A Domestic Diva Mystery Information for Aspiring Writers

		Getting Started The best advice I can give a new writer is to join a writing group in your genre. Aside from not feeling so alone, you won't be reinventing the wheel. Learn from other writers. Publishing is an unusual business and there are pitfalls you will want to avoid. In the mystery genre, the big groups are: • Sisters in Crime • Mystery Writers of America • International Thriller Writers Look for a critique group of other writers in your sub-genre. It's so helpful to have fresh eyes read your work. Stay open to different opinions. You don't have to do everything they suggest but if more than one person has a problem with a particular issue, that's a strong signal that you need to take another look. Finding An Agent My favorite sources for agent hunting -- AgentQuery Publisher's Marketplace Guide To Book Publishers, Editors & Literary Agents by Jeff Herman	Questions Have a question about writing or getting agents? Email me! I'll post selected questions and answers here. Send a question by clicking here. 1. I have a great idea for a mystery. Do I have to write it first or can I approach an agent before it's written? If paparazzi chase you, go ahead and contact an agent. The rest of us mortals have to write the book first. *** 2. What font am I supposed to use? Write your manuscript in 12 point Courier or Times New Roman. *** 3. Is it true that I'm supposed to send my manuscript pages to agents in a big unbound pile? That doesn't seem right. It is true. Send requested manuscripts as loose pages secured by a rubber band. Never send a manuscript that has not been requested by an agent.
		Writing Queries The key word here is "short". A query shouldn't exceed one page. And that's one page with standard margins and a 12 point font! Obviously, that doesn't leave a lot of room so focus on the description of your manuscript. Divide your query into four sections. • Tell the agent why you are writing to him or her. Did you meet? Does he/she represent your favorite author? • Describe your manuscript. Remember you are selling it to the agent. Present your manuscript in a irrisistible must-read way, like the description on the back of a paperback. • Include any relevant information about yourself. Are you a professional chef like your protagonist? Have you been published before? • Thank the agent. Not so bad, huh? Do Not! • Do not pitch more than one manuscript in a query. • Do not suggest an agent visit your website to see your writing. They won't. • Do not send your query to "Dear Agent". Sorry, there are no shortcuts. Do your homework and address your query to a specific agent. • Do not send other material UNLESS the agent's website says to send something besides a query. • Do not send queries to agents whom you haven't researched. Be sure the agent represents books like your manuscript.	GUPPIES! The Guppies are a chapter of Sisters In Crime specifically for unpublished writers. Quite a few are now published but we love the gang so much we don't want to leave. If you're writing mysteries, this is the place to make friends, commiserate, celebrate and learn. Find an on-line critique group, look for an agent, discuss writing and have fun. Click here to learn more or join.