Saturday, April 6, 2013
F is for Flogging
There's a website called Flogging the Quill. Have you heard of it? On this website Ray Rhamey takes the first page an author sends in and "flogs" it. Meaning he shows us whether or not he, as an agent, would keep reading and why. It's been a great resource for me in trying to figure out the elusive art of the first page. Hope it can help you too.
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I enjoy websites like this that analyze either query letters or first pages.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great possibility! Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteHope you find it useful.
DeleteThat key word "why"! So much more rewarding than a blank form rejection. Sounds like he has a good idea, although "flogging" sounds a bit severe!
ReplyDeleteYep, I've heard of it and seen it and it's great! Maybe someday I will...submit something. EEk.
ReplyDeleteGo for it! It's really a good experience.
DeleteSounds painful but necessary.
ReplyDeleteIt's not too bad. And it really does help.
DeleteHadn't heard of this one. Thanks for letting us know it's a good resource.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of it either. But will check it out. Thanks
ReplyDeleteHope you find it useful.
DeleteI had my first page FLOGGED almost two years ago. It was really eye opening! :)
ReplyDeleteI had one done a couple years ago too. Very useful.
DeleteI had not heard of it. I'm excited to check it out maube someday I will gather enough courage to submit my first page.
ReplyDeleteWell at least it's not actual flogging :D
ReplyDeleteReally great and useful website. Thanks for introducing me to it! Have a great weekend :)
Never saw it before, but I'll have to check it out!
ReplyDeleteHope you find it useful.
DeleteI had never heard of that site. It certainly sounds like a useful one to visit.
ReplyDeleteYes, I've heard of it. A very useful resource if one can take the heat!
ReplyDeleteVery useful. And we need to get used to the heat. Better now when we can improve it than after it's published in reviews.
DeleteHaven't sent him anything, but I did send my blurb to Rachelle Gardner and she tweaked it for me. That was kewl.
ReplyDeleteThanks, that's a great tip!
ReplyDeleteSome Dark Romantic
Cool site that Flogging the Quill. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of it before, but what a great idea! I'll have to go check it out.
ReplyDeleteWill have to check it out--thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWHOA...that is some useful stuff right there!!!
ReplyDeleteWow! Thank you for this link - I had never heard of it - soooo useful. Thank goodness for letter F ;)
ReplyDeleteHi, Sara,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder. I had seen this site ages ago and with all my learning and rewriting, I had forgotten about it.
Sorry to come off the cynic but it sounds like a blowhard thing to do. Reinforces that agents somehow know the craft more than the writers themselves and keeps them scared, unempowered and seeking to please a particular reader rather than finding that voice that everyone worships in word but not, apparently, in deed.
ReplyDeleteThumbs down from where I'm sitting.
Thanks for the tip. I'll give it a look.
ReplyDeleteKathy @ Swagger Writers
Thanks for this link Sara!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a scary and painful experience... but also a good one...
Writer In Transit
Ha, I love the name of it. I'll have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check out that web site. I hope he lets people down gently when he comes across a first page that doesn't interest him.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great resource. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteEnjoying your A to Z posts. Very helpful! Thanks for the flogging link. Blessings! Pam at 2 Encourage
ReplyDelete