Why You Don’t Need to Query
1 Feb
Back in December I posted a parable about getting published without querying. Since then people have been asking me to continue to develop that idea. Here goes:
First, while you don’t have to watch the whole thing, please spend a second or two with author Jason Bradbury and his model robot.
As the video implies, Mr. Bradbury made both his robot and the video to support the book. That said, there is no reason he could not have made this video while he was writing the book. Or even before he committed a single word to the page.
The old media model was based on seasons, previews, street dates, limited/wide release, etc. The assumption was the art stuffs had a specific life cycle (preview article, hardcover, paperback, etc.). The time line was scripted and controlled.
The old model still exists, but we’re not so picky about how an idea moves through the snake. In Mr. Bradbury’s case, I’m glad that he has a book coming out, but for the purposes of enjoying his robot and his vid I really don’t care. His passion, his zest for life, and the coolness of the model robot itself are enough for me. Even if he were unpublished, I would still send this video around simply because it’s interesting.
Now imagine you’re an agent. You see this video from a would-be author. The subject matter piques your interest (like I said: cool robot). Plus, you’re encouraged by the fact that you’ve found someone who’s embracing new technologies, who has spirit and energy, and, most of all, who is willing to do something extra.
When I was an agent, we used to discourage aspiring writers to pull stunts like this. “The only thing that matters is what’s on the page,” we would say to them.
Not so now. The page still matters. The page will always matter. But the ability to generate and hold attention matters just as much.
This is why you don’t need to query. Because instead of sitting on your ass waiting for someone to notice you, you can go out there and get noticed all by yourself.
Tags: promotion, publishing, YouTube
What I love about this example the most is that Bradbury didn’t have to take up some activity that was “not him.” He found a model-maker and videoed his first view of it. He seemed pretty comfortable both taking a video and being in front of a camera.
It really is an amazing model, though. I can’t believe it’s plastic and resin!
I see this as an extension of the “show don’t tell” mantra. Sure, you can write a query letter that makes Nathan Bransford all tingly. But it’s cooler if you demonstrate that you are ready, willing and able to promote your book, and that your book is promotable. I have a feeling this sort of “something extra” will be a basic requirement sooner than later. Plus it opens up so many more potential channels for success. Querying is a one-to-one deal. Who knows how your cool video, blog, site, experiment, etc. will reach the powers that be? Or the powers that be’s assistant’s best friend’s cousin, who forwarded the link.
Building on what Kat said, there is also something to be said for having the vid not be directly about Mr. Bradbury.
For those of us who feel uncomfortable with self-promotion, this is a great strategy. Make videos about other people that make you look good. Voila!
Okay then, tell me what you think. Please.
My art is going to be in an art festival this spring. I make my art by cutting up the pages of my novel and making pictures from the shapes. You can read snippets and phrases of scenes this way.
If you buy a picture, you get a password to the website, and with your password you can read the chapter used to make your picture. If you really like the chapter, you can go to Amazon’s create space.com and buy the book through print-on-demand.
Work?
Well, I haven’t quite figured out how to make an agent take notice…
@mapelba: I really like this. It reminds me of a story I read about an author who was leaving copies of his book across the country and seeing what serendipity brings.
Drop me a note about what happens at the art festival and we’ll do a post about it on DCWYTBMA.
Good luck!