Next Up-- Query Competition!!

That's right, it's a competition for the best QUERY! To be judged by two editors at WiDo Publishing, one of whom is the SUBMISSIONS EDITOR.

But before I introduce her, let me congratulate the WINNER of last week's drawing for Like Bees to Honey by Caroline Smailes. It is JESSICA BELL of The Alliterative Allomorph, who won despite some serious odds, against contestants who had 7, even 10 points to her 2. Jessica, email me your address and I'll get it sent out to you.

 LETTUCE     WRITE

 LETTUCE     READ    Congratulations to Jessica Bell for winning Like Bees to Honey.

 LETTUCE     BLOG

 LETTUCE     QUERY    Because a good query is crucial to getting past the gatekeeper. (Hey, I didn't make the rules. Writing & submitting queries is part of the writer's job!)

 LETTUCE     SHARE

 LETTUCE     TWITTER

 LETTUCE     BUY BOOKS

 LETTUCE     REVIEW BOOKS

 LETTUCE     HOLD & ENTER CONTESTS  Name the Contest Winner: A.L. Sonrichsen from The Green Bathtub


Now back to WiDo's submissions editor. Her name is Allie Maldonado, and she is a woman of few words. I should let you know what kind of a judge you'll be facing. Not to frighten anyone off, but these are the ways she often responds to queries:


No.    *refuses to read the sample chapters*   (Doesn't want to see anything more from this person about this story.)

Uh...   *changes subject to talk about her cat*   (Still a rejection. Still won't read submitted chapters.)

We'll see.   *doubtfully opens attachment to read the partial*   (May or may not finish. Pawns it off on other editors.)

It might work.   *opens partial*  (If it meets expectations, might ask for a full, after discussion with other editors.)

I WANT this!    *laughs with delight*   (Request for full quickly dispatched. Screw the other editors.)







I hope Scary Allie hasn't put any of you off from entering, because she won't be the only judge in this competition.

 Nice Karen will be the other one, for balance. Think Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul. (I heart Paula.)

 

Are you ready to rumble?? Here's how it works. You polish your query and email it to submissions@widopublishing.com. Editors Scary Allie and Nice Karen will review each one and determine which entry is the absolute best. It'll be tough to choose the top one from all the awesome queries that I know will be pouring in, but somehow we'll figure it out and come up with a winner by NEXT WEEK.

A Few Simple Rules:

1. Only virgin queries please. None that have already won contests or won contracts or been previously critiqued by a professional.

2. Must be a follower to enter.

3. Must email entry to this address-- submissions@widopublishing.com-- not to me personally.

4. Put in your subject line that it's for this contest. Otherwise you'll get a response in 4-6 weeks.

5. You have through Saturday to submit. Contest closes midnight, July 10. Winner will be announced the following week.


The prize will be a critique review of the first three chapters of your manuscript! (could be the ms you're querying but doesn't have to be)

I realize I may be pushing against the climate right now as so many bloggers are unplugging for summer. But there's got to be lots of hopeful query-writers out there still!! Help me spread the word!

Woo hoo, where are you? Come join the competition! I want to see LOTS of amazing queries!!