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Lane, I hope you're OK in the firestorm of L.A. right now! It's devastating watching it from the frozen tundra of the East coast. As for the query, I think if the grandfather dies unexpectedly, then the grandson can discover that there's a problem with time. And then, he has to piece together clues from the grandfather's notebooks, or something. I'd read it, tho. For AMA's, December's is on the 31st, so maybe change it to that Tuesday? Hope you and the doggos are all safe!

I think this episode was The One Where Lane Hates "Friends." If you want to create engagement and rage-bait viewers, put that in the title! You were prolly thinking "single ladies" because of Beyonce, which is a record-scratch moment to insert the real title. As for the novel, does it lead up to present day? Because then it's about nostalgia and regrets. Ooh! Sounds like a Jane Austen novel. The point of being set in the 90's is that the time has passed--but then, perhaps there's a renewed optimism and hope of new beginnings at the later part of life 30 years later when it feels like it's over? And then open the target audience beyond sororities to college life in general in the 90's. Simpler days of no cell phones or internet, but also no bottomless pit student loans. And that token person who hated "Friends." Personally, I'm a diehard Seinfeld fan, so . . . . 🙂

Realizing this is 4 months old . . . what about LinkedIn? What if an author has a substantial career in another field (one that demonstrates creativity, expertise, leadership, etc.) It isn't writing. As a first-time author (querying a completed manuscript) should one create an entirely different online presence?

Lane said, "Who wants to go to a work camp?!" with the enthusiasm of "Who wants to go for ice cream?!" I could imagine saying, "Meeeee!" 🙂 But not really my genre. A plug for Ann's book: Smart, funny, relatable with LOL moments and it's worth it just for the rant on KALE! It had me jumping through the different times (and no spoilers) but that proposal! GENIUS. 🙂

Why wasn't this put on Patreon first?

God's work is being done here. Thanks so much.

This was very helpful information. Especially the information about the non-fiction book proposal process. Thank you for sharing!

Enjoyed this very much! Thank you for the insights. Ie. scrapping the 'waking up' scene!

Kitten shout-out! 😻

Amazing use of alliteration, at least.

lol never seen anyone chug coffee like Lane does.

10:07 lmaoo you know damn well I am😂 now on to revise my query!!

Very helpful! Thanks for sharing your insights on MFA programs.

My take-away is COZY--but I like Cozy Murder/Mysteries usually in quaint villages featuring bookshops. Dual timelines are a plus! Is there a Cozy Horror genre or is that too oxymoronic? As always, very entertaining! P.S. I noticed Lane's flickering overhead light, too. Maybe get a ring light for that dewy Hollywood glow?

This was a really interesting conversation. I think you're right about the distinction between category and genre and Amazon having infinite niche shelves. I think that's why Dead Goth Dolls Come to Life in A Dual Time Line could be a thing. Haha And then Lane would ask: "YEAH, BUT WOULD THAT GO ON THE HORROR SHELF?!" 🙂

How about: Alice grew up and forgot all about her Wonderland adventures. Middle-aged, settled, and bored, she stumbles on to a portal that catapults her back into Wonderland to remind her of who she really is. Or somesuch. 🙂 HAPPY First Day of #JaneAustenJuly !

Great video; very insightful and fun - thanks for sharing! Glad to know I'm not the only impatient one, haha Love the advice to keep moving

Thanks for answering my questions! 🙂

What does AMA stand for in this case? Inquiring minds want to know. My wife is convinced it it the American Medical Association?

But you really can’t support yourself as a writer

This was encouraging to hear from the perspective as both authors and agents! I like Lane's advice to keep writing. Do any of you do Morning Pages a` la Julia Cameron? Don't answer that--I'll wait for the AMA! Speaking of, I clicked on your AMA link and it gave a 404 Error message. Maybe it will pop up accurately when you go live? I'm not sure, I've never gone live on my channel before!

I thought the 2 sisters in the story were referencing "Sense & Sensibility" until the query said "Pride & Prejudice." Snobby tutor does smack of initial Darcy, but I would think if he were into sports, it's be something like polo. Baseball doesn't really give off hoity-toity. Next month is #JaneAustenJuly. Like bug flour, it's a THING! Austenites from around the world unite in our love of all-things-Jane. 🙂

Welcome back! Alan Rickman played a mean 9but lovable!) Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood. "And cancel Christmas!" Galaxy Quest is HILARIOUS for so many reasons. And yes! I saw Queen Charlotte. Brilliant! 🙂

That was really interesting. Loved hearing your thoughts on the query letter.

I love a dual time-line and multi-generations. Sounds like a fun read. Also, your new haircut looks fantastic!

Awww . . . sweet Marshall.♥ I'm so glad he pulled through! I totally agree--I'm not reading or watching anything when an animal dies. I have a dog memoir I wrote years ago, and for the (inevitable) deaths of my very old dogs, I had "Skip This Chapter." It's the hardest thing saying goodbye in real life, never mind in fiction when I'm there for laughs and warm fuzzies. 🐾

I won't read any book where animals die needlessly. If a person is hunting to survive that's different but not in horror or thriller.

I'm so glad your dog is okay. I love my dog too.

😢😢😢

I think Jacqui is describing every introvert's nightmare of sensory overload at a conference. It's not good for ADHD, either. I think that if you are providing your services, you should get paid for your time and expertise as the consultant you are. I don't see why that would be unethical. Lane: Why conferences suck! I mean, here's Ann to say why they're great. 🙂

Cutthroat Island. I have it on dvd.

So sorry to miss this! I got the notification but I was in a kennel being a midwife to a Cavalier King Charles mama in labor with 5 puppies (Awww . . . ). I will save my questions for the next one. 🙂

I cannot believe yall have never heard of one piece, the Netflix adaptation was everywhere! 😭😭

"Not a cool wizard" made me think of boring wizards with their pedestrian wizard spells. I was also thinking with Lane, "How can they go after him if he has the Touch of DOOM? What makes him vulnerable to the Wall Street Bro-wizards?" LOVE the glasses, Ann! 🙂

Lane personality meshes well with me. we'd definitely would get along. i'll laugh at all your jokes, Lane.

really puts a damper on writing recent REALISTIC FICTION

Your font comment made me imagine a Seinfeld scene of Elaine telling Jerry she's breaking up with someone because he uses Comic Sans in his emails. "I'm really more of a Times New Roman kinda gal. If anyone should use it, it should be YOU." And then Jerry would just scrunch up his nose and give his "ick" face. 🙂 A few Ideas: "Top 5 Red Flags for Agents." YT likes lists and numbers; Top 5 or 7 or 10. ("And number 4 may surprise you" so they don't click off the video). "7 Questions to Ask Your Literary Agent." "It's Me, Not You: Knowing What You Want in an Agent." "It's Me, Not You" could be a whole series--but then as we know, ANYTHING can be turned into a series! "What to Look for in a Writing Conference." "Networking for Introverts." If you make it more generic, it could appeal to a wider audience. "QUIZ: What's your communication style?"

P.S. I think it would be helpful to include the genre in your titles. It would help with the search function and recommending your videos to a wider audience. E.g. "Quelling Your Query Conundrums, Episode 15: Middle Grade Novel" For the thumbnails, you can create a template for each genre and then have a space for a subtitle. For this particular one, you could have a picture of Ann holding a magnifying glass with the subtitle of "Hijinks & Shenanigans" in it. So the title gives the genre, and the thumbnail illustrates it. Thumbnail templates are more work upfront, but once you have them, they're easy to edit. I'm imagining Lane would have fun with the Horror genre. Ha! You can go back to your previous videos and create new titles and thumbnails and that can help nudge the algorithm. Often YT creators will play with titles/thumbnails to compare stats for views, watch time, subs, etc.

"Scooby-Doo" makes me thing "gang of kids" and Sherlock makes me think MYSTERY. B&B's are typically old houses dolled up. The author could say something like, "His parents buy an old house in a new town to start a Bed and Breakfast. The house comes with a mysterious past and the ghost of Silas Manchester, that only [character] has seen." Part of the fun of a ghost story is figuring out the logical explanation behind the hauntings. Bringing up the librarian, realtor, et al has told me the list of suspects before I even read the story. All that to say, I would read this! I think what I've learned with your videos is writing a novel and writing a query or book blurb are two different skill sets. It's hard to boil it down to a synopsis when you're so close to it with 40K words.

QuestPit was originally meant to be an author-hype event like PitLight and then it just kind of took on a life of its own

Ann: "No one wants your T-shirt. Stahp!" Me looking at Lane's T-shirt . . . . 🙂 Lookit you with 40 subs! The first 100 take the longest but then it starts steamrolling after that. Consistency feeds the Algo gods.

I would totally read this book! It sounds like 21st century Judy Blume; real people in real situations that are relatable for YA readers. It's not just featuring a character who is different, but offers a road map to understanding and empathy for readers who might not have that exact situation. The whole "boy crazy" situation is very relatable, too. Not every girl wants to play Spin The Bottle in their friend's basement. I would think the meaning and cultural significance of her name is already explained, along with the pronunciation and various mispronunciations. Perhaps adding to the word count could be parallel stories of differences/similarities in how mother and daughter were raised. Or a comparison between her and an Indian cousin of the same age. Lots of possibilities! This query makes me want to volunteer for an ARC.

I write about a storm on page 2 of a paranormal novel. The wild flux of energy sets up the appearance of spectres and one particular ghost - who is a primary character..

Query Pet Peeves could be another series! And maybe Tired Tropes or Query Clichés? Your videos are informative AND really funny which makes them even more memorable! 🙂

Here's my testimonial for watching your podcast on YT vs. listening. You put in a lot of fun commentary that enhances the conversation. It reminds me of how "The Simpsons" has things in the background, like the time the family goes to the mall and there's a bookstore advertising "James Michener $0.99/lb." "Your children are not going to become gay penguins!" Ann quotable. That needs to be on a mug. "Subscribe for 5 minute thing" is so you don't get spam bots in the chat section. Or trolls like "G.K."

"We have more important things to do than just fall in love." That's my Ann quotable for the day! This was fascinating to watch as you two banter back and forth and end up with switching the paragraphs and changing the hook. It makes it more 21st century fairy tale than having a passive princess waiting to fall in love or be rescued. NO! BURN IT DOWN. Mwhahaha On a different topic: CORSETS. Nothing will put a bee in their bonnet faster than calling corsets "constricting" for people who actually wear them full-time. E.g. Adelaide Beeman-White, Sarah Chrisman, Bernadette Banner on YT. Shannon Makes (also on YT) is an acrobat and literal circus performer who has a short demonstrating some of her act while wearing a corset she made. Each of these ladies has a video debunking the myths surrounding corsets (blah blah organ damage, blah blah patriarchy, etc.) When I strained my back, what did I put on? A corset. It also prevents slouching. If I'm reading historical fiction and the heroine complains about a corset, I know the author hasn't done his/her research. Also if someone says, "Hello," because that wasn't a thing until telephones. But I digress . . . . 🙂

I think generally speaking, the biggest advice I'd give to people considering an MFA is that you shouldn't do it without some kind of funding. MFA programs will often come with assistanceships where you teach for the school while they give you a stipend and pay your tuition. These programs are hard to get into, but in some ways that can be a boon, because it means you're more likely to be surrounded by people who are dedicated and who know their craft. Programs that charge a lot of tuition often result in a worse experience and end up with debt that an MFA doesn't prepare you to take care of.

I'm just discovering your content, but I enjoy seeing people honestly react, it gives a lot of useful information. Cheers for what y'all do.

Sorry to miss! There was no notification for when you went live on TH-cam. I know with Streamyard the advantage is to be able to stream on multiple platforms at the same time: FB, YT, etc. Maybe post on your community tab for advanced notice? Also, link to Ann's book video? And now I will listen to your convo and go make some fancy pasta! 🙂

I had already revised this query before it was read out here, but this feedback was still super helpful. I now have a more defined genre: contemporary romance with a speculative twist. I'm pretty sure it falls in the upmarket category but not sure whether to leave that in or not... I have made the pitch paragraphs less complicated and stated the stakes more clearly and no longer go into as many details / as far into the story as here. I also now open with a one sentence pitch ("A dispirited scientist must decide if her happiness and the life of her newly found soulmate are worth more than the fate of her civilization"). Thank you Ann and Lane for your constructive feedback!