Friday, May 20, 2011

The Query--PIVOT POINT

Several of you have asked me what PIVOT POINT is about. I haven't talked about it much on my blog...okay...I haven't talked about it AT ALL on my blog. Call it superstitious. Call it paranoid. But probably the most honest reason is insecurity. In this industry full of rejection, it's easy to start doubting ourselves and our ideas. So I kept this one close. But, since HarperTeen and my lovely editor Sarah Landis think it's pretty great, I thought I could share my query with you.

I loved seeing queries when I was in that stage. So I hope this will help those of you who are querying right now. It will also tell you about my book.

Although I'm tempted to change a few things about it now, I will resist because (aside from the first paragraph) this is the actual query I sent out. Wow. I'm still super nervous. Be kind.

Dear Agent whose name I will spell right,

Here is where I will say something personal about you and why I chose to query you. For example, my amazing agent, Michelle Wolfson, I follow you on twitter and for the last year you have made me laugh while simultaneously informing me how not to catch a mouse and that querying a hundred agents with the same email will save me loads of time. (Because I followed Michelle on twitter, I knew she had a sense of humor and although that's not the exact sentence I used for her in my query, it was something slightly sarcastic.) I am seeking representation for my YA paranormal PIVOT POINT, complete at around 75,000.

When Addison Coleman is faced with a choice, she has the ultimate insurance plan against disaster—the ability to see both outcomes. It may not be as flashy as Telekinesis or Telepathy, but it’s the perfect ability to maintain a suck-free life. Or so she thought. But after her parents ambush her with a divorce announcement and ask her who she wants to live with, she knows either road leads to Anywhere-But-Here.

With her father leaving the paranormal compound to live amongst the masses of underused brains and her mother staying with the gifted in the life she’s always known, both futures seem lacking. It isn’t until she Searches the two possibilities that she realizes how hard the choice really is. And it’s not just because the popular quarterback is interested in her in one life and the troubled artist in the other. When her father, a human lie detector, is assigned as the lead investigator of a murder and her best friend, a mind eraser, becomes involved with a criminal, she learns either path holds the potential for loss. It all comes down to which loss she’s willing to live through.

Reminiscent of the movie “Sliding Doors” the chapters alternate between the two possibilities. The intertwining futures provide the reader with insights the main character can’t see, building tension for when the knowledge of both worlds collide.

I have included (however many pages your website told me to include) below. Thank you for your consideration.

Kasie West

Ah, that brought back memories of the emotional highs and lows of querying. It's a lot of work. Good luck to those in that stage. You can do it. Surround yourself with supportive, helpful friends and never give up.

36 comments:

  1. I adore your premise! I'm a huge fan of anything in the telepathy/mind field, and there isn't enough of it out there!

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  2. Thanks Kasie, and I can understand the success of your sale... you own query sounds uber-interesting!

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  3. What a fantastic query! It sounds like an amazing story, and thank you so much for sharing your query - SO helpful to see on that actually works!

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  4. Oh, that sounds fantastic! I can see why Michelle snapped you up.

    I love the Sliding Doors. Bet I'm going to adore your book, too. :)

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  5. That sounds really cool! Thanks for sharing it. :)

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  6. I'm adding the book to my TBR list. And maybe by the time it comes out, I'll have finished my TBR pile. :D

    Sounds great! Thanks for sharing. I love seeing the queries of books that have landed an agent (and book deal).

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  7. I'm so intrigued, Kasie. That was an awesome query. Congratulations again! :)

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  8. Sounds like a great book, I can't wait until 2012 now.

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  9. SWOON. I LOVE SLIDING DOORS. One of my FAV movies.

    Kasie - this books sound so terrific! What a great query! Thanks for being so encouraging to us in that stage, or coming to it!

    AWESOME.

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  10. This is AWESOME! I love the idea of seeing both possibilities side-by-side! I knew you had written paranormal before but for some reason I figured this one was contemporary. Maybe because you love Sarah Dessen so much. Do I really have to wait 18 months to read this? Just another reason you are my favorite person to pretend to not like.

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  11. So of course I had to go look up what actual first line you used and then I noticed that due to the time differences where we are, I actually responded to your query BEFORE you sent it. How's *that* for response time, people?? GO ME!! Oh, and obviously go you! Good query.
    Also, fyi, everyone, I requested a full from these 5 pages which I NEVER do. In fact, I only recall ever doing that once before.

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  12. Summer, get ready, because I know several "mind power" books coming out next year. It seems we all think of the same thing at the same time. :) And I love them too (obviously) so I'm excited.

    Marty, Thanks. As you well know, it's hard to summarize a book in two paragraphs so I'm glad it sounds interesting.

    Jamie, I'm glad it was helpful. Like I said, I loved reading queries when I was trying to write one.

    Linda, I loved Sliding Doors as well. Thanks for your support.

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  13. Jenilyn, Thanks!

    Stina, sounds like your TBR pile is as tall as mine. :) Good luck getting through it.

    Chantele, thanks so much. I hope you like it.

    Patti, I can't wait either. :)

    Lisa, I love Sliding Doors too! Such a great movie, right?

    Jessie, Yeah, it's weird that my author crush is contemporary and I write paranormal, huh? I'm a closet contemporary writer. :) And........What?!? Here I've been not liking you for real and you're just PRETENDING?? I'm hurt.

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  14. Michelle, Now *I* have to go look at what line I actually wrote you in the query. :) I didn't remember, I just knew I was a little more sarcastic with you than I was with other agents. And actually, the line was fairly close to what I included here. Ha! Good thing you have a sense of humor.

    And, yeah, I was super surprised to see your response TWO hours later. Thanks for believing in me! :) You're the best!

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  15. You know I really LOVE your premise! And now that I got to read more than 140 characters of it, I love it even more! :D I'm really proud of you! :D
    Congrats!!!

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  16. Thanks, Monica, You're awesome! And you know I'm a fan of yours. :)

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  17. FACT: This book is AWESOME.

    Reading the query brought back warm memories. :)

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  18. Great query, great premise. In the best of circumstances, that's all it takes. Congrats once again for finding those exact right circumstances! The sale is well-deserved and I look forward to reading the finished product.

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  19. Can't wait to see it on the shelf! WOOT!!

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  20. I never read this query!! It is super duper good!! Queries are so not my forte (as you well know). I will be depending on your awesome skills to help me represent.

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  21. That sounds very cool, I can't wait to read it!

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  22. I can see why Michelle asked for a full!!!! Can't wait to read this and of course...see your streak!!!! Michelle-I love your agent super powers!!!!!!

    KIm

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  23. Oh, I loved Sliding Doors. Your premise is super intriguing!

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  24. If I had the patience, I'd write "Fabulous!" a million times. Good for you and good for Michelle. Can't wait to buy the book. ;-)))

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  25. I ADORED Sliding Doors, so this should be right up my alley. Also, I had no idea it would be paranormal too!

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  26. For someone who can't make a decision because I am paralyzed by the possibilities, I KNOW I am going to love this book! Congrats again!

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  27. Thanks for sharing! I'm in the query trenches right now so stuff like this is my crack! The books sounds freaking awesome. Seriously. I've always loved the Sliding Doors concept.

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  28. Renee, love ya. :) Thank you so much. I feel the same about your books.

    Brock, I know, sometimes it feels like the heavens have to align in order for things to happen, right? :) Thanks for your kind words.

    Becky, thanks so much.

    Candi, you never read this query?? lol That's funny. And I don't know about my skill level, but you know I'll totally help you with yours.

    Ru, I can't wait either. ;)

    Kimberly, Eeek. My streak. I need to get to work on that. :)

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  29. Corey, thanks. I'm a huge fan of Sliding Doors myself. :)

    Debra, I will consider it written a million times. :) Wow a MILLION? That *would* be a lot of work. Thanks so much.

    Kristan, I know, Paranormal Sliding Doors is the best of both worlds, right? :)

    Ruth, you and Addie will get along then. I hope you like it. :) (In a year or so when it comes out) lol

    Jade, Good luck to you in the trenches. I just crawled out of there so I know it's possible. You can do eet! :) And thanks for your interest!

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  30. Your premise sounds fascinating. Thanks for sharing your query!

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  31. What a terrific query. It's no surprise you gained membership in the famous "Wolf Pack" with it. This isn't the type of book I usually read, but your premise sounds intriguing enough to change my mind. Good luck with it!

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  32. Kasie, your book sounds good! :) Can't wait to read it!

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  33. Ahh, reading queries just gives me a massive case of nerves! Your example sounds great...clearly it was because it landed you a deal:)
    Which by the way is sooo cool! Congrats:)

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  34. Thank you SO much for sharing this! I'm in the process of querying and I LOVE seeing real-live ones that worked and end up in a two-book deal! Congratulations on all the success and thanks so much for the encouragement!

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  35. What a cool premise! Can't wait to read it.

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  36. This is SO fun to see, Kasie! I saw earlier versions and I have to say...

    LOVE THIS!

    No wonder the agents drooled over you! Also, this book is so INCREDIBLE... now everyone can be jealous because I've already read it!!

    Ahem... neener neener.

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