August 11, 2005

Ugh.

Does this sound stupid, incredibly stupid, or outrageously stupid?

Joy McCann

Snail-mail address

August 15, 2005


Ms. Publishing Contact
Boutique New York-Based Publishing House
Los Angeles Outpost

Dear Talent Scout Lady:

You may recall that I met you a few months ago at a publishing industry meeting, wherein you were the featured speaker. I appreciate very much your stopping by to talk to us.

As I mentioned when we all made our initial introductions, IÂ’m working on a mystery novel. Because IÂ’m expecting to finish the first draft in January, IÂ’m sending around a few initial inquiries to a couple of contacts in the book publishing industry. Enclosed are the outline and a few sample chapters. My goal is to combine a murder mystery with a true novel in the tradition of Dorothy L. Sayers: in the process of solving the puzzle, the heroine comes to terms with who she is, and gains some direction in life.

The story takes place in the world of magazine publishing, where IÂ’ve worked since the late 80s. ItÂ’s set primarily in Santa Monica, the town I lived in from the age of 12 to 18.

I’ve had a handful of articles published—mostly in consumer magazines—as well as one poem. I also maintain a weblog, and contribute to one of the most highly ranked blogs, Dean’s World (edited by Dean Esmay).

Sincerely,

Joy McCann

P.S. Kill me. Kill me!

I promised someone that I'd get it onto his desk for review on the 16th, so the real letter will go out within, say, a week after that. Unless I'm lucky and get finished off in a terrorist attack. Or the package gets lost in the mail. Or I vanish in the Bermuda Triangle.

Posted by: Attila at 01:16 AM | Comments (9) | Add Comment
Post contains 291 words, total size 2 kb.

1 It sounds just fine to me. Good luck.

Posted by: Kingslasher at August 11, 2005 09:54 AM (SOfML)

2 I love it! Especially the Kill Me part. That's what I'd call an attention-getter.

Posted by: k at August 11, 2005 04:32 PM (ywZa8)

3 Well, you know: that isn't on the original. But I feel it's implied.

Posted by: Attila Girl at August 11, 2005 05:00 PM (RGWNz)

4 Throw in a couple of anti-Bush slaps and wait for the movie offers.

Posted by: Walter E. Wallis, P.E. at August 11, 2005 09:25 PM (K6i9N)

5 Now if only we could see the winners to your "Name My Business" contest.... That's always implied!

Posted by: Darrell at August 12, 2005 09:31 PM (45pbS)

6 Sorry. I keep forgetting that I have actual readers, so I tend to be a bit irresponsible.

Posted by: Attila Girl at August 13, 2005 12:11 AM (Ud5Hh)

7 Now I'm wondering if Kill Me! is tempting you to put it on the original anyway. Such a risk! but such potential reward! I mean, it's impossible not to notice.

Posted by: k at August 14, 2005 04:06 AM (ywZa8)

8 How exciting! I didn't know you were writing a mystery. The query sounds good. My only question is: are you far enough along--say 80%--to be certain you can deliver the ms by the promised date? If not, you might want to hedge by saying something like "early next year." (This is the voice of experience speaking!)

Posted by: bjgauthor at August 16, 2005 09:06 AM (qvwWk)

9 I'm more like half, so you're probably right. Thanks.

Posted by: Attila Girl at August 16, 2005 01:39 PM (Ud5Hh)

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