This query is part of the Be an Agent for a Day contest. Rules and Regulations here
Please post your rejection or manuscript request in the comment section!
Dear Agent for a Day:
The pampas of western Peru are beautiful in their desolation. Averaging twenty minutes of rain per year, even the tiniest changes to the desert can last thousands of years. The plains of Nazca illustrate this perfectly; lines carved in the rocky soil have survived nearly two millennia. The glyphs of Nazca are one of the great archaeological mysteries of our time, though recently, a discovery has sparked controversy. When an American television crew picks up the story, they find a deep scientific mystery – and political intrigue that turns very deadly.
At 61,000 words, Glyphs is a tight speculative thriller. We look over the shoulder of an unusual cosmologist working at JPL as his story weaves into the plans of a successful television producer – and how both cross paths with a shadowy former Air Force operative. The characters give us a behind-the-scenes glimpse of television production even as threats swirl just off-camera to crank the tension.
The plot has a foundation of real science, shared through dialogue that make the concepts approachably visual. The crew’s discoveries in the desert pampas draw skeptical characters deeper and deeper into speculation – though the consequences are anything but abstract. A sprinkling of dark comic relief keeps it bearable until the action breaks through, bringing the story full-circle to a commercial, mainstream market.
Glyphs is my debut novel and the first story in a planned series. The style is visceral and immersive, lending itself to a fast first-read – but with enough depth that it could hook genre fans. The light word count is admittedly risky, but the strategy is to entice skittish publishers with a lower cost project, then push the envelope with the sequels. The second installment is in rough draft and the third has a deeply developed outline, with further possibilities depending on market reception.
Think of Glyphs as a bit of modern mythology told through a very realistic voice. I’m excited to share this story and perhaps, with your guidance, we could bring that excitement to a wide audience. If the concept sparks your interest, I’d be delighted to send a synopsis, sample or full manuscript.
Author
STATS: 4% request rate
2readornot says
Although there are some nuggets of intrigue here, the telling tone of the query doesn’t hook me. Good luck!
Anahita says
Dear Author:
Thanks for sharing your query. Sorry I can’t represent your work. Good luck!
Anahita
Enusan says
Thank you for your query. Your mixture of hard science with suspense is intriguing, but there is very little example of your style in the query itself. Please e-mail me the first five pages of your book.
Diana says
I think the query would improve by starting the action earlier and making more references to the actual plot, rather than vague descriptions. The first paragraph in particular, sounded like a non fiction text
Kathy says
Thank you for your query, but I am afraid it is not right for me.
Best of luck to you.
Sincerely,
Kathy
That Girl says
Dear Author,
Thank you for your query. Unfortunately, I will have to pass at this time.
Best of luck,
That Agent Girl
Saint_Fool says
Dear Author:
Thank you for your query. Unfortunately, I do not feel that your story is the right fit for me.
Best of luck.
Saint_Fool
Too much focus on selling a series and not enough plot to hook me. The word count seems very short for a thriller.
Gwen says
Dear Author,
Thank you for your interest. Unfortunately, this project is not a good fit for me at the present time.
Regards,
Gwen
***
(Side note: if I already passed on this one, I apologise. Trying to go through to ensure I got them all. Decent writing, but a bit too lengthy. Also vague. The concept is intriguing, though.)
Anonymous says
Thank you for your submission. Unfortunately, this project is not a good fit for me. I appreciate your time and consideration, and wish you luck in finding representation.
Best,
Agent M
R. Markiam says
Dear Author,
Thank you for your query letter and for thinking of me for representation of Glyphs. While your novel sounds intriguing, I’m sorry to say I won’t be able to pursue it further with you. I wish you all the best in securing other representation.
Regards,
R. Markiam
MonkBoy says
Thank you for your query submission, but I’m afraid we’re not interested in your material at this time.
Best of luck,
Placebo Publications
Sara J. Henry says
Encouraging rejection[Reasons: This may be a great manuscript – but the query didn’t draw me in – I had to force myself to read it. Get some passion in it! Sell that book! (It also seems short.)]
Laura Martone says
Dear Author:
Thank you for submitting your query for consideration. I appreciate the time, energy, and passion that it required to complete “Glyphs”.
Unfortunately, given the thousands of queries that I receive annually, I can only request a small percentage of manuscripts for possible representation. While I find the subject matter of your novel intriguing (as well as the possibility of a series), it does not meet my editorial needs at this time.
I am grateful for the opportunity to consider your work and wish you much luck in your future endeavors.
Sincerely,
Laura Martone
Livia says
Thank you for your query, but it is not a good fit for me. Best wishes.
Livia
Linta says
Dear Author
Thank you for your submission. Unfortunately I’m not the right agent for you. Best of luck in finding your novel a home.
Regards
Agent for a day
[reasoning: At first I thought this was a travelogue. Then I realised it was fiction, but I felt no connection to a character, and the plot arc is completely unclear to me. You lost me at “tight speculative thriller”, because the query rambled. Perhaps a revised query would do better.