Query Time Again

April 11, 2012 by meredithmansfield

I’m always more nervous when I start querying a new story. Not as nervous as the very first time I started querying, but much more nervous, or is it anxious, than when I’ve been querying the same story for a while.

I started querying FIRE AND EARTH (formerly known as SEVEN STARS) a week ago. I’ve sent out six queries so far. I already have a couple of form rejections racked up, too.

Here’s the query:

Now that she’s lost it and gone berserk, seventeen-year-old Casora is doubly cursed and there’s no going back.

Born with the mark of the berserker, she’s been sent away to learn war craft. Those skills are no use when her home is invaded while she’s far away. She turns mercenary, leading a band of teenage warriors looking for the chance to avenge themselves on the marauders.

What she really wants is to find a cure for the curse so she can go home. When she prays for an answer, she’s told to rescue the youngest prince to find what she needs.

Tiaran, third prince of a neighboring kingdom, is considered more a scholar than a warrior, but he’s determined to fight for his home. When the raiders attack, he’s trapped on the wrong side of the city walls. Casora and her band are sent to rescue him. With the capital city now besieged, there’s no option but to keep him with them and teach him to be a warrior.

But Tiaran has something to teach them, too. It’s just possible that Tiaran and Casora may be the answer to each others’ prayers.

FIRE AND EARTH is a 76,000-word young adult fantasy. Readers who liked Kristin Cashore’s GRACELING will enjoy FIRE AND EARTH. I have included the first three chapters per the instructions on your website.

Thank you for your time.

Fingers crossed for the four queries that are still out and for the queries I plan to send out in the coming weeks.

If this one doesn’t work–get me at least a partial request–after a few more tries, I’ll have to go back to the drawing board and try to revise or rewrite the query. That’s the way this process goes.

In other news, Mary Robinette Kowal published this terrific guest post on writing sequels. I just wish some of those points were more adaptable to my sequels to either BLOOD WILL TELL or MAGIC’S FOOL. I’m definitely going to have to put some thought into how I could incorporate at least some ot those tips.