Thursday, April 21, 2011

Michael Gettel-Gilmartin's Current Query

Today and tomorrow I'm going to be trying to help my buddy, Michael G-G, with his query. Today is just for introductions, so before we get started, please visit Michael's writing blog: The Year of Writing Dangerously, and his Middle Grade blog: Middle Grade Mafioso, follow them both, and then come back.

. . .

I'm serious. Go do it.

Now that you're back, here's Mike's query:

Dear (Name of Agent),

A ghost is on the loose. That’s twelve-year-old Jared Hearne’s explanation for the recent feeling that invisible eyes are boring into the back of his skull. But when he tries to snare the spook, he surprises a glamorous woman preening in front of the bathroom mirror. Even weirder, after Jared’s yells rouse his parents, the person who shuffles out of the bathroom isn’t some willowy red-head but his older sister, Athena. Now everyone thinks Jared’s delusional. He’s out to prove them wrong.

First, he has to solve the mystery of what Athena’s up to. Is there a connection between the mysterious disappearing woman and the golden orb he spotted tucked away in Athena’s pocket? Sneaking into her room, Jared steals the orb and discovers its secret: the power to allow people to shape-shift and travel through time, as well as pick up communications from the past. Such as the voice of a teenage Shakespeare, pleading to be rescued from execution.

Jared and Athena zip to Elizabeth England and spring Shakespeare from his cell. But talk about a comedy of errors. Shakespeare hijacks the orb and returns to modern times with Jared, leaving Athena stranded in the sixteenth century. Eager to experience his brave new world, the Bard-Dude goes on the lam. He “borrows” the high school quarterback’s Mustang and ends up in a tournament at Laser Tag World. Jared gives chase, desperate to herd the problematic poet back to 1582. Until, that is, the orb is stolen.

Now Jared has a new mission: to hunt down the thief. Or else, Shakespeare’s enrolling in high school next semester. And Athena’s history.

SHAKESPEARE ON THE LAM, a middle-grade adventure, is complete at 35,000 words. I am a member of SCBWI and would be happy to send the complete manuscript at your request.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Michael Gettel-Gilmartin
[Contact Details]

Please save your thoughts for tomorrow, as I won't be giving Mike my feedback until then either, and I don't want any of you ruining it. But do say hi in the comments, and tell him how brave he is for putting himself out there. Thanks!

25 comments:

Anne Gallagher said...

Interesting idea. I'll save my comments until tomorrow.

Robyn Lucas said...

Packed full of adventure, for sure. Sounds like an interesting concept.

Sarah said...

Hahaha! This query made me smile, big time. Mike, I know you're going to get some really useful feedback that's going to make this even better, but it sounds like a totally charming story!

Jessica Bell said...

Sounds interesting! He had me at 'Athena'. Gotta love the Greek name! :o)

Sarah Ahiers said...

ooh i'll def be back tomorrow since i have some good thoughts on this.
Also, i LOVE that this is a MG query - i hardly ever see any of them

Jess said...

Wow, this sounds great! See you tomorrow :)

Old Kitty said...

Shakespeare in modern day America!! Sounds like fun!!

Take care
x

Bish Denham said...

Okay this definitely sounds like something I'd like to read!

Talli Roland said...

Hi Mike - and yes, you are brave; well done. I'll try to remember to come by tomorrow!

Michael G-G said...

Wow, guys. Thanks for the comments, the support, and the blog-following. I've got cupcakes over at the main blog, and I can see I'm going to have to call in reinforcement bakers, such is the power of the QQQE!

Matt, you rock! And so do the rest of you who do so much to help other writers on this blog.

Now, back to the baking!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I'll be back!

Huntress said...

Ditto what Alex said.

Tracey Neithercott said...

Thanks, Mike, for sharing the query.

I'll be back tomorrow!

Renae said...

Sounds like an interesting concept. Thanks for sharing!

Chris Phillips said...

Thanks for sharing. I can't wait to see the suggestions.

Lisa Gail Green said...

Ooooh, GO MIKE!! Putting yourself out there is NOT easy, but I think it's awesome that you did! I shall try to return tomorrow and give my thoughts.

Anita said...

So hard to keep my mouth shut, but okay. Hi, Mike! You're brave! :)

Robyn Campbell said...

I gotta read this book! And the title is awesome. I shall return tomorrow to share what little I know about this querying thang we all have to do.

Hi Mike, you are a brave and courageous soul.

BTW MacNish, I followed Mike's blogs. From what I read, both blogs are absotootly fantastic.

See you tomorrow. :-) *makes mental note to visit MacNish on Friday*

Lenny Lee said...

hi mr matthew! im thinking i could love that book. i loooove neat adventure stories and for sure i love magic and time transport and stuff like that. i could wanna see what you say for that query so im gonna come back tomorrow.
...hugs from lenny
ps im gonna go visit mr mikes mg blog

M Pax said...

I'll be back, too. Went and bumped into Michael.

Natalie Aguirre said...

Thanks for sharing your query. It's great to read a middle grade query.

Donea Lee said...

Thanks for sharing your query, Mike. I think this sounds fantastic! :)

Author Joshua Hoyt said...

Good luck it is so hard to take this step but so empowering at the same time. Thanks for sharing the query.

Suzie F. said...

Love this Mike! Sounds like you have quite the MG adventure. Be back later with my thoughts on your query.

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