Unique and special.

[PeeDee]

So. I was checking (ack! passive sentence! BZZZT!) out the web-sites of some agents and agencies which I want to submit to. I came across this:

Please send us a query letter of no more than two pages, which includes your credentials, an explanation of what makes your book unique and special, and a synopsis. Also, please include a self-addressed-stamped-envelope for our reply, which generally takes six to eight weeks.

All pretty standard and normal stuff, I think....except....

I have NO idea how to explain what makes my book unique and special.

What on earth do I put there!?

Would would you put there? "My book is the most bestest a'cuse I wrote it! My book is better than Steve King, Johnny Steinback, and Annie Rice all rolled up together, yum yum!"

You get the point. How do you answer this question yourselves?

[Rolling Thunder]

Well, if it's a rather thick, heavy book and you squash Unique in it.....that would be special.


(I'll be back later with a grown up response. These things take time.)

[farfromfearless]

"Because my book R00Lz the universe!!"

That's a stonewall - geez, now that I think of it, how the hell do you answer a question like that? Bravo to whomever can answer that one for themselves in the first five minutes of reading that question.

[Julie Worth]

So. I was checking (ack! passive sentence! BZZZT!) out the web-sites of some agents and agencies which I want to submit to.

Not passive, but the which should be that. And web-sites has evolved into websites.

[johnzakour]

Here's how I answered that question with my first novel: My book is what you would get If you put Hitchhiker’s Guide and Blade Runner in a blender.

[anodyne]

um...

wouldn't you just do your hook? Or say that your book fills a particular niche in your genre?

[rugcat]

I wouldn't worry about it. Your query letter is going to give them all the info they need to make a decision about whether they want to pursue it. No agent is ever going to think, "Hmm, nice query, interesting premise, but wait--he forgot to explain why it's unique and special like we asked. Straight to the trash it goes."

Of course if you really have a unique hook, it's a great selling point.

"Dear Editor,

The fact that I actually am a werewolf gives this book added weight and verisimilitude."

[PeeDee]

"And that is why you should publish my fiction novel, Moby Dick.

Sincerely,
Ishmael."

[Vomaxx]

"Unique and special" is redundant, isn't it? If something is unique, one-of-a-kind, it must be special.

[TsukiRyoko]

Say it causes an erection... of the mind.

[JeanneTGC]

Tempting as it is to joke...I have been in this situation too much and know the pain.

It's in your query letter. Your book is unique and special because it deals with a new take on Faeryland and how its denizens affect and interact with the modern world, told through one man's struggle to overcome life-shattering changes yet still manage to save the world. (Or something along those lines.)

Look for the log line (ie: what one sentence would you use to pitch if you were trying to convince Hollywood to make a movie out of it). One caveat -- most agents are not impressed when you compare your book to another book or a movie. In person it's okay to say "a cross between the Wizard of Oz and Blade Runner". In writing, you're better off saying, "a cross of fantasy and futuristic elements". Or somesuch.

(Back to the latest short story WIP which is a great distraction from the necessary new query letters WIP which is a great distraction from doing the final edits on the latest completed novel WIP which is a great distraction from sleep. If only the damned short story would figure out how it should end, all would be well.)

[PeeDee]

I was curious how other people handled this when it popped up. For my own book, I've got a couple of ideas. Barring those, I'll just submit to someone who doesn't want anything unique of me.... :)

[blacbird]

I have NO idea how to explain what makes my book unique and special.

Back when I was growing up, my parents used both these terms as euphemisms for someone who was mentally retarded. Hope that helps.

caw

[JeanneTGC]

I was curious how other people handled this when it popped up. For my own book, I've got a couple of ideas. Barring those, I'll just submit to someone who doesn't want anything unique of me.... :)

Don't worry. If they don't want unique and special, they want really well written and engaging. Or spectacular. Or thrilling. Or something that just drags them in and never lets go. Or only truly exceptional writing with great merit.

So, be sure to send that, not something else.

[PeeDee]

I only send my truly exceptional writing with great merit to PublishAmerica. Everyone else gets the left overs. It's the only sane thing to do.

Right?

.......right???

[PeeDee]

Back when I was growing up, my parents used both these terms as euphemisms for someone who was mentally retarded. Hope that helps.

caw

My parents did that too. Interesting.

SO really I'm asking "What makes your book mentally retarded, and how would you explain it to agents?"

[JeanneTGC]

My parents did that too. Interesting.

SO really I'm asking "What makes your book mentally retarded, and how would you explain it to agents?"

At this point, I am thinking of hating my book and never speaking to an agent again. But, tomorrow, when I change my mind, maybe I'll go with, "It's written using many small words."

[Inkdaub]

You mind if I use that line about the graphic designer?

[Linda Adams]

What they're not looking for is what everyone else is writing or has done. A lot of people never take the extra step to really come up with something different. For example with a fantasy, someone might summarize it is a wizard who wants to take over a kingdom and will cause millions to die. Okay. So what? That's probably the plotline of fifty others on the agent's desk. Yours has to stand out from the other fifty, so what is it about yours that makes it stand out from those. That's what's unique and special.

[MattW]

a wizard who wants to take over a kingdom and will cause millions to die. Special and unique would be that the wizard is evil and vile, but he's a sympathetic protagonist, and the need for the conquest is justified to him, and ambiguous to the reader.

[sfecphory]

My book is written in Esperanto (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esperanto).

[Higgins]

So. I was checking (ack! passive sentence! BZZZT!) out the web-sites of some agents and agencies...

"I was checking out XYZ" is not a passive verb. It is active.

The passive would be "I was being checked out by XYZ."

This illustrates another problem with "following the rules"...for example: to avoid passive verbs you have to know what passive verbs are.

[Zolah]

They want your hook!

My book is unique and special because it will appeal to all the girls aged between 12 and 16 who love the strong fantasy action of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, but long for positive, leading female characters whom they can identify with, and a fully evolved romantic story.

Or something like that. Basically you're telling them your niche.

[Miss Java]

My book is written in Esperanto (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esperanto).

Do you think Pig Latin would be unique enough for them? :idea:

[Miss Java]

My parents did that too. Interesting.

SO really I'm asking "What makes your book mentally retarded, and how would you explain it to agents?"
Now, Now. How rude can you get! It's mentally challenged. You have to be careful now days. Retarded is just not PC.


What makes your book mentally challenged? Yeah, that is better.

[Miss Java]

Special and unique would be that the wizard is evil and vile, but he's a sympathetic protagonist, and the need for the conquest is justified to him, and ambiguous to the reader.


Or even more special and unique is that he is a cross dresser. He rules with his iron fist, dressed in pink tights and a leotard.


Huh..huh? What'cha thing? Very special and unique I would say.

[C.bronco]

"Unique and special" is redundant, isn't it? If something is unique, one-of-a-kind, it must be special.
Unique is one-of-a-kind, but it isn't necessarily special. A turd shaped like Elvis would be unique, but I'd never call it special. In fact, I'd flush it away without a second thought. (disclaimer: this is hypothetical. I have never created such an item.)
Meanwhile, I have some frosted sugar cookies in my freezer which may look like many other cookies, but they are special because my son made them.

[C.bronco]

Anyway, why is your book different than the others?

[Miss Java]

A turd shaped like Elvis would be unique, but I'd never call it special. In fact, I'd flush it away without a second thought. (disclaimer: this is hypothetical. I have never created such an item.)


I'm surprised something like that hasn't come up for sale on E-bay. (ewwww)

[JeanneTGC]

I surprised something like that hasn't come up for sale on E-bay. (ewwww)

It will. Someone was selling "unicorn scat" a while back. I will spare the group a description, but there were actual bids on the item.

Frankly, a turd shaped like Elvis would go for lots. I will broker for 10% of the take, should such an item become available. (No need to thank me, that's just the kind of girl I am :D .)

[Miss Java]

It will. Someone was selling "unicorn scat" a while back. I will spare the group a description, but there were actual bids on the item.

Frankly, a turd shaped like Elvis would go for lots. I will broker for 10% of the take, should such an item become available. (No need to thank me, that's just the kind of girl I am :D .)

And you can't forget the 11 year old piece of toast with the face of mother mary burned onto it.

[sfecphory]

Now, Now. How rude can you get! It's mentally challenged. You have to be careful now days. Retarded is just not PC.


What makes your book mentally challenged? Yeah, that is better.


Shouldn't that be "entallymay allengedchay"?

[Miss Java]

It will. Someone was selling "unicorn scat" a while back. I will spare the group a description, but there were actual bids on the item.

Frankly, a turd shaped like Elvis would go for lots. I will broker for 10% of the take, should such an item become available. (No need to thank me, that's just the kind of girl I am :D .)

So perhaps, a book with the main plot line being: a man "creates" a turd shaped like Elvis, and puts in up for auction on Ebay. Except someone breaks into his house and steals it. He must solve the mystery in time before his auction closes and use the auction winnings to save his "mentally challenged" brother with a life saving operation.

See. Unique and Special.

[Higgins]

So perhaps, a book with the main plot line being: a man "creates" a turd shaped like Elvis, and puts in up for auction on Ebay. Except someone breaks into his house and steals it. He must solve the mystery in time before his auction closes and use the auction winnings to save his "mentally challenged" brother with a life saving operation.

See. Unique and Special.

Title?

Rectal Harmonies? Mind Thunder? My Favorite Turd was Shaped like Elvis? Shaped like Elvis? Elvis Shaper? Elvis Shatter? I Shat Elvis?
Almost Saved by Elvis Turd?

[eldragon]

Agents like to be wooed, PEEDEE.

Hire someone in a chicken suit to deliver your book. Or, have someone throw a pie in their face. Send them a VHS tape (has to be VHS tape, preferably an old one,) that has a recording of you talking about your book. Don't tell them anything specific, just how good it is.

And don't forget to tell them how long you hold grudges for rejections and how personal this all is to you. Let them know that you don't have 8 freakin weeks for an answer! Show em who the boss is, PeeDee! That's what agents like.

[JeanneTGC]

So perhaps, a book with the main plot line being: a man "creates" a turd shaped like Elvis, and puts in up for auction on Ebay. Except someone breaks into his house and steals it. He must solve the mystery in time before his auction closes and use the auction winnings to save his "mentally challenged" brother with a life saving operation.

See. Unique and Special.

I think it's gonna be a big, big hit.

[PeeDee]

Agents like to be wooed, PEEDEE.

Hire someone in a chicken suit to deliver your book. Or, have someone throw a pie in their face. Send them a VHS tape (has to be VHS tape, preferably an old one,) that has a recording of you talking about your book. Don't tell them anything specific, just how good it is.

And don't forget to tell them how long you hold grudges for rejections and how personal this all is to you. Let them know that you don't have 8 freakin weeks for an answer! Show em who the boss is, PeeDee! That's what agents like.

Yeah! ANd if they deny me, then clearly it's because they just don't understand my genius! Clearly, they're trying to hold me down! I will call Soapy Malone and he'll go sort them out.

[Atlantis]

So. I was checking (ack! passive sentence! BZZZT!) out the web-sites of some agents and agencies which I want to submit to. I came across this:



All pretty standard and normal stuff, I think....except....

I have NO idea how to explain what makes my book unique and special.

What on earth do I put there!?

Would would you put there? "My book is the most bestest a'cuse I wrote it! My book is better than Steve King, Johnny Steinback, and Annie Rice all rolled up together, yum yum!"

You get the point. How do you answer this question yourselves?

What they mean about "unique and special" is for you to tell them how your book is different from the thousands of other manuscripts waiting to be published all of them with the same plot line. It takes a lot to make a plot line unique. Nearly everything has been done. The Quest. Man verses Machine. Man verses Man. Man verses Monster etc, etc, etc....

That doesn't mean you can turn these old stale plots into something new. I have a book about manuscript formatting and queries that has the query of the best selling book "The notebook" included in it. The author mentions in his letter that the reason his book is different from the thousands of other romance books on the shelves is because it is about an old couple (and there are almost NO romance books written about elderly people) and one of the main characters has a illness that I can't remember or spell at this moment without going in my room and draggin the book out ;)

He sold the book then went on to become a best selling author who sold the flim rights to his novel that went on to become a successful flim. He gave a good solid reason why his book was unique and special and it was.

Not every book is like his though. Not every book has a unique and special plot. Some books relie on characters or settings to make themselves stand out. My novel is unique because it features the Greek Gods in Perth Western Australia in modern times which is the most unusual setting for a fantasy story because it is so modern, not very exciting, dry and hot. Its not exactly the place you'll expect Zeus to go strolling down the street in a pair of shorts. Half the reason I chose the setting to be there is because I cannot think of a single fantasy novel set in Australia with magic and adventure. Not a single one. It makes me unique...hopefully.

[aadams73]

So. I was checking (ack! passive sentence! BZZZT!) out the web-sites of so
I have NO idea how to explain what makes my book unique and special.

What on earth do I put there!?


They want your hook: that one thing that makes your book different to similar books.

[josephwise]

NOT unique OR special:

"Agent Starling is pulled into the investigation of a serial killer named Buffalo Bill. To find him before he kills his next victim, she will have to interview a lunatic who may have once been acquainted with the killer. As she has not yet completed her FBI training, Agent Starling may not be up to the task, or the danger it entails."

Unique and special:

"Agent Starling is pulled into the investigation of a serial killer named Buffalo Bill. But to find him before he kills his next victim, she will have to interview the infamous Dr. Hannibal 'The Cannibal' Lecter, a brilliant but viciously insane former psychiatrist who would rather toy with her mind than give her clues to Buffalo Bill's whereabouts. Even behind a plexi-glass wall in the depths of an asylum, Lecter may be far more dangerous than the killer he alone can locate. But time is running out for Buffalo Bill's latest victim, the daughtor of a powerful senator, and the bureau is willing to do anything to find her before she is skinned alive. Even if that means putting Agent Starling in more danger than she can handle."

Both are true, but I'd be more interested in the latter, if I were an agent. Sure, it's longer, but would still fit comfortably within a short query letter.

[kwwriter]

I wouldn't worry about it. Your query letter is going to give them all the info they need to make a decision about whether they want to pursue it. No agent is ever going to think, "Hmm, nice query, interesting premise, but wait--he forgot to explain why it's unique and special like we asked. Straight to the trash it goes."

Yup. This is right on.

[The Lady]

Don't know can I be of any help but I've certainly drank enough right now to consider myself a, a friend of the world and b, uniquely helpful.
Looking back to the days when reading books was a kind of a lifeline, I reckon this is what makes books unique and special, can they touch an emotional cord or can they impart some kind of universal truth that we are all born knowing and need to be reminded of. Personally I think good fantasy and SF does this more than any other kind of literature. So basically, what's the raison d'etre of this book? What made you write it other than the desire to grow fat and rich of the proceeds? Answer that, I think, and that's what makes it unique and special.

[Kentuk]

Write the boring part first, then rewrite it to reflect your zany wacked out sense of humor. When finished write the hook in a constrained succinct rather modest manner. It will be so incongruous that they will have to follow up.