Thought for the Day
- By: Jessica Faust | Date: Jan 28 2011
If you’re going to compare your book to those on an agent’s list, at least have some idea of whether it’s a comparison that works. You don’t want an agent to laugh at your query.
Jessica
It sounds like there's a good story behind this post… 🙂
LOL! Sounds like someone didn't read a book, just looked at a list of titles…
I always worry that I am over estimating my skill set when I compare myself to someone else.
I don't think that's a problem for me because I always compare my novel to The Bible. I say it's just as long, has just as many "begats" and the ending is just as trippy.
(What, are you saying this is not a good idea?)
🙂
Also, it's amazing how often writers seem to compare their books to the current mega-bestsellers in their genre. I may or may not have been slightly guilty of doing this in one case when I queried something nearly a decade ago.
You're being a bit vague ma'am…examples?
Don't leave us hanging! At least tell us who the client was….
I won't lie. Being the only one who sees the similarity between my book and the comp title is one of my biggest fears about querying someday. There's even more pressure if comparing to an agent's list, because I know he/she has definitely read that book!
Sadly this was written a week or so ago in response to a query (obviously) I so wish I knew what books the author was comparing hers too. What I can remember is the description of her book was NOTHING like her comparisons.
Laura: You made me LOL. Excellent.
Kristin: Make it easier on yourself. Just don't compare.
–jhf
Huh.
I've compared my work to the Bible, too, because it starts out with this beginning and then gets verse.
I could not agree more.