I have my books; I fear no one. I have my books; I am never bored. I have my books; I am always happy. I have my books; I am never alone.

Ah-the first day of October 2013. It is officially fall for a couple of weeks now. The leaves are changing and in some places up North they are completely gone from the trees. The federal government of this one nation has shut down. Life goes on.

Today, I spent some time emailing out query letters to a few agents about Far Away Hills, my first novel. Keep your fingers crossed for me and let's see where it goes. Personally, I think it is an excellent novel. Of course, that is my opinion.
Here's my query letter I sent out....what do you think of it?

S. J. Francis

                                       awriterwriteshere.blogspot.com       October 1, 2013

 

Attn:  A Literary Agency 

Dear Agent :

    In today’s highly competitive fiction market, it’s no argument that an author needs to have someone on his or her side as well as the patience, persistence and perseverance of a saint.  After completing some courses through Writer Digest School and Gotham Writer’s Workshop, I have completed work on a upmarket issue driven novel of women’s fiction and am seeking agency representation through simultaneous submission.

    What would happen if you suddenly discovered that everything you knew about yourself was a lie? What would you do if the people you trusted the most betrayed you? Fact: Our grandparents were other people before they became our grandparents. What kind of persons were they? Would you have the courage to find out? Far Away Hills explores these issues in-depth.

    Thirty year old Kate Thayer has a good life until a series of events change everything. Something is wrong with her kidneys. She finds her mother’s journal that reveals animosity between her parents and grandparents. Her paternal grandmother, the woman that raised her is behind secrets Kate is compelled to uncover. Colored employees are actually her mother’s family. Being multiracial is one of many secrets she uncovers. While trying to come to terms with these revelations, she discovers she has a twin sister. Traveling from Mississippi by train to New York City with her Uncle she encounters passengers from both ends of the spectrum regarding her newfound heritage. In Far Away Hills, she discovers that it is not the color of one’s skin that matters, but what is beneath it that counts.

    Over the years, I’ve had short stories published in regional and local newspapers including Lake Champlain weekly, Duluth Journal and Today in Mississippi, newsletters, zines and military publications. For two years I worked in publicity at Fox Television.  For three years was a television producer for community television.  Second to writing, I’m a bibliophile, and third, I’m a college lecturer with Doctorates in English literature and Mass Communications.

    At 138,000 words Far Away Hills offers appeal to a wide audience.  There is currently no novel on the market like it, yet it could comfortably sit alongside the works of Judith Gould, Nora Roberts and Danielle Steel.  I am currently at work on another novel and hope to make Far Away Hills a two book series. Thank you for your attention. I look forward to hearing from you soon. 

Sincerely,   

S. J. Francis