Lit Match

This is the second episode in a three-part series of episodes on how to write a query letter. In it, Abigail teaches writers how to write the second paragraph of the query letter, otherwise known as the blurb or back cover copy. 

The back cover copy is the most important section in a query letter. Abigail shares important details writers need to make it stand out, some including:

3 Key Details Needed in Every Back Cover Copy:

***Jessica Faust and James McGowan list and describe these in their awesome Bookends Youtube video. Check out their channel for more amazing writing tips and advice on all things publishing***

James Scott Bell’s 3-Sentence Method to Write a Back Cover:

The Secret: Great to include in your back cover!

Example: Abigail analyzes some back cover copy examples to model how a strong back cover includes the details and strategies discussed in this episode. 

Additional Resources:

In the first episode of a three-part series of episodes on how to write a query letter, Abigail teaches writers how to write the first paragraph of their query letter. To do this, she covers important elements like:

Plus! Abigail offers a free critique of the first paragraph to the first 10 writers only. Details on how to submit to Abigail and other examples and resources in this episode below:

I WANT A CHANCE AT ABIGAIL’S FREE CRITIQUE! Here’s what to do:

***If you are not one of the first ten writers to email Abigail in the requested format, you may not get a response.*** 

FIRST PARAGRAPH EXAMPLE

Dear AGENT’S NAME,

I saw on Twitter that you love [SOMETHING THEY’VE SHARED PUBLICLY] and think you’d enjoy my book [YOUR BOOK IN ALL CAPS]. It is a [WORD COUNT and GENRE] that [SHORT LOGLINE] [OR] would entertain readers of [TWO COMPS THAT SHOW YOU UNDERSTAND YOUR GENRE AND ARE SOMETHING THE AGENT WOULD REPRESENT + BE ABLE TO SELL]. 

Additional Resources:

We're back with book three!

Abigail sits down with certified editor and book coach Savannah Gilbo to discuss and analyze the first chapter of HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN.

Following the normal first chapter analysis format, Abigail and Savannah discuss how the first chapter in POA sets up expectations for the big picture story using Paula Munier's seven key first chapter questions (THE WRITER'S GUIDE TO BEGINNINGS). They take a special look at how Harry's balance of internal feelings and how he interacts with his surroundings excite readers despite the lack of action. 

Abigail and Savannah then zero-in on the small picture and break down the first chapter of POA with the five commandments (Story Grid). They also nerd out about their love for JKR's mastery of red herrings and set ups that continually awe and surprise the reader, even if it's their umpteenth time reading it.

What do you think makes up the first scene in POA? If you don't remember it, feel free to read the first chapter of POA—and then join us for this lively conversation. 

 P.S. Don't miss out on Savannah's amazing podcast for writers: FICTION WRITING MADE EASY

Connect with us:

Twitter: @abigailkperry @savannahgilbo

Instagram: @abigailkperry | @savannah.gilbo

Website: www.abigailkperry.com  | https://www.savannahgilbo.com/

Welcome to the first Quick Query Tips episode!

While Abigail books more literary agents and editors for the show, she turns the focus from interviews with literary agents to the research and submission process. 

In this episode, Abigail shares three of her favorite and strategic ways to research literary agents. This is a very hands-on episode as Abigail shares how she researches literary agents, editors, and authors for the show.

Although the spreadsheet she uses is slightly different than what she recommends a writer use (see her episode with Tee Moore for more details on the ideal spreadsheet for the research process), the strategies are the same. To demonstrate, Abigail uses the three strategies to find literary agents she wants to email *live*—and pushes writers to question why a literary agent would be a good fit for their querying book and writing and publishing career. 

You can find the links for some off the three recommended strategies here:

We're back! 

Abigail sits down with Savannah Gilbo to discuss and analyze the first chapter of HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS.

This is an especially interesting conversation on first chapters since the first chapter of HPCOS is also the first chapter in the sequel to middle grade fantasy phenomenon, HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE.

In it, they discuss the big picture for HPCOS using Paula Munier's seven key questions to analyze a first chapter—shortly followed by a debate: Does the the story event in the first chapter of COS work as a scene or a beat? And if it's a beat, does it take two chapters to cover the first scene in HPCOS?

This episode is a testament to why discussions about how a story (and a first chapter!) works are so important—by sharing our different perspectives, we continue to grow as writers, editors, publishers, literary agents, and storytellers. 

What do you think makes up the first scene in HPCOS? If you don't remember, feel free to read the first two chapters of HPCOS, and then join us in this lively conversation.  

P.S. Don't miss out on Savannah's amazing podcast for writers: FICTION WRITING MADE EASY

Savannah provides a wealth of knowledge and practical tips on writing every week. 

LISTEN HERE: https://www.savannahgilbo.com/podcast

Connect with us:

Twitter: @abigailkperry @savannahgilbo

Instagram: @abigailkperry | @savannah.gilbo

Website: www.abigailkperry.com  | https://www.savannahgilbo.com/

"Working with a book coach is an investment, and there's no guarantee. No book coach is going to say, ‘I guarantee that you will get an agent and a book deal.’ That would be dishonest. They can't do that. So you're paying money to give yourself the best shot.” – Jennie Nash, Book Coach and Founder of Author Accelerator 

Abigail K. Perry sits down with leading book coach and the founder of Author Accelerator, Jennie Nash. Together they discuss what exactly a book coach is, when a writer should hire one, and why a writer can benefit from investing in a book coach before they finish their first draft. Jennie sheds light on some systems she has used to help writers land major New York agents and hit the bestseller list—and why they work. She also shares some of the inside questions and strategies she uses to mentor writers during the writing process—and even after it—and some new developments happening through Author Accelerator.

Jennie also talks about the upcoming Manuscript Incubator for writers. She's honest about what it entails and what to expect, and shares details that can help a writer decide if it's for them or not. 

Read the Books in this Episode:

Blueprint for a Nonfiction Book (and Jennie’s other books) 

Find us: 

Twitter: @abigailkperry | @jennienash

Instagram: @abigailkperry | @jennienashbookcoach

Website: www.abigailkperry.com  | www.jennienash.com | www.authoraccelerator.com

"I love books that sort of  take you through the pain of living in some way. Life inherently has tragedy and hardship. And I love books that take you to that, but also give you an opportunity to see a way out and to see hope in even dark places."  – Michelle Brower, Literary Agent at Trellis Literary Management 

Abigail K. Perry sits down with literary agent and co-founder of Trellis Literary Management, Michelle Brower. Together they discuss how Michelle and her co-founders formed Trellis (and in a pandemic, no less!), and why they are determined to create a great sense of community and encourage cross pollination within it. 

Michelle also shares invaluable writing tips on the craft, some including: ways to test out your POV, what makes a great book club pick (and the kind of book club picks on her list!), and strategies writers can use to write through the middle of their book.  

As always, Michelle shares her #MSWL — with comps!     

Read the Book(s) in this Episode:

The Collected Regrets of Clover

Find Us: 

Twitter: @abigailkperry | @michellebrower

Instagram: @abigailkperry | 

Website: www.abigailkperry.com  | https://www.trellisliterary.com/michelle-brower 

QUICK NOTE! THE BOOK VS. THE AUTHOR

As much as I love the HARRY POTTER series, I am saddened by and do not condone JKR’s attacks on the trans community. 

It’s this reason that, for these first chapter episodes featuring the Harry Potter books, I choose to separate my love for the books from the author’s public actions. 

I decided to do this because the series has taught me indispensable lessons about great storytelling, and I believe such examples can also benefit burgeoning writers. 

However, if you aren’t comfortable separating the books from the author, you are welcome to pass over this episode without judgement. I do not want anyone here to ever feel unwelcome, and I respect and understand your decision.

EPISODE DISCUSSION

Abigail sits down with certified book coach and editor—and fellow Harry Potter nerd and superfan!—Savannah Gilbo to discuss and analyze the first chapter of HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE.

To do this, Abigail and Savannah share their thoughts on how the first chapter, divided into two scenes, sets up expectations and engages its target readers. Abigail and Savannah use the seven key first chapter questions to review the story’s big picture, and then zero-in on the scene structure and compare their notes on each scene’s five commandments.  

Although writers should never use the Harry Potter series as a comp, there’s a lot to learn from how the books skillfully tell and execute story.

Don't miss out on Savannah's amazing podcast for writers: FICTION WRITING MADE EASY

Savannah provides a wealth of knowledge and practical tips on writing every week. If you want to improve your craft on writing, subscribe to Fiction Made Easy today! 

HERE: https://www.savannahgilbo.com/podcast

Find us:

Twitter: @abigailkperry @savannahgilbo

Instagram: @abigailkperry | @savannah.gilbo

Website: www.abigailkperry.com  | https://www.savannahgilbo.com/

"I'm becoming more intentional about my dreams because my purpose didn't just die when I became a mom,  it actually became more realized. Being a mom was just part of my purpose. It's part of the path. I meant to be a mother to these three kids, but I'm also meant to write these stories.”  – Tee Moore, Author 

Abigail K. Perry sits down with author Tee Moore (rep. by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black, Andrea Brown Literary Agency) to discuss her writer’s journey turned life as a career author and how to find a literary agent. Tee shares important questions writers should ask themselves before they query a literary agent, and how to determine if a literary agent is the best fit for you and your professional writing career.   

Tee also emphasizes the importance of building a writing community, and suggests ways to find your own. She also advocates for big dreams and encourages writers, especially writers who are also parents, that they can (and suggest ways to) do it all.  

Tee’s Books:

Tee’s Agent:

Jemiscoe Chambers-Black of Andrea Brown Literary Agency

Find us: 

Twitter: @abigailkperry @TanisiaTeeMoore 

Instagram: @abigailkperry | @tee_moore_writes

Website: www.abigailkperry.com  | https://tanisiamoore.com

"I'm here to answer any questions and help create a strong positioning for the work. Whether that means, figuring out how the creator needs to receive feedback, that they can best process the information or adjusting to their communication style so that they can process the information that's what I'm here to do."  – Stephanie Winter, P.S. Literary Agency 

Abigail K. Perry sits down with Stephanie Winter to discuss her manuscript wishlist with a special focus on millennial fiction. Stephanie also shares how she sees voice and style as different elements in storytelling, and explains in detail how to recognize and develop each. Stephanie then explains what she looks for in the first pages of a book and how she enjoys manuscripts that ground her in character through action.

Additionally, Stephanie sheds light on how she works as an editorial agent, what makes her unique as an agent, what an associate literary agent is, and how literary agents commonly work with editors—plus more!

Stephanie’s MSWL:

Fiction: Action/Adventure, Children's, Commercial, Family Saga, General, Graphic Novel, Humor, LGBTQ, Middle Grade, Mystery, New Adult, Romance, Thriller, Women’s Fiction, Young Adult

Non-Fiction: Crafts/DIY, Humor, Journalism, LGBTQ, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Travel

Favorite sub-genres: Contemporary Romance, Fashion, Feminism, Illustrated, Magical Realism, Multicultural, Multiple POV, Pop Psychology, Psychological Thrillers, Relationships, Self-help, Social Issues, Speculative Fiction, Suspense, Upmarket Women's Fiction, upmarket genre fiction

Find us: 

Twitter: @abigailkperry @readbystephanie 

Instagram: @abigailkperry | @readbystephanie 

Website: www.abigailkperry.com  | https://www.psliterary.com/who-we-are/ 

Read the books discussed in this episode:

Grady Hendrix books

Courtney Summers books 

People We Meet on Vacation 

Self Care

The Herd

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me

And NEW RELEASES represented by Stephanie:

The Embroidered Closet

The Case or Cancel Culture