Query Letter Question

[BarbaraUS]

Hi all,
A while back @AgentPete mentioned that a query should include a mention of why we think our book should be published now.

I have enough trouble with the "why you?" but even more with how to word the "why now?" statement.

Things I think:
because I ain't getting any younger
because I don't want my near future book to become historical fiction
All tongue in cheek, of course.

Maybe because: the climate crisis is a timely topic?

Or a combination of why you/why now for a digital first publisher: I am interested in (PUBLISHING CO. NAME) because your 'digital first' strategy will ensure my story on the timely topic of climate change is published quickly or:
After I say something about why them, I could add: PUBLISHING CO.'s NAME digital first strategy will also ensure . . . ")

In a separate question - if an agent/editor says they like "romantic thrillers" - does that mean a thriller that includes some romance or a thriller whose plot focuses on the romance?

Thanks in advance

 

[RK Wallis]

I have enough trouble with the "why you?" but even more with how to word the "why now?" statement.

Things I think:
because I ain't getting any younger
because I don't want my near future book to become historical fiction
All tongue in cheek, of course.

LOL! But in all seriousness (and ask a huddle for Pete's thoughts), my gut says you don't have to answer a 'why now' question on your query. When you've signed an agent, that's when I'd have the conversation, before they send your work out to editors.

if an agent/editor says they like "romantic thrillers" - does that mean a thriller that includes some romance or a thriller whose plot focuses on the romance?

To me, that says main plot thriller, subplot romance

 

[CageSage]

"romantic thrillers" - does that mean a thriller that includes some romance or a thriller whose plot focuses on the romance?

If the 'romantic' comes first, that's the main genre, and it's a thriller within a romance. Not sure how they'd say thriller with romance, though, but most thrillers have a touch of something about close relationships [it's often one of the stakes that causes the MC to act].

 

[Hannah Faoileán]

If a novel is a romantic add-the-genre, it means that your story wouldn't work without the romance part.

 

[E G Logan]

In a separate question - if an agent/editor says they like "romantic thrillers" - does that mean a thriller that includes some romance or a thriller whose plot focuses on the romance?

Good question. I think the balance would depend on the individual agent.

I have come to believe that agents deliberately make their wish-list wide and fluid, so: A. they can be flexible as trends change, sometimes quickly;
B. they don't miss out on the 'next big thing', without being able to predict it.

That's my charitable view. You don't want to hear what I say when I get: "I didn't think it was quite right for my list" when it seemed the agent's description was spot-on for what I sent!

 

[James Charles]

I've never heard of putting that in a query. I think most stress comps in query to show where it fits in the market (that would be why it would sell). And I am always told comps should be no more than five years old. But these are all great questions to ask Pete in the huddle.