Spoilers?

To do or not to do...

So, writing this summary. Still hate it. But now I’m at the point where I need to decide if I’m going to include spoilers.

Other things I hate: writing the back blurbs of my books. It’s like a summary, but even more distilled and stilted. While as a reader, I despise when the back just has things like “best book of the year!” “So-and-so finest work yet!" as a writer this really avoids a massive headache.

When you write a query letter, you need to make your book sound like the most interesting genre-specific plot ever written. Your characters need to be vibrant and punchy. Your plot, incandescent. It must sparkle with the fire of a thousand suns.

I know I’m dramatic, but for some reason this hyperbole doesn’t translate into my query letters. I still sound like a bad book report. And then I get to the end of my description and all I’m left with is ‘it was the father all along!’ like some crummy soap-opera.

I’m nearly done with my summary and I am going to try to winnow down the query letter from there. I suppose I need to believe that the strength of my story will hold itself up, without any gimmicky hooks at the beginning.

But back to spoilers. Some agents want them and some don’t. Make sure you read all the information on the submission page before you send out your letter/emails. Missing easy to hit details is a sure-fire way to get your letter rejected out of hand, without even being read. Doesn’t matter how cool your story is if no one will answer your emails.

You’re thoughts? How much do you give away in your book descriptions? Do you like to leave it a total mystery for the reader? Do you find it easy to strike a balance?

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My first book, Archer 887, was a 2022 Indies Today Awards Contest Finalist, and is on sale now through online book retailers. Pick up a copy, leave a review, and let me know what you think!

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