Into the Fire

Previously known as “My Faux Query Letter”:

Dear Mr. Editor/Ms. Literary Agent:

My name is Nicole, and I’ve written six [now seven] novels. The first one is self-published [and so is the second], and although I realize the following statement regarding it does not impress you—even as a professed Christian—it is the truth: It was written in direct obedience to an instruction from the Lord. I’m also aware that self-publishing is considered the poisonous kiss of death by “real” publishing houses, but there is simply no way any publisher would have taken on this epic novel from a first time author. Although it is my first novel and therefore not my best work from a technical standpoint, even in its minimal circulation, it has accomplished the intended goal of ministering to those who have read it, even those outside the targeted smaller market audience, drawing them either closer to the Lord or back toward Him. For that I am grateful and consider it to have achieved a measure of “success”.

In regard to the acceptable word count requirements, my latest novel is the one which most closely adheres to the desired tally coming in at 115,671 words. The most difficult one to write was the even shorter story interrupted in order to write the aforementioned book. The reason for the struggle was because of trying to force a story to fit into the maximum 100,000 word count and making it measure up to the tight definitions of a specific category. I have yet to finish it even though it’s nearly done. [Actually, it is finished now at a record number {for me} of about 88,500 words!]

The marketing plan for this novel falls far short of the $20,000 spent by a prominent bestselling Christian author to promote his/her latest release. And since no one knows who I am outside of my small sphere of influence and the anonymity of my blog, there is no way you can trust that I really am a decent speaker who enjoys public appearances and professing the greatness of our magnificent Lord and Savior, have taught Bible studies for adults and teens, spoken for women’s groups, and am a genuine people person when I’m not isolated in front of my computer scribing the stories God has given me to tell. And since it’s fairly difficult to promote a book which has yet to be put between covers, all the ideas in the world might seem to be moot points. I could offer to give a free copy of my epic novel with the purchase of one of these yet-to-be-published books for anyone who might be interested, but I’m sure your marketing people are far more accomplished in the specifics and ideas for promotion since you hired them for that very purpose.

As for the credentials which separate me from the crowd of writers beseeching your favor, there are none. No platform. No magazine articles, no newspaper or journalism publications, no guest appearances on television or radio shows, no e-zine articles, lots of blog “articles” and a few author and editor interviews. No notoriety, unless, of course, you look back 30+ years to my life before finding Jesus Christ. I did attend a university for a year and a quarter with a three month jaunt to Europe in between. I took primarily English and literature classes plus a playwriting class in which I got an A. After my college experience, I went to do what I’d longed to do all my life: worked with horses in the sport of horse racing for over 30 years.

This particular novel will not cause your heart to beat out of your chest in the first 20 pages due to its more “literary” nature (in spite of it leaning heavily toward romance) and its adherence to the normal flow of life events among the characters in the story. There are no life-threatening occurrences, but it does explore the moral background of the protagonist and the challenges he faces at falling in love for the first time in his life, even after having been married and divorced. When he falls prey to sin, the reader will experience the consequences with him. The gospel is interwoven in the story, and the two lead characters do experience the pain of failure and the promise of redemption.

I want to thank you for your valuable time in assessing my request and determining you’re not even remotely interested in what I have to offer as a writer/novelist. I’m sure your eyes are weary after rolling them so many times in response to my honest admittance of how I fail to meet your criteria for what an author should be and why there is obviously no justifiable reason whatsoever for you to trust that I really can write a good story.

Respectfully . . .

Aahh, Lord, what can I say? Thank you for loving me in spite of me. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.