The comments from my beta-readers give me goosebumps.

“I hated to have it end. … hated to let go of all the characters…. I will miss them.”

If I never get any further, I’ve already done what any author hopes to do, right? I’ve engaged a reader with my characters. But that’s not enough. Not yet. Not until I’ve queried my little fingers to the bone.

A Google search renders pages and pages of advice on writing the dreaded query letter. Bless all the literary agents who’ve dispersed valuable advice–to their benefit as well, I suppose, since the suggestions provided might improve the quality of the queries they receive.

I navigated through the sites, finding a good deal of repetitive information until… eureka! I hooked the QueryShark! The site is refreshingly different and absolutely indispensable.

If you’re an aspiring author at the query stage, read the archives at QueryShark.com. Eleven year’s worth… ELEVEN years!  While I was unsure whether I would submit a query for review on the site, I read every word as if that were my intention.  I took copious notes. It can’t hurt.  I drafted no less than seven versions of my query as I read through the site. Did it help? Time will tell if it’s time well invested. Already six years in writing THE LAST ARIA, I’m not prone to cutting corners now. If you’re having trouble with that pesky query letter, check out the site. 

Next on the checklist: the synopsis, the query letter’s evil stepsister.

Silly me, I thought I was done with my homework.