Monday, June 18, 2012

A Winning Query Letter


Below is the query letter that peaked our interest in Tracy's Paranormal Properties script and ultimately lead to us signing her. 

Dear Acquisitions Editor:

Jake Weir is not like the other kids in Dusk, North Carolina. Then again, Dusk, North Carolina is not like other towns. Known as “The Third Most Haunted Town in America,” (behind Salem, Massachusetts and Las Vegas, Nevada, of course), Dusk is ground zero for Jake’s ghost hunting parents.


The Weir family has arrived in Dusk eager to scope out some of the town’s 127 reported “paranormal properties,” which just happens to be the name of their own ghost hunting show: Paranormal Properties

What Jake doesn’t know, and what his parents could never imagine, is that Jake can see ghosts! And hear them. And talk back to them! This talent comes in handy when he runs into Dusk’s oldest, most famous ghost: one Frank Barrone, a one-time lounge singer made famous by his booze-soaked ballad, “Barroom Eyes.”

Frank was gunned down by a local mobster in 1951 and has been searching for his killer – and his final resting place – ever since. When he learns that Jake can see and hear him, Frank makes young Jake a deal: if Jake will help Frank find his killer, Frank will help his parents find a ghost to film for their upcoming Halloween Special on Public Access Channel #319.

Jake enlists the only friend he’s made in Dusk, an overweight tomboy nicknamed “Tank,” to help him track down Frank’s killer. As clues emerge and old leads heat up, Frank and Jake learn they make quite a team. But will Jake find Frank’s final resting place? And will Frank find a real haunted house in time for Halloween? 

My name is Tracy Lane and I am an avid ghost hunter watcher! It has been my lifelong dream to write a book about a young boy in a ghost hunting family who can actually see ghosts, and I think Paranormal Properties is a great beginning to a long series of MG/YA adventures starring Jake and Frank as they wind across the country, finding – and helping – ghosts with all kinds of great back stories and adventures. I hope you agree! 

Paranormal Properties is complete at 40,000-words and available at your convenience, as are several sample chapters and a complete synopsis. Thanks in advance and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Tracy Lane

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