres, young writers, older writers, killer titles and so much more. Yeah, you missed it. But yes, you can check out the transcripts right here.

Half the scoop: Yes, you need to polish your writing before getting it out there. Generally the setting can distinguish the genre, but many some twists on a story such as a story set in elfland, NOT being about elves would be good. (The ideas are endless when you think like that! Wahoo!) Some titles rock more than others and yes, a killer title can help set your query apart. Yes, Michelle likes the one sentence hook, but definitely the story hook to be obvious in your query. There was so much great info, you need to read the transcripts yourself. It won’t take long and I promise you will learn a lot.

And did you know that landing an agent and getting the book sold and printed can be compared to having a baby? I kid you not. (Another reason to check out the transcript–I wouldn’t want to spoil the reason for the comparison for you. It surprised me. It might surprise you too.)

Michelle Brower, literary agent with Wendy Sherman Associates.

(A big thanks to Michelle for spending time with us over on AQ.)

Michelle is also blogging over at her agency website. Go check it out.