I am so excited...today, I learned that I am now a Full Member of the AAR. I have been working toward that goal from Day One and now another milestone has been reached. Giddy up!

The weekend in Austin at the Writers' League of Texas was thoroughly enjoyable. I met so many creative and strong writers and enjoyed the energy. PW's Sara Nelson gave an uplifting and informative Keynote Speech and meeting my agent and publishing colleagues really made my weekend. Thanks especially to Ted, Sally, Caryn, Lilly, Lauren, Lindsey, Toni and Brooke...you made my weekend special.

BEA in Los Angeles! I was there...but did not actually attend the BEA. Instead, I went to BEA-related events. I spent some time with some of my clients.

On Thursday night, I hung out with Daryn Kagan at a Meredith party which was a lot of fun. Daryn is one of the nicest and most gracious people I ever met.

On Friday, I enjoyed the morning at Santa Monica Pier once I fought my way through the endless traffic jam that is L.A. It was a glorious day and when I walked around the beach, the California Myth the Beach Boys created definitely came to life for me...awesome. Then, to Brentwood to meet with another client, Rocky Lang, author of the hilarious Confessions of ER Doctors. Afterwards, I spent some time discussing details of a movie project with a Hollywood producer (sorry about the secrecy...no jinxes allowed!). Lastly, I met with wonderful Maria Serrao for an inspiring chat.

Later, that evening I attended another publisher's event in West Hollywood with my client Dan Fante who is one of the greatest writers ever.

I just returned from the CAPA-U in Hartford. Another great conference! I enjoy meeting authors and colleagues and I presented a workshop. For a picture of me conducting the workshop you can go to: http://capa-university-2008.blogspot.com/

Comings and Goings:

Long time client Jill Elaine Hughes has decided to move on to another agency. Jill is a great writer and I wish her all the best and many terrific sales.

I am VERY excited to welcome bestselling author Michael Konik to TriadaUS. Michael is the author of The Smart Money: How the World's Best Sports Bettors Beat the Bookies Out of Mil (Simon and Schuster, 2006), Ella In Europe (Delacorte, 2005) and several other highly acclaimed books. Prepare to be amazed and deeply moved by his newest project.

Last month was a great month! Went to NYC for a week to meet with many editors. I always enjoy my time with them...and I love to visit NYC.

I also just made a six figure deal for a great project with a legendary editor.

Lastly, COVERT and WHAT'S POSSIBLE are doing great with LOTS of media attention.

Just got back from the COVERT book launch and Book Tour launch in Washington D.C..

It was a great event and the authors will be in New Jersey and New York today and tomorrow. CNN will be there and Joe Pistone (the real life Donnie Brasco) will meet Bob Delaney again after 25 years.

TNT and ESPN will run more about Bob Delaney's amazing life in the next few days as well. Stay tuned for more. This is a very exciting time and COVERT is currently the #6 on the bn.com bestseller chart.

Well, another one for soccer! I am now one of seven finalists for the NATIONAL High School Coach of the Year. Here is the article from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette:

PG North/West: Sewickley Academy coach honored

Thursday, January 03, 2008

By Jim Rodenbush, Tri-State Sports & News Service

Taylor Takacs thinks Sewickley Academy boys' coach Uwe Stender is a master at motivating players. The Panthers goalkeeper said the best example came in a match against Seton-La Salle in the WPIAL Class A title game in November.

"Matt Hoch just wasn't having his best day, and Stender pulled him and put him on the bench," Takacs said. "That [upset] Matt a little. He eventually went back in and ended up scoring the game-winning goal.

"Stender knows how to push everybody's buttons."

Stender's leadership skills led Sewickley Academy to a 25-1-2 record and WPIAL and PIAA Class A titles in 2007. For his efforts, he was recently named the NSCAA/adidas High School Coach of the Year for Region 2, which includes Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Delaware.

Stender is one of eight finalists for the National Coach of the Year, which will be announced at the NSCAA convention Jan. 18 in Baltimore.

"He's definitely deserving," Takacs said. "He's probably the most knowledgeable coach I've had. He knows what he's doing."

In the fourth season of his second tenure with Sewickley Academy, Stender led the Panthers to a remarkable turnaround. After winning eight games in 2006, Sewickley Academy finished this past season with a 14-game winning streak and was unbeaten in its final 22 games.

How dominant were the Panthers? Backed by Takacs' 17 shutouts in goal, they outscored opponents, 109-17.

"To have a turnaround like that is a testament to [his] coaching," assistant coach David Long said.

"There's a lot of stuff tactically that goes on, but he does an excellent job of motivating the young men to play at the highest level and have confidence."

Stender's best motivational job this season might have come before the PIAA championship game, a 3-0 victory against Camp Hill Nov. 17 in Hershey. Stender had previously won a PIAA title in 1997 in his first stint with the Panthers (1994-98).

"He was able to explain to the boys before they got there some of the things they were going to experience and how they should prepare and get ready for the game," Long said. "For some kids, it makes them nervous. Our kids were calm and confident when they got there."

Added Takacs: "He definitely kept us calm. He told us before the [PIAA] final that it didn't matter who was the most skilled, but who was the most relaxed mentally. He kept everything in perspective."

Stender, who was named the 2007 PIAA Class A coach of the year, said he hopes to travel with his assistant coaches to Baltimore for the NSCAA convention.

He downplayed his contributions to the Panthers' season, instead giving credit to his assistant coaches and players. He said winning the PIAA championship wasn't a surprise, but rather his team's goal this season.

"It's always the dream," he said. "We always set our goals high. We have a good program at Sewickley, and our goal from day one is to go to states. Now, whether or not that's achievable ..."

A pair of ties against Seton-La Salle -- the 2006 WPIAL and PIAA Class A champions -- in the regular season provided a confidence boost to the Panthers.

"Considering what Seton-La Salle had done the year before, that was really when the players realized they could achieve a lot," Stender said.

When he is not coaching at Sewickley Academy, Stender works as a literary agent. He described soccer as his passion.

"I just love it," he said. "It makes me forget everything else. It's a release. I have a lonely job. I spend a lot of time reading manuscripts, with no face-to-face interaction with people. Being at the soccer field, it's a nice way to connect."

On Publishers Marketplace I am now #8 in the category TOP DEALMAKERS of the last six months(agents).

Last one on the soccer season: I am now officially the Soccer Coach of the Year in Pennsylvania. Thanks to my great team and my great assistant coaches!!!

Sorry, once again, this has nothing at all to do with the agency or writing. My soccer team is the STATE CHAMPION of Pennsylvania. We won 3-0 in the final in Hershey and celebrated all the way back to Sewickley! A police escort welcomed us about 3 miles from home. It was awesome!

Athlete of the Week: Sewickley Academy soccer

By Staff Reports

Published: Monday, November 19, 2007 11:57 PM EST

GOLD

Sewickley Academy boys soccer

Maturity can be a rewarding process.

A year ago, the Sewickley Academy boys scored zero playoff goals and vanished in a WPIAL first-round playoff loss to Carlynton, an inconsequential team.

This year, the Panthers scored 25 playoff goals, allowed only four, and built an eight-game playoff winning streak that led to WPIAL and PIAA Class A championships.

For their performance in a 3-0 victory over Camp Hill in the state title game, the Sewickley Academy boys have been selected as The Times’ Athletes of the Week.

In a 4-3 state semifinal victory over 2006 champion Seton-La Salle, four different Panthers scored: Bobby O’Donnell, Sam Dunderdale, Matt Hoch and Mark Zindren.

In the title game, three Panthers scored: O’Donnell, Matt Kaye and Nick Kiefer.

That’s six different players scoring in the final two games of the year. That’s unimaginable scoring depth.

Over the course of the postseason, O’Donnell contributed seven goals, including one in each of the team’s four PIAA games.

Kaye had five postseason goals, while Dunderdale had four. Hoch finished with three goals. Zindren, Andy Sharek, Nick Napoleon and Jeff Limbach also scored playoff goals. Goaltender Taylor Takacs recorded six playoff shutouts.

The Panthers finished with a 25-1-2 record, a 14-game winning streak, and played the final 21 games without a loss.

Sewickley Academy advances to state soccer final

By Bill Utterback, Times Sports Staff

Published: Wednesday, November 14, 2007 12:18 AM EST

NORTH FAYETTE TWP. — Grown men with prison-guard grimaces glared into the bleachers and dared jubilant fans to fling silver-wrapped joy onto the playing surface at West Allegheny High School. But their defense was punctured, their integrity pierced. Prison break.

A handful of milk chocolate candies tumbled across the turf, glistening on the plastic grass.

On this night, no defense could contain Sewickley Academy’s volcanic conviction.

“I found a Hershey’s Kiss, and it was sweet,” senior Bobby O’Donnell said after Sewickley Academy secured a breathtaking 4-3 victory over Seton-LaSalle in a PIAA Class A boys soccer semifinal Tuesday night at West Allegheny.

O’Donnell, Sam Dunderdale, Matt Hoch and Mark Zindren scored goals, and O’Donnell, Andy Sharek, Matt Kaye and Alex Kiefer added assists, as the Panthers advanced to the state championship game at 10 a.m. Saturday at Hersheypark Stadium.

“We get to go to Hershey and prove we’re the best team in the state,” O’Donnell said.

Seton-LaSalle, the reigning PIAA Class A champion, took a 1-0 lead, but the Panthers scored two goals in each half to frame the season’s most compelling drama.

“This was an epic battle,” Sewickley Academy coach Uwe Stender said. “This was one of the greatest games ever in high school soccer. Our boys were incredible. Their boys were incredible … It was like Ali-Frazier, with lots of knockdowns. But we were still standing at the end.”

The Panthers produced four masterful goals to earn their place in Hershey.

The surge began when O’Donnell took a corner kick and, instead of launching a high ball to the far post, rolled a putt toward the near post. Dunderdale ran onto the ball and, as if he were sliding into second base, flicked it past the goalie.

“I was in there because our Ian Frey, one of our captains, is hurt,” Dunderdale said. “I just wanted to do things the way he would have done them. Bobby gave me a great ball and I was lucky enough to get a foot on it.”

Sewickley Academy moved ahead when Sharek, standing 58 yards from the goal, launched a free kick that used Hoch’s scalp as a landing strip and skidded into the hangar. It was a brilliant kick and a brilliant flick.

In the third minute of the second half, Kaye ran down a loose ball at the sideline, turned, deked a defender and fired opportunity to the front of the net. Zindren redirected in into the goal.

Later in the second period, with Sewickley Academy leading 3-2, Kiefer used a slick move along the end line to separate himself from a defender and lasered opportunity to the front of the net. O’Donnell finished the play with a diving header that provided the margin of victory.

“To go from 8-9-2 like we were last year to 24-1-2 this year and playing in the state championship game is a testament to our coaches, because we’re basically the same kids,” Hoch, a senior, said.

11/04/2007

Sewickley masterpiece: Panthers win soccer title

By: Jim Equels Jr.

ELIZABETH - When he is not coaching the Sewickley Academy boys soccer team, Uwe Stender makes his living as a literary agent, with clients that include former CNN anchor Daryn Kagan and NAACP Urban Image award winner Omar Tyree.

But Stender admits he might be interested in a non-fiction story about two rivals that meet in a championship soccer game, with the outcome being decided on a sudden death goal in overtime.

"I would buy that book," Stender said.

And if the team that is the protagonist ends up losing the game, he could always change the ending.

"Exactly," Stender said.

But ultimately, the WPIAL Class A championship game had a storybook ending for Stender, as his Sewickley Academy team won its second title in three seasons when the Panthers' Matt Hoch buried a rebound with 2:20 left in the first overtime to claim a 2-1 win over top-seed Seton-La Salle.

With the win, Sewickley Academy improved to 21-1-2 and moves on the PIAA tournament beginning on Tuesday. Seton-La Salle, the defending WPIAL champion, lost for the first time this season.

It was the third meeting between the two teams this season, as the two previous matches ended in a pair of 1-1 draws.

"This game going to overtime did not surprise me," Stender said. "Had this game gone to a penalty kick shootout, it would not have surprised me. I'm glad it didn't though."

Sewickley claimed the championship in the 13th minute of the scheduled 15 minute overtime when Hoch got his foot on a rebound at the 6-yard line and tapped it past keeper A.J. Smigielski.

The game-winner was set up by a throw in by Matt Kaye to Bobby O'Donnell, who worked his way to the right of the goal and took a shot on goal that Smigielski knocked away into the middle of the goal box. Hoch was in the right place at the right time and blasted the shot into the open net.

"Give all of the credit to Bobby," Hoch said. "He made the play. I was just there to put it in."

It was the second time O'Donnell made a key play that brought Sewickley a WPIAL title. In the 2005 WPIAL championship game, O'Donnell assisted on the game-winning goal in overtime, also against Seton-La Salle.

"It's a new game in overtime," O'Donnell said.

"Once I saw Bobby get the ball and start making a move, I had a feeling something was going to happen," said Sewickley keeper Taylor Takacs, who had the best view of the play some 110 yards away. "When he beat his guy, I knew the opportunity was going to be there."

Sewickley appeared as though it would win the game in regulation, as it took a 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute of the second half when Jason Limbach corralled a rebound of a shot by Kay and beat Smigielski to the goal.

The Panthers maintained that lead for the next 13 minutes until Seton-La Salle's David Del Greco gained control of a crossing pass between two Sewickley defenders and beat Takacs wide to tie the game with 5:30 left.

That was the lone miscue for Takacs, as he made seven saves in the game.

Sewickley did have some bad news during the game, as senior striker Ian Frey left the game on a cart with a possible broken leg after a collision with Smigielski midway through the second half.

The title marked the fourth WPIAL championship for the Panthers boys team since 2000 and the eighth soccer title for the school. Sewickley's girls have also won four championships.

The day was especially pleasing for Stender, as his mother was celebrating a birthday in his homeland of Germany. Part of the festivities at the Stender household in Hildesheim, Germany, was listening to Sewickley Academy in the WPIAL title game via the internet.

"It's a big day for all of us," Stender said. "This is nice for her."

June 20, 2007:

Recently, I was asked: How often do you contact your clients? The answer: I will be in touch when I have news to report, i.e. a book deal offer or a rejection. If I have no news, I won't be contacting my clients, I simply don't have the time to check in without relevant news. Regretable, certainly, but a consequence of how busy this business is.

However, my clients should feel free to email or call me at any time. If you are a client, I am always happy to hear from you and I don't ever want you to feel neglected. And if you DO contact me and don't hear back from me within a day or two, then I did not receive your email or call, so please, email me again, or call or write a letter. As my client, I want you to always feel comfortable and informed and if I don't initiate contact, please do!

June 5 , 2007:

I just got back from the BEA. What a great event, despite the heat in NYC and inside the convention center. I love meeting fellow agents and editors there and I am always exhilarated by the buzz and activity.

I also took the time to meet several editors outside the convention center at great restaurants, coffee shops and their offices. New York City is a pure thrill for the senses and a shot of adrenaline!

May 2, 2007:

Wow, have I been silent for a long time. It's been crazy busy here at TriadaUS, so I have had no time to write in the column. But, now, two firsts for TriadaUS, both in regard to COVERT- The Bob Delaney story: 1. We made the top deal in today's Publishers Marketplace Deal Page and 2. The publisher Union Square Press/Sterling issued a press release in conjunction with the NBA to announce the signing. That is huge. You can see both in the Company News section.

Since last year, I also attended several great conferences as a guestspeaker and panelist: the New England Mystery Writer's Chapter's Crimebake in November; the SCWC in San Diego and the Uwe Stender's Personal Luck charm conference: The Novel in Progress Workshop in Louisville. I love attending these events: it's great meeting other agents and editors and exchange stories "from the trenches." But most importantly, the writers inspire me with their enthusiasm and their dreams. Gotta run, the phone is ringing!

September 22, 2006:

It was a good week this week. I got two deal offers and it looks as if one of my projects will be signed for a TV series option. Nothing is done until it's finalized, but these are promising developments nonetheless.

Today, I am leaving for the Connecticut Coast Writer's Retreat. I am very excited about meeting writers and editors and it looks as if this will be a fun and productive weekend. For more information, check at http://www.ccwritersretreat.com. Gotta run, pack and fly!

August 22, 2006:

It's been a long time since I had a chance to sit down and write a column. Lots of things happening. In less than two weeks DK/Penguin will unleash Ron Weiers' timely 365 Tips To Save Gas on the bookstores. I can't wait. This is a very exciting project and I hope it will sell tons and tons of copies. Everybody who owns a cars should buy it! (Wouldn't it be great if they did?) :-)

That sale made me happy, because it was a quick sale and things moved at the most amazing speed imaginable. On another note, I just sold another project which I have had for almost two years! It proves once again that persistence will pay off, patience will prevail.

May 25, 2006:

I just got back from the BEA. It was once again a very good event for networking. I met with over 20 editors and other industry professionals and also learned that the first printing of the LOST book almost sold out and a second printing is being done. Congrats to Lynnette, David and Sourcebooks for the great promotion.

May 9, 2006:

The last three weeks have been good to TriadaUS. First, three sales in a row, not bad.

Now, the publicity on UNLOCKING THE MEANING OF LOST is picking up big time. The interview with Lynnette Porter and David Lavery(authors of UNLOCKING THE MEANING OF LOST, which was released last month) will definitely be running in USA Today tomorrow, May 10, on the FRONT PAGE OF THE ENTIRE PAPER!!!

This is huge and I hope will keep pushing sales up and up.

Additionally, the authors have given numerous interviews on many TV and radio stations with more to come. I hope life will continue in this direction! Now, go to your local bookstore and pick up a copy of UNLOCKING THE MEANING OF LOST.

April 12, 2006:

Well, well, well. Persistence pays off. Remember the book which I sold and then the publisher left the book industry? Well, I sold it again! A better publisher and a better deal than we would have had, so all is good again!

Now, if only I could get that elusive fiction sale...

March 30, 2006:

Two weeks ago, I attended the Novels in Progress Workshop in Louisville, Kentucky. It was great meeting a lot of talented writers and editors. The highlight for me, though, was spending time with three wonderful "rival" agents, Katherine Sands, Sally van Haitsma and Deborah Grosvenor. Their grace, charm, intelligence and experience brightened my weekend.

February 23, 2006:

The publishing houses giveth and they taketh away. Sigh! The Superbowl win is now only half as sweet for my luck. One of the deal offers turned out to be a problem. My client and I just learned that the publisher (who has good distribution and came highly recommended) is getting out of the book business and will continue only with their backlist titles for a short while, before pulling out of the business altogether. This was like a kick in the gut for me, and my client is inconsolable. Those are the tough breaks. I will not comment on anything regarding the publisher, but...

Anyway, my sleeves are pulled back up! I sold the project once, I can sell it again.

February 9, 2006:

It's been a long time since I had time to write a column. I have been swamped with projects and trying to keep things going. In the late fall, I was fortunate enough to get two more deals, but then things slowed down.

And then the Pittsburgh Steelers won the Superbowl and proved that persistence, hard work and integrity pay off despite the odds. Since they won last Sunday, I was able to secure two more deal offers which will be signed and delivered in the next several weeks. Two deals in three days...not too shabby! I hope the trend continues!

While I am waiting for more good fortune, I encourage writers to send me more nonfiction (especially self help, how-to and pop culture) with strong platforms and well written and unique fiction queries!

July 26, 2005:

Trapped in a commercial:

For the longest time, I felt as if I had been trapped in one of these Capital One commercials. You know, the ones where David Spade yells: "The Answer is ALWAYS NO!"

No matter how much an editor liked one of my projects, an editorial board would not like it as much. Or if editor and editorial board liked it, then the publisher came along in person and said "NO." And when, finally, all ducks were in a row, then the respective Sales and Marketing folks decided that the project would not sell enough and consequently the answer was NO.

Finally, today, I was able to escape that commercial and I am no longer "shivering in my bright yellow shirt." The first deal just came through! Whew!

Now that this monkey is finally off my back and I won't have any more nightmares with David Spade yelling NO, Nunca, N.O., Njet, Nein; maybe I can get a few more sales soon and even save 15 % on my car insurance with Geico! Maybe the gecko can teach me how to dance the ROBOT.

June 6, 2005:

Short Report on BEA in New York City, June 2-5, 2005:

I arrived on Thursday to attend the Backspace Conference for the Bob Kellogg award. It was a very moving event and it was so special for me to meet Bob's widow, the charming Sally Pollock. Thank you to the kind folks at Backspace to make this happen, especially Karen Dionne, Chris Graham and his lovely wife Sharlotte!

The BEA was overwhelming and absolutely FANTASTIC! I met many editors for long and detailed conversations and several editors for quick introductions and a short discussion of what their needs and wishes are. I want to thank all of the editors who took the time to chat with me, in particular (and not in any order): Stephanie Higgs, Michelle Howry, Stacy Hague, Anne Groell, Danielle Chiotti, Chuck Adams, Lou Anders, Jen Itskevitch, Michael Cunningham, Hillel Black, Deb Werksman, Peter Lynch, Heather Jackson, Mike Lewis, Michele Pezzuti, John Rawlings, Mark Weinstein, Kermit Hummel,Karen Conner and all the others who were kind enough to spend time with me! Thanks again, you all know how much I appreciated this opportunity.

Thanks also to Gina Panettieri who is a very generous person and committed agent.

I will nurture the relationships with all the editors as I am in awe of their creative energy and boundless enthusiasm for their projects!

Furthermore, the BEA was not just great for face to face meetings, but also as a resource and learning tool for me. I will continue to work hard for all of my clients and I continue to look for new talent. Admittedly, in fiction, TriadaUS will focus more on romance and strong literary fiction, as well as "edgy" fiction than before. We also are now aggressively seeking new clients in all areas of nonfiction, but especially in prescriptive nonfiction and "how to" nonfiction.

May 2, 2005:

Short Report on the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention in St. Louis (April 27- April 30, 2005):

This convention was a ball! I loved meeting a lot of published and aspiring authors. The attendees were tons of fun and the convention was well-organized, yet relaxed. The events were both informative and enjoyable and St. Louis proved to be a great and safe convention city.

My personal highlights were meeting a lot of the editors: Kim Cardascia (St. Martin's), Hilary Sares (Kensington), Kate Duffy (Kensington), Karen Kosztolnyik (Warner Books), Chris Keeslar (Dorchester), Kimberley Burton (Chippewa), Christine Nowicki (LTD Books), Maryam Salim (Loose ID), Leslie Burbank (Medallion Press VP) and many others. I was also fortunate enough to sit on a panel (SHY BEGINNER AND ADVANCED WRITERS: SELL THAT BOOK!) with Kim Cardascia, Kate Duffy, Karen Kosztolnyik, Chris Keeslar, Christine Nowicki, as well as author Bobbi Smith and moderator Ann Peach.

During my agent/writer appointments I had the opportunity to meet many writers first hand and I was impressed by their creativity!

I encourage every writer to attend the convention and conferences in their respective genres, because the learning and networking opportunities are worth it. But most importantly: they are fun and it is stimulating to meet so many creative people in one place!

February 26, 2005:

What makes an agent a good agent?

That is an excellent question. The glib answer: if an agent has sold a book (or ideally more than one) that you have heard of. True enough. So what makes a writer a good writer? If he wrote a book you have heard of. True? I am sure writers would not agree with that necessarily. So, let's give an agent the benefit of the doubt and look a little deeper for an answer.

A good agent is not a scammer. The only money an agent should ever earn is his commission. PERIOD.

A good agent believes in his clients and their projects. It is a tough market out there: clients and agents have to trust each other and be available for each other.

A good agent treats the editors and publishers with respect and professional courtesy. They have a tough job to do as well and mutual consideration and respect go a long way.

A good agent negotiates the best possible deal for his client, but remains realistic about the marketplace.

A good agent treats all writers with respect, yes, also those he rejects. Yes, agents receive from dozens to a hundred or more queries a day. BUT: the writers have put in a lot of time into their respective projects and at least deserve a response. There are limits to that: I, for one, NEVER respond to a query that is not addressed to me by name or is obviously a mass produced mailing. (See previous column!)

I believe that an agent who adheres to at least these points is a good agent and will ultimately, sooner or later, meet both of the glib criteria: namely he will represent a book that you have heard of by a writer who you have heard of .

January 27, 2005:

What not to do in a query:

My first topic of discussion is E-mail queries.

First of all: if you submit to several agencies at the same time, make sure that your To: line does not show all the agencies, but that my agency is individually addressed. If I see that I am just a part of a mass mailing, then I consider the writer to be lazy and have no interest in him or her. I just hit DELETE. I don't care if you submit to a thousand agents, but at least make sure you address me individually.

Which brings me to the second point: Please, address me by name in the query. If you cannot do that, guess what: I just hit DELETE.

The third point is: No spelling mistakes or blatant grammatical errors in your query text. If the subject or plot of your query is overwhelmingly brilliant, then I may overlook one or two errors, BUT, the more errors you make, the more my interest in you and your manuscript decreases until, you know it, I just hit DELETE.

Please, don't tell me that you have "tested" your manuscript by showing it to "family, friends, acquaintances" and they all think it is a "masterpiece."

Have you ever watched American Idol? There are singers who are tone deaf and are so bad that my dogs hide under the bed when they hear these wanna-bes mutilate everybody's eardrums. But guess what: their friends and family told them they sound just like Aretha Franklin or Stevie Wonder.

In the least, such a claim sounds amateurish and in the worst case it may simply cause me to, yes, hit DELETE.

As long as you avoid these pitfalls, you will achieve your minimal goal: I will actually read your query.