When you stumble upon a deeply rooted secret, it’s nearly impossible to keep quiet. And yet, that is exactly what the Swan family did for six decades. No one had the courage to ask about the time when grandfather abandoned our family to become the co-leader of a controversial religious sect.
It all started in 1950 when Henry Swan was asked by a local priest to investigate a woman’s claim that she spoke to the Virgin Mary. Yes, the Virgin Mary.
IN WAKE OF A FOLLOWING is part memoir, part historical fiction. As the granddaughter of the protagonist, I narrate my investigation into the unconfirmed Virgin Mary apparitions in Necedah, Wisconsin. Each chapter’s narrative is followed by a fictional recount through my grandparents’ points of view, taking the reader through a separation from faith, the Red Scare, bizarre conversations with heavenly saints, and the creation of a spiritual cult that still exists today.
Complete at 92K words, IN WAKE OF A FOLLOWING is a story about the power of belief during a time when communism was a monumental threat and religion seemed the only safe house.
Thank you for your consideration.
Memoirs - 1950 Virgin Mary Apparition - Fear & Belief 
I think this is great! I expect you will receive a positive response. Best of luck! 🙂
Thank you Elizabeth – for all of your support!
I can’t wait till some one finally wakes up and smells the coffee. This is a great query letter. Beautifully written. I want the book. And here is the kicker: I am interested in it even though it is not a genre I would usually go for. Great, great job.
~a.q.s.
Aw, thank you Annie! I’m hoping to get the story out there. And I’m so excited I spiked your interest! See you on twitter, my friend.
Your query has great voice. Any agent willing to read past the first paragraph will be hooked by your style.
Very well done. Best of luck!
Thank you. I recognize you as a fellow contributor on agentquery.com. I hope your book The Ninth Element is selling fast and furiously. You write with great suspense! And I appreciate your feedback on my query letter. I’m trying to shorten it a bit – still too long. It’s a work in progress. 🙂
Have a great day,
Jen
OK, I am no expert on this, but overall I thought your query was succinct and neatly written. One thing really jumped out at me though. You say it is “part memoir and part fictionalized account’ but then go on to say it is a ‘true story’. I suspect you need to pick one or the other? Based on a true story?
Hello,
I was doing a search on my name, Jennifer Swan, and found out there are many of us out there. But not so many with our similarities, I suspect.
I was born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, was raised Catholic and, well, I write!
Just thought I’d drop a line and say “hello” – Jennifer
http://MaidenShade.com
http://MaidenShade.net
http://StudioCygne.us
That’s awesome – it is great to meet another Jennifer Swan! And it is even more impressive that you like to write as well. 🙂 We should keep in touch. What kind of writing do you do? Are you still in MN?
I’m your first cousin and found your sight when doing a little more digging on our grandfather. You’re a brave girl. I too have been both inquisitive and hesitant to know more of just what happened and why. I’m trying to apply some of the knowlege from his book to what’s happening today. I will be reading more on your website, as I just came acrossed it.
Dear Ms Swan
Could you please contact me via the email address I left when leaving my comment.
I’ll also send you a direct message via Twitter with my email address.
Kind regards
Belinda D’Alessandro