Query Clinic
Some of you know I belong to a private crit circle. We started this group several years ago when I realized a need to critique entire novels instead of chapters. But this group was unique in another way. I invited very special people, writers who not only demonstrated considerable writing talent, but who were exceptional at disseminating and articulating the body of work in front of them. This is not an exaggeration. My CPs are brilliant.
Because we read and critique entire manuscripts, our group remains small. It takes a great deal of work to analyze whole novels. And itās a responsibility each of us takes seriously.
Recently, after I hosted a Follow contest, someone asked if I would critique queries as well as manuscripts. I liked the idea. But there was one minor drawback. Iām not a big fan of critiquing work in public. So I think Iāve come up with an alternative as a gift for followers of this blog. I decided to create a group similar to my existing crit group.
If you would like to have your query reviewed in a confidential environment, I have set up a group that will review queries only. Email me (or leave a comment with your email addy) and I will send you an invitation to join.
This is an invitation-only group. And I will only accept members for a limited time.
There are only a few things I ask in return.
ā¢ Please be a follower of this blog.
ā¢ If you are critted, you must return the favor.
ā¢ This is a private group, which means anything posted there is confidential.
ā¢ Please use your real name (or pseudonym). This way, everyone knows who theyāre dealing with.
ā¢ Queries MUST be carefully proofread. Submit the way you would to a real agent or publisher.
I do encourage you to forge relationships with other people in the group while you're there. Who knows? You could find a future crit partner for your novels after youāve read each otherās query.
I should add that I have no personal agenda. Queries come very easily to me, and while I usually vet them through my CPs, I generally trust my gut and thatās worked out well.
If this query workshop is successful, weāll do it again. If Iām not too busy, we might even open it to synopses later in the year. Weāll see how this one fares and go from there.
So is anyone interested? You can either email me or leave your email in the comments and I will send you an invitation. Please be sure youāre already a follower of this blog because Query Clinic is a private group and a gift to those who follow this blog.
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Greg and I worked our tails off over the weekend dividing pens and finishing up a second chicken enclosure. We're getting ready for the great chicken relocation. With all the sawing and hammering, the chickens were watching the commotion nervously. I don't want to excite them too much because they're laying like crazy. The sooner we move them, the better. I'll try to get some pictures posted on Wednesday.
What did you guys do this weekend?
Comments
Thanks, I had a lovely weekend with Hubby who is off for a week's holiday without me this week! :O) !
I never thought chickens would be skidish.
I spent the weekend reading and quilting.
Darke Conteur: Ref: Chickens
Oh, everything startles them. LOL.
PS Tried to email you on the addy you use on FB. I don't know if it worked.
Ellie: It's never too early to write a query, even if you're not ready yet. It's excellent for disseminating the novel to its base components.
Dru: We've reached the stage where we have to separate by breed so we can sell pure breed chicks.
Iām glad to hear youāll be posting pictures this week. I love seeing pictures of all your animals. Sounds like you had a good weekend. I hung out with my in-laws on Saturday and my own family on Sunday so it was fun.
:-)
Saturday was nice and warm - two basketball games (grandkids, indoors) and saw a good movie, Adjustment Bureau. Sunday, I froze my buns off (oops, guess not, they're still there). Spent the morning helping bail ice cold water out of my younger son's flooding basement and the afternoon sitting on a metal bleacher watchig my grandson (older son's son) lacrosse game. Brrrr. Still quite cold here in Ohio.
Liz: Karma is a good thing.
Joanne: Writing is such a solitary business. It's good to get a little feedback now and again.
Angelina: Got you down. Give me until tonight to send out invitations. I'm away from my home computer right now.
Sandra: Got you down.
Lydia: Join up if you'd like to get some feedback anyway.
Michelle: Got you down.
Misha: With any luck will do it again later.
Linda: Ask away. :)
Don't be shy. If your query isn't perfect, then getting some feedback might be what you need.
Just leave a comment or send me an email if you want to join.
I cooked, I cleaned, and I read this weekend. Boring.
On another subject(sorry) but I'd love it if you'd stop by my blog and join in the discussion with Heather Massey and friends from The Galaxy Express. We are talking about erotic sci-fi romance. Would love to have your input on this! Thanks.
We went and took my sweeties new IPad back to Best Buy, he is going to get the new one ordered on the 11th when the 2nd generation IPad comes out and since will get it from Apple Store have his name engraved on it this time...
We also got my brand new Kindle DX and also a little 7" Pandigital multi media tablet that has all kinds of Internet capabilities as well as allows me to download my PDFS, EPUBS and Barnes and Noble nook books to it's ereader... The 7" tablet will go in my purse when we travel and the Kindle DX will probably stay home to read all my digital review books and my freebies from Amazon that have been on my computer since early 2010..
Also went to see "Unknown" with Liam Neeson yesterday and enjoyed a sunny but chilly weekend!
This weekend was about being sick. Ugh! Almost made it through the winter unscathed.
Kaye: It's still on my reader. I am way behind on my blog hopping. I should get there late tonight or tomorrow.
Jackie: I can't wait to hear about the iPad2. I am so unsophisticated next to you. LOL.
Theresa: Oh, hon. I'm sorry you've been sick. Stay under the covers and get well soon. And if you'd like to try your hand at query writing anyway, drop me a line.
I look forward to the photos of the great chicken relocation. The hens will probably settle down well once they realize they have an upgrade.
Barbara: Good critters are true gifts.
Heather: You?! You work always comes out great!
Charlie: Aw, thanks. I just wanted to give back in some way.