Query Letter

Query. A good word for Scrabble and that troublesome “q”? Webster’s Dictionary defines query as a question or inquiry. Hence a query letter is one you write to ask (and convince) an agent or an editor to take a look at your story.

First you have to research which agents and publishers would be interested in your kind of story. This is important--sending a query on a romance to a children’s book agent or publisher not only wastes time but is unprofessional. Make certain of the spelling of the person’s name --accuracy and good impressions count. Use a current Writer’s Market or agent/publisher web sites to learn which agents and publishers accept your genre. Address your query to a specific person. Double check to avoid disreputable agents or publishers--Preditors and Editors is one site. http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/pubagent.htm

Homework done, you’re ready to write. Remember that this is a business letter/query. You have one single spaced page, at most one and a half pages to obtain a request for your manuscript. Here are some suggestions--there are no hard and fast rules as to how many paragraphs you need. Start with a letterhead or:

Your address (Use left alignment and a business-like font)
City, State zip
Phone
Email

Date

Agent or editor name
Agency or Publisher
Address
City, State zip

Dear Ms. or as the case may be Mr. Last Name:

First Paragraph: I start this paragraph with a one sentence hook about my story. To roughly quote Moira Allen at http://www.writing-world.com/basics/query.shtml (query information for magazine articles but much there applies to books.) “There are several hooks: The Question. Often, this is a problem/solution or informative hook posed as a question, such as: What would you do if...? The attention-grabber. The goal of this type of hook is to make the reader sit up and take notice -- hopefully long enough to read the rest of the story." Include a working title, the genre or market (such as historical romance), approximate number of words, and thatthe manuscript is completed. (Put a blank line between paragraphs)

Second Paragraph: Give a taste of your book. Think of the blurbs on the backs of books you read. Introduce hero, heroine and the protagonist. Demonstrate the flavor of the story--show you can write well. This paragraph often determines a request or a refusal.

Third paragraph: Background and Experience or Qualifications. What about you shows that you are the best person to write this story? Give education. Teaching experience, or writing experience. If weak in this area keep it brief.

Fourth paragraph: Closing paragraph. Have a sentence about the inclusion of synopsis (jargon for a different blog--check how many pages the person you are sending it to wishes to see) and sample chapters (usually the first three.) Thank the person for their time. Do not set a time for a reply--patience is the keyword. Also mention the SASE --more jargon-- Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope (with correct postage for return of your material and/or a reply).

Sincerely,
Space for your written signature
Your full name

Some reminders:
Use standard good quality size white paper. If you use a letter head keep it simple and business like--do not use company letterhead stationary.

Make certain you have checked what the person your writing finds what they ask to see in a query.

Proofread carefully; perhaps several times. Spelling and punctuation errors, typos, coffee stains etc. will only decrease your chances of success.

Email Queries
Today many publishers are accepting email queries. Most of the same rules apply as for printed queries. One major difference is that your contact information goes at the bottom of the query, not at the top in an email. Check the agent or editor website to see what they wish to see in the query, if you can send synopsis and sample chapters, and what to put in the Subject line.

Most of all remember that faith in your story, patience, and persistence and then more persistence, faith, and patience are required. It isn’t unusual to receive many rejections before finding the agent or editor who loves your work. Keep fine tuning and resending new queries. If you don’t send them you can’t ever be published.
Fellow writers, what have I forgotten? What have you found works best in query letters?