The Fiction Query Simplified

The subject matter for this post is specifically geared toward those of you who write fiction, the genre and or sub-genres make no difference. This is not meant to explain a nonfiction query for the simple fact that I do not write non-fiction and do not feel myself to know enough about that type of querying to feel comfortable giving advice. I apologize for that.

Important Note: We as writers understand the necessity of feeling appreciated, so we need to take the time to remember there is NOTHING easy about an agent’s role in this remarkable industry. They get thousands of queries a year and most work very hard to not keep authors waiting. Take the time to be selective and make the opening specifically target the agents you think are the best fit for both you and your work. The only thing blindly blanket querying will get you is a waste of your and the agent’s time.

A solid query has three parts after the, “Dear (Your Chosen Agent’s Name)”. Always personalize your greeting, I can’t stress this enough. The first part is the introduction paragraph where you address the agent, editor, or publisher you are querying with why you are querying them, if you have a SPECIFIC reason (and if you do keep it short and sweet), and give the bare bone basics of your book. What I mean by bare bone basics is the title, word count, (rounded to the nearest thousand), the genres and or sub-genres, it’s specific points (male protagonist, multicultural, etcetera.), and REALISTIC comp novels. They will know if you are just throwing out famous titles based on your mini synopsis, which brings us to our next paragraph.

The second paragraph is a very short but accurate account of your story. When I say short I mean like back cover blurb on a novel in a book store short. That’s impossible you say…yeah I said the same thing. Here’s the skinny, most successful back cover blurbs give the reader just enough to get them hooked with as little reading as possible. The first line of your mini synopsis is your hook. It’s that line that makes the reader go Wow and makes them keep reading. After the hook your summary needs to be short, concise, and compelling. Present the problem/conflict, the obstacles or odds the protagonist has to overcome but do NOT give away the ending! Leave them hanging. The goal is to make them WANT to read your book. The perfect mini synopsis for a query should be no higher than 180 words from hook to hanger.

The third and final paragraph is likely to be the shortest as it is the author’s bio, unless that author has various literary accomplishments (honors, prizes, contest winner, etcetera). In your bio you only put what is RELEVANT to your career as an author and or the book you are querying. That’s it! Can you share a very short explanation of why you wrote the book you are querying? Yes but I strongly suggest limiting it to one or two sentences. Always close by thanking said agent for their time and consideration, remember this is a business correspondence and should be treated with that kind of professionalism. Close with an acceptable closing such as, “Sincerely”, or something of the like, and you name. Under that feel free to leave your email and your twitter handle or whatever other social media medium you use. Do not ever leave a link unless the submission guidelines specifically say so!

From start to finish you query should never be more than one page in Times New Roman 12pt (or some other equally professional font). If you understand word count better it would be in your best interest for the entirety of you query to be 500 words or less Now that we have the elements for a solid query letter outlined; I would like to share one of my very own query letters that has gotten me 3 full requests and 5 partials from agents, as well as 2 offers from publishers to date.

 

 

Dear,

Chloe Shipton & The Quill of Le Fay is a 63K, contemporary, YA Fantasy that features a unique magic system, relatable multi-racial female protagonist, complex layered plot, and strong historical ties. This novel will appeal to the readership of HEX HALL by Rachel Hawkins and CHAMBER of SECRETS. This is book one in a series.

The Magical Parliament guards a secret that’s killing students at a school of sorcery, and the only one who can expose the truth is a disembodied student who is dying. When fifteen year old Chloe Shipton mysteriously goes missing the rumors at Grammaire Hall point to murder, but limbo is not the same as being dead. As Chloe uncovers clues to her body’s whereabouts a secret starts to unravel revealing the presence of rogue sorcerers hidden within the school who are seeking to bring back the lost Third Edict. Destroyed long ago for unspeakably horrific crimes against humanity, the return of the Third Edict would spell disaster for both magical and magic-less factions. To prevent her own likely demise and the fulfillment of the Third Edict’s prophesied return, Chloe must find a way to reunite body and soul without giving the rogue sorcerers the one thing they need to succeed…her sorceress’s weapon.

My first novel, “Pinnacle” will be released straight to print on 2/6/2018 with (Clean Reads); however it is already available for pre-order on Amazon. Its sequel, “Eximius” will be out June of 2018. I wrote The Quill of Le Fay for my daughter who was dying to read a story about a sorceress that looks and acts like her. Since none existed I wrote one for her.  Thank you for your time and consideration.

 

Email: _____________

Phone: _____________

Twitter: @LynnVeevers

 

All the best,

Lynn Veevers