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Hooked! Query letters that piqued an agent's interest - Part 3 of 5
Published: February 11, 2009 | Jason Allen Ashlock, New York literary agent and founder of Movable Type Literary Group, sees opportunity in the publishing industry's changing paradigm. "We're looking for artists who bring a network of connections with them that can benefit our firm and others. Collaboration isn't a buzzword for us—it governs the way we handle all our clients." Author Ronda Carman's query letter illustrates how an author does her homework and finds the right agency. |
 Ronda Carman
Dear Mr. Ashlock:
Diana Vreeland once wrote that few things are more fascinating than the opportunity to see how people live during their private hours. After working for years in the fashion and design industry, interviewing some of the most notable names in their fields, I agree with the legendary Mrs. Vreeland (always a safe bet!). My book project Public Image Private Life, prompted by the success of my international style blog All the Best, captures this fascination. After reading of your success with Roger Moenks' Inheriting Beauty, I believe you'll have interest.
Initially, my daily posts on All the Best included topics ranging from interior design, travel and art to fashion, food and wine. But in July of 2007, I began corresponding with style maven Rita Konig and my blog took an unexpected detour. Rita agreed to an interview and readers responded with great enthusiasm and praise.
The interview was styled as a casual conversation with a friend, rather than hard-hitting journalism, and other interviews soon followed. A few notables include Ivanka Trump, Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti, Miles Redd, Katie Lee Joel, Charlotte Moss and Kelly Wearstler. What began as periodic postings became a favorite feature, and thus the idea for this book was born.
A celebration of those who shape the world through creative endeavors, Public Image Private Life offers a peek into the private lives of renowned designers, artists, entrepreneurs and global tastemakers. Public Image Private Life is a compendium of profiles, recollections and candid photos from each subject's personal albums. Pictures will include life at home, private residences (current, past and childhood), celebrations with family and friends, and special holidays.
Since January 2007, All the Best has continued to grow, and now averages 45,000+ unique visits each month from readers around the globe. It has received media attention from D Home magazine, domino, Elle Decor, PaperCity and several national newspapers.
In addition to writing All the Best, I am a regular contributor and interviewer for Decorati.com. Decorati.com is quickly becoming one of the leading online resources and marketplaces for interior designers. Further, Decorati.com recently entered into a partnership with Vivre and showcases the work of the world's foremost designers.
To date I have confirmed Kelly Wearstler and Brad Korzen, Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti, Charlotte Moss, Alexis Swanson Traina, Kate Schelter, Christopher and Suzanne Sharp, Josephine Sasso and Peter Callahan, Carolina Zapf, Tracy Smith, Michael Devine and Thomas Burak for this project. I am awaiting confirmation from several other high profile individuals.
Please let me know if you would like to see a full synopsis and sample chapter. I look forward to hearing from you.
All the best,
Ronda Carman
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 Jason Allen Ashlock
Ronda writes: My book project Public Image Private Life, prompted by the success of my international style blog All the Best, captures this fascination. After reading of your success with Roger Moenks' Inheriting Beauty, I believe you'll have interest.
Hook: In her first paragraph, Ronda names a book I sold—the mention not a flippant reference. It's a book closely aligned with hers. … My firm's interest is finding authors who are more than their books. We're looking for artists who bring a network of connections with them that can benefit our firm and others. Ronda is obviously a marvelous networker, but she's a passionate proponent not just of a book but of an ongoing conversation with readers and individuals interested in the same ideas and disciplines she is. That is exactly the kind of author-artist that my firm seeks.
Ronda writes: Since January 2007, All the Best has continued to grow, and now averages 45,000+ unique visits each month from readers around the globe. It has received media attention from D Home magazine, domino, Elle Decor, PaperCity and several national newspapers.
In addition to writing All the Best, I am a regular contributor and interviewer for Decorati.com. Decorati.com is quickly becoming one of the leading online resources and marketplaces for interior designers. Further, Decorati.com recently entered into a partnership with Vivre and showcases the work of the world's foremost designers.
Hook: In nonfiction I look for two elements—one provided by the author, and the other built from an agent's experience. First, platform. Many cringe at this word … but the truth remains: To sell a nonfiction property, an agent has to be certain the author is speaking from a position of authority and has constructed or discovered avenues of exposure. Ronda's nearly 50,000 hits a month—to a luxury blog nonetheless—demonstrates her appeal. She's well on her way to establishing her brand. Additionally, her snatching high-profile interviews and features demonstrates she's becoming a recognizable and trusted name among her clients and readers.
The second element is proof of audience. This can be demonstrated in the query. … But it's also something the agent has to be aware of already. That's why it's important for writers to approach agents who handle properties like theirs. Because I handle art/illustrated books, and have worked with fashion and luxury leaders, I knew there was an audience for Ronda's work.
--Posted Feb. 11, 2009 |
Marla Miller
Marla Miller shepherds writers through the publishing process with her Marketing the Muse workshops, which she teaches at several writer conferences throughout the country, and her Web site, www.marketingthemuse.com. Agents are invited to submit a query letter that resulted in representation to marketingthemuse@gmail.com. She is a published author and editor-in-chief of a lifestyle magazine for Newport Beach, Calif. A yenta of sorts, she's introduced many unpublished authors to their literary agents. To submit a query letter that resulted in agent representation, e-mail her at marketingthemuse@gmail.com. |
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