Writing a book or query letter is a lot like playing chess. If you don’t know how to play chess (or you stink), don’t worry. This article will show you how to write a book and query letter that get results. And it will show you how to play chess like a Grandmaster (that’s the highest title a chess player can attain).
Now, what do the game of chess and
writing a book or query letter
have in common?
Everything.
* * *
Writing a Book – The App
Six months ago I downloaded an app for my iPhone. If you don’t know what an “app” is, it’s a little program that lets you do cool stuff. For example, I have an app that lets me read books on my phone. Another app calculates the tip for me when I eat out at restaurants (based on how much I like my server). I even have an app that tells me whether the movie I’m thinking about watching is any good (separate ratings by movie critics and ordinary viewers like me).
Now those aren’t the apps you need to know about to become a published author. The only app you need to know about is called…
“Chess ++” by Fat Bird Games.
Yes, its a chess game that you can play on your smartphone. Its free. And, no, you don’t need to download it if you’re writing a book. You simply need to read the next few paragraphs.
When I first staying playing my chess app, I loved it. There are three different levels on the game: easy, medium, and hard. I started out with easy because I’m not a Grandmaster. After just a few weeks, I was winning 90% of the time.
That’s when I got confident (cocky?) and
started playing the medium level.
It’s been five months.
I haven’t won once.
And it’s driving me crazy.
Here’s why…
I’ve downloaded other games in the past: golf, football, bowling, etc. And I’ve always been able to figure out how to master the game (or at least do extremely well) by simply using my instincts and intuition. I take pride in that.
Chess is different.
I tried every possible combination of moves on the medium level of difficulty. I played cautiously. Then aggressively. More than a hundred games over several months.
But nothing changed.
Checkmate.
That’s when it hit me…
Playing chess is like writing a book or a query letter.
And that’s why I’m telling you this story.
* * *
Writing a Book or Query Letter – The Moral of the Story
There are certain things in life that you simply cannot master… if all you rely on is your instincts, intuition, and straight-up persistence.
Chess is one of those things.
Writing a book or query letter is one of those things.
If you’re not getting the results you want (with your chess game or with literary agents), ask yourself the following question… and answer it honestly:
How much better can I really get,
without doing something different?
I can admit it now…
I’ve hit the wall with my chess game.
The only way I’m going to get better, and start winning on the medium level, is to go outside myself. I need to watch some chess tutorials, study the Grandmasters, and/or get someone to teach me the higher-level strategies that I’m too blind to see.
I know I’m not stupid.
In fact, I can do just about anything better than most people in a really short amount of time (without help). But chess reminded me of something I knew, and needed to remember. You simply can’t “intuit” or “stubborn” your way to success with certain things in life.
Chess is one of those things.
Writing a book or query letter is one of those things.
So…
When it comes to writing a book and/or getting it published,
what options do you have – outside of yourself?
Joining a critique group?
Reading books on your craft?
Taking classes and workshops?
Hiring a qualified coach/consultant?
It’s not rocket science, but you’ll certainly feel like a genius once you get the help you need to take your book or query letter to the next level. If you’re not getting the results you want, it might be time to start working smarter instead of harder.
So, what are you going to do?
It’s your move.
If you liked this article… post a question or comment below.
For more information about writing a book and/or getting published, click here for my free 15-part Guide to Finding a Literary Agent. Then click here to see the 3 different ways you can get 1-on-1 help from me (free to fee) as your Book Marketing Coach. You can ask me questions about writing a book or getting published on my blog, or you can ask me questions 1-on-1 via phone or Skype during an introductory consulting call.
Now, leave a question or comment below!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
Your “Undercover” Agent
* * *
* * *
MARK MALATESTA is a former literary agent turned author coach. Mark now helps authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children's books) get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company 
MARK MALATESTA is a former literary agent turned author coach. Mark now helps authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children's books) get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company 
Dear Mark
I just finished my second book and now will be looking for an agent.
I have been reading your emails and I thank you for all the advise that you are free to give to people like me.
Will let you know how I go.
Sasha
Thank you Sasha, and good luck.
Let me know if I can help!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Great article Mark
Mark Sheaf
Thank you Mark, good hearing from you… and have a great holiday and week!
I’m working much of the day but taking rare time out tonight to watch the NBA semi-finals game… and Ingrid and I went to see horse races Saturday for the first time.
Hope you’re doing something to enjoy yourself in between sending out queries.
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Hi Mark: Good article and a sound “pitch” for Mark. I am not a chess player. Far too impatient for that. Can’t sit and sit for hours, same with playing cards. But …I CAN sit for hours writing. So maybe it’s the same. Writing is a journey. Playing chess takes time to learn. So does playing piano. Some have talent and go fast. Some just feel passionate about it and take more time. One thing is certain: you must feel driven to go the extra mile all the time. Those who have that know what I mean.
Hi John, thank you… and you definitely need to have a burning desire driving you… that can come from a variety of different sources… to do anything great. Writing is certainly no different. And those who have it know what you mean. 😉
Have a great day, and week,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Joining a critique group? Those exist? Hmm…. I wish they did here, but I’ve never heard of one.
Hi Nikki, critique groups can be fantastic… and if you can’t find one locally… you can certainly find some online. I haven’t looked around yet for that but I’d love to hear what you find if you take a look. I know there are a lot of groups and forums and things like that… with lots of people… but I’m talking about a smaller group of no more than a dozen people that’s more intimate and allows everyone to provide feedback and support for everyone’s work. Let me know if you find anything like that. It’s something I might share with my list. 🙂
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Absolutely. 🙂
🙂
Mark,I admit readily that the publishing world is complicated, intimidating and unfriendly to writers wanting to be published. You are more than generous in outlining many of unique necessities to reasonably have a chance of getting any interest by a true professional to represent. I am an 82 year old on fixed income that simply wants to write for readers enjoyment. I have completed my first novel and ready for sequels. I am ready! My Story is ready to be read! Please help the right way to go.
Hi Tom, thank you for that… and congratulations on getting everything ready to go. How can I help. Have you been taking advantage of all the information on my websites?
If you haven’t already done so, make sure you click here to access to all the valuable resources I have about getting an agent in my private, members-only area (no charge): http://thebestsellingauthor.com/membership/. Once you’ve entered your name and email address there, click on the link that says, “Audio Training Library”. Then you’ll see my main audio training (and text transcript), which reveals the 7 Insider Secrets You Need to Know to Get a Top Literary Agent, Publisher, and Book Deal.
If you want help with anything else, you can post questions for me online here: http://thebestsellingauthor.com/ask/. And you can register for an introductory coaching call with me here: http://thebestsellingauthor.com/coaching/intro-call/.
One way or another, let’s make this your year.
Have a great day, and week!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
I am half way thru writing a book entitled DEFROCKED The Pastor Rebels, a Protestant version of Spotlight. About a man who is an excellent Pastor yet with a need to rebel which finds its outlet in willing women for affairs. He ministers to the sick, women needing abortions, a child molester, alcoholics, children of murder-suicide parents, while having a few affairs. The book propels the reader on to the obvious yet startling ending.
Hi Larry,
Are you trying to find a literary agent?
If so, I’m happy to help if I can… but I want to make sure you know that I’m a former literary agent turned author coach. Now I help authors get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals. If you do want to get an agent, and you haven’t already done so, click here to access to all the valuable resources I have about getting an agent in my private, members-only area (no charge): http://thebestsellingauthor.com/membership/. Once you’ve entered your name and email address there, click on the link that says, “Audio Training Library”. Then you’ll see my main audio training (and text transcript), which reveals the 7 Insider Secrets You Need to Know to Get a Top Literary Agent, Publisher, and Book Deal.
If you want help with anything else, you can post questions for me online here: http://thebestsellingauthor.com/ask/. And you can register for an introductory coaching call with me here: http://thebestsellingauthor.com/coaching/intro-call/.
Either way, I’m looking forward to learning more about you and your work.
Have a great week!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
I’ve written a humor book, so shouldn’t my query letter include a little humor?
Hi Carl, absolutely. 100%.
If you haven’t already done so, make sure you also click here to access to all the valuable resources I have about getting an agent in my private, members-only area (no charge): http://thebestsellingauthor.com/membership/. Once you’ve entered your name and email address there, click on the link that says, “Audio Training Library”. Then you’ll see my main audio training (and text transcript), which reveals the 7 Insider Secrets You Need to Know to Get a Top Literary Agent, Publisher, and Book Deal.
If you want help with anything else, you can post questions for me online here: http://thebestsellingauthor.com/ask/. And you can register for an introductory coaching call with me here: http://thebestsellingauthor.com/coaching/intro-call/.
Either way, I’m looking forward to learning more about you and your work.
Have a great week!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Ha! Writing a book is easier than writing a query or a synopsis. | Writing a Book
Hi Laura, maybe we should say that writing a query or synopsis is like playing chess… but blindfolded? 🙂 Mark | Writing a Book
Hi Mark!
I agree! Getting a coach/editor is an incredible help in making your book the very best it can be.
You’re totally right when you say writing is much like chess – you have to plot out the story as well as define your characters and their actions, much like to trying to figure out your opponent’s moves before you make your own.
I’ve gotten help for my stories and it’s only made them better-and you know me, I’m ALL about the story! Great reading your articles regularly… Best to you! | Writing a Book
Hi Lois! Happy weekend to you, lovely lady. Good seeing you. Hope you are having a fabulous time enjoy your new situation that you emailed me about. Congrats again. See you around. 😉 Mark | Writing a Book
Mastering the Game of Life is all about understanding how all the parts help to complete the whole – we were never meant to struggle alone – and it’s so much more fun to collaborate with like minded people to build relationships that empower our ability to relate to the world around us. | Writing a Book
Hi Philippa, I’m learning to enjoy the art of collaboration more and more. Life is less complex without it. But you don’t get as far that way. And life isn’t nearly as fun. Thanks for posting. 😉 Mark | Writing a Book
ooops, what is this?
“When I first staying playing my chess app, I loved it”
am grinding out reviews so I am in the review mode at moment before I go back to grinding out the photography. I have only 4 photos left to get done on the second review, so its break time while the images are loading two-by-two.
To me, chess is all about strategy, but the problem is that I learned chess as small child playing against an adult at Master level, so I learned defensive strategy rather than offensive. | Writing a Book
Defensive strategy creates inordinately high % of stalemates that are not defeatist losses–they’re Pyrrhic victories inflicting serious doubt in opponent’s psyche. They aren’t pure wins, either, but more the determinism of a terrier tearing a shoe apart. Once the first stalemate called, it’s predictable I can take it down to twenty and watch the frustrated face of my bewildered opponent. I am not easily cowed or cornered, but the real problem is that I was not taught to win.
It’s problematic. | Writing a Book
Interesting perspective. Offensive vs. defensive strategy. Another article maybe. Nah. Your comments will suffice. By the way, I played ten or so more games (and lost) since I posted this. I am a glutton for punishment, I guess (oops, another cliche). I don’t mind them sometimes. 😉 Mark | Writing a Book
nothing like me re: glutton, I spent hours getting whupped at chess because the game fascinated me: small kid versus knowledgeable master is mismatch; but as I loved chess I always played.
am surprised– I’d think cliche would be one of your red flags that sends a letter or proposal to vertical file under desk and liberality of comma faults surprises me also. I’d rather expect somebody who is the mean ogre shredding book inquiries for red flags to be nasty on cliche and punctuation. | Writing a Book
hi pogo, when helping an author edit a book or query letter… i’m more careful. i’m also of the opinion that a cliche can sometimes be effective… as long as the rest of the material around it isn’t predictable. along those same lines, i used to use a lot more $20 words when writing… but that can often alienate the reader… at least in this type of setting… so i do “write down” somewhat on here so i don’t lose anyone. Mark | Writing a Book
think I cut too close. the loose punctuation errors surprises me still. i shall disappear for a while. if a normal blogger, is normal; but when somebody who looks for small red flags to shred inquiries, it seems like the parental don’ts while making the same infringements. It’s not such an easy thing you’re trying to do. I can’t count in words or write templates, so I am lost cause. I won’t write at all until thing is clear in head and then I write from start to end. Is bad habit. | Writing a Book
What, I’m first? I just came home from a great reading/talk with author Nathan Englander, here at CU-Boulder, reading from one of his most recent books: “What We Talk About When We Talk About Ann Frank”. What a brilliant mind. He talks and thinks faster than anyone I’ve ever heard. Which strangely made me relax. He shared a few thoughts about writing which were pretty cool, but hard to repeat.
Thanks for the blog post. Yes, though I hate to admit it, it’s true. Writers need help!
Ellen | Writing a Book
Hi Ellen, yes… you were first. Glad you had a good time at the talk. I’m working all weekend trying to get caught up on miscellaneous admin things so I can get back to my queries. Talk soon. 🙂 Mark | Writing a Book