Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Shauna Kelley's Current Query

Thanks so much for your support on yesterday's post, everyone. If you missed it, you can find it, here. Now, let's get back into the swing of things. Do you all know Shauna Kelley? If not, please go visit her blog, and become a follower.

Now here's her query:

Dear Fiction Editor:

I respectively submit for you review Don’t Wake Up, a 52,000 word literary fiction novel.

Told from the perspective of Gillian, a plain, middle-aged woman, this story opens as she sits by the side of her comatose husband’s bed. As doctors and nurses rush to assure her that Ricky will recover well from this mysterious fall, Gillian muses over the years of cold silence and manipulation that have overshadowed their marriage, and her life.

While Gillian guiltily reveals that she hopes Ricky remains in his coma and leaves her to a delightfully empty house, his eyes open to reveal a man who claims to remember nothing of his former self. Gillian, convinced that this is only a furthering of the manipulations and cruel mind games that have filled most of her life, seeks to test this new Ricky. She invents a family they never had, and fills his head with stories of an imaginary life.

My first book was published by Lucky Press in late 2010. I've received a very warm reception in the market, and some great reviews to start with, including being named a finalist in the ForeWord Book of the Year Awards.

I am hopeful that this book will be of interest to your press, and am very excited and anxious to hear your response and feedback. I am including a synopsis and sample chapter below. Please do let me know if there is any other information I can provide.

Sincerely,

Shauna Kelley

That's it.

Please save your feedback for tomorrow, and thank Shauna for her courage in the comments.

19 comments:

Sarah said...

I am now following Shauna, and will try to get back here tomorrow to offer some feedback!

ShaunaKelleyWrites said...

Thanks for posting, Matt! I am excited to see everyone's comments.

Rebecca said...

will be back

farawayeyes said...

Hi Shauna, thanks for sharing. Interesting premise,something different(what an opportunity for Gillian that is.)I'll be back tomorrow to see what the 'master' has to say, but I would definitely read this book.

Katie O'Sullivan said...

Thanks for sharing your quiery with us - I'll be back to see the feedback you get!

A Daft Scots Lass said...

My name sake

Misha Gerrick said...

Will be back tomorrow. I'm about to write my own query, so I'm trying to soak up as much information about doing it right as possible.

:-)

Jessica Bell said...

Go Shauna! :) Looking forward to see what Matt says about this!

DL Hammons said...

I've visited Shauna's blog and I'm curious to see what Matt has in store for her tomorrow. :)

JE said...

I have something to say!! I. Will. Be. Back.

~JD

Nancy Thompson said...

I know Shauna! I'll be back tomorrow. I think I know where the comments will go on this one.

Jessica Bell said...

I have to say to commenters, being a literary author myself, to be careful when considering this one. Literary fiction is a whole other kettle of fish when it comes to plot, which makes it REALLY difficult to craft a perfect query. Trust me. I've been there. :o)

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

Hello Shauna! Nice meeting you.

Christina Lee said...

Shauna, this is so intriguing!!! *waves*

Jess said...

Hi Shauna! Thanks for putting your query up :)

Matt~ I just read your Beastie Boys post...thanks for that :)

Theresa Milstein said...

I've heard to put the book name, word count, and genre at the bottom of the query. I like the voice and premise in this query. But I think the first paragraph has too much detail about a very small part of the book. I'd like to see it shrunk, so there's more room for plot/character as the story develops.

Sarah Ahiers said...

same bat time. same bat channel

M Pax said...

Hi Shauna. Let me know when the book comes out. I'd love to read it. Haven't read much literary lately & miss is. This sounds good.

Ciara said...

Hi, Shauna. It's a pleasure. I'll pop over to your blog to say hi.