How do you write a Query Letter?
Where do I begin? I have read so many books and articles regarding this subject. I have written close to a hundred queries for various books following twenty different guidelines. If you are like me and have scoured the internet, various blogs and post, and hunted down any scrap of helpful advice you could find then you are probably as lost as I was. Even with all the information, you still have no idea how to really write a query letter.
What advice is right what is wrong? How exactly am I going to go about this? How do I fix the problems in my query letter?
So, here we are. I am going to give you MY advice. Have I submitted any queries yet? And has an agent contacted me? No. But, I am terrific at taking feedback from a hundred people and eliminating what is helpful and what is one person's opinion. This is how I got JUST FOR KICKS moved up from #5500 to the #90 on Authonomy (before I put it out of commission) and made it a great novel.
Keep it short
This is actually the best advice on here. DO NOT exceed your one page and three paragraphs of your query letter NO MATTER WHAT. The only exception is if you have 100 major awards and publications worth mentioning as credentials. I don't care if you want to talk about your dog or how all 1000 of your Facebook fans love it. DON'T DO IT! Three paragraphs, one line for addressing, one line for ending it, and your contact information.
For the love of Pete, DO NOT RAMBLE
Save your life story for when you meet an agent. AFTER you have been signed. When you write your query, do not put anything personal in it. When they say the last paragraph is about you, and you should put in any information about yourself. This DOES NOT MEAN tell them about your life, it actually means your writing credentials. And if you really don't have anything good to say, say nothing at all (See, your mother was right all along). If you have no published titles (self-published does not count) say "I am an unpublished author hoping to make this(insert book title) my debut novel."
Do not ramble in your synopsis-blurb-pitch whatever you want to call it. Don't do it. If you don't know how to write one, never fear, that is the next point. But, please, PLEASE do not act like you are speaking to a friend of family member and ramble about your book.
The opening line
Yes, do NOT put "Dear Agent", "To Whom it may concern", or leave it out. PUT THEIR NAME! "Dear MR. Trolly" "Dear Heather Bunt". If they have a name, put it down. Mass queries are not looked upon fondly.
The first paragraph
You have a first impression, make it good. Everyone likes a ego stroke, NO ONE likes a kiss ass. DO: "Mr Trolly, I am querying you because you represent Henry Bates and his novel PICKLED FEET. I feel you would be a terrific choice for representation.....blah, blah, blah." DON'T: "Dear Heather Bunt, I read your blog every day and follow you via Twitter, my twitter name is @CrazyxBookxLady I would love to be represented by you........"
An agent will be impressed that you did your research and know about them as a business representative. If you expect an agent to get to know you, take the time to get to know them. But if you come across as an obsessed fan and desperate for representation, it will be a turn off. Agents do not want to sign someone who has a crazy personality, bad attitude, or turns them off. They have to work with you for quite long time, after all. If you could choose your co-worker, would you choose a nut? No? Me either.
Continue with: "My novel STINKY SARAH is 55k words and is MG fiction."
Second Paragraph
This is the most important paragraph. Well, as far as most agents are concerned. This is where your pitch will be. Three sentences, this is all you get. You can cheat, sure and make the sentences run-on-ish, but DO NOT put more than THREE. (Yes, I must capitalize all important words, because otherwise it wouldn't sink in.)If you have problems narrowing down the content of your pitch, use this outline:
First sentence: Introduce your character and describe the problem your character has.
Second sentence: Introduce plot. What must your character do to change their circumstances.
Third sentence: The climax. What happens that changes everything and makes it all worse where it could go really great, or really wrong? But do not give away the ending.
You must write this with the same style and voice you have written your book in. Why? Because this is how the agent will know what to expect if they ask for sample pages. Do not put in other names of characters or subplots, that is not important.
Third Paragraph
This is where your credentials go. Only put the major ones. There really is no format for this, just list them.
The End
Conclude this all with a nice, "Thank you for your time and consideration." This is not necessary, but is welcomed.
So, I hope this has helped in some way. I know there is much more i could elaborate on this subject, but I didn't want to create a post that would take someone an hour to read. By the way, I'll be sure to post my query letter and what success, if any, comes from it. Thanks for reading!
What advice is right what is wrong? How exactly am I going to go about this? How do I fix the problems in my query letter?
So, here we are. I am going to give you MY advice. Have I submitted any queries yet? And has an agent contacted me? No. But, I am terrific at taking feedback from a hundred people and eliminating what is helpful and what is one person's opinion. This is how I got JUST FOR KICKS moved up from #5500 to the #90 on Authonomy (before I put it out of commission) and made it a great novel.
Keep it short
This is actually the best advice on here. DO NOT exceed your one page and three paragraphs of your query letter NO MATTER WHAT. The only exception is if you have 100 major awards and publications worth mentioning as credentials. I don't care if you want to talk about your dog or how all 1000 of your Facebook fans love it. DON'T DO IT! Three paragraphs, one line for addressing, one line for ending it, and your contact information.
For the love of Pete, DO NOT RAMBLE
Save your life story for when you meet an agent. AFTER you have been signed. When you write your query, do not put anything personal in it. When they say the last paragraph is about you, and you should put in any information about yourself. This DOES NOT MEAN tell them about your life, it actually means your writing credentials. And if you really don't have anything good to say, say nothing at all (See, your mother was right all along). If you have no published titles (self-published does not count) say "I am an unpublished author hoping to make this(insert book title) my debut novel."
Do not ramble in your synopsis-blurb-pitch whatever you want to call it. Don't do it. If you don't know how to write one, never fear, that is the next point. But, please, PLEASE do not act like you are speaking to a friend of family member and ramble about your book.
The opening line
Yes, do NOT put "Dear Agent", "To Whom it may concern", or leave it out. PUT THEIR NAME! "Dear MR. Trolly" "Dear Heather Bunt". If they have a name, put it down. Mass queries are not looked upon fondly.
The first paragraph
You have a first impression, make it good. Everyone likes a ego stroke, NO ONE likes a kiss ass. DO: "Mr Trolly, I am querying you because you represent Henry Bates and his novel PICKLED FEET. I feel you would be a terrific choice for representation.....blah, blah, blah." DON'T: "Dear Heather Bunt, I read your blog every day and follow you via Twitter, my twitter name is @CrazyxBookxLady I would love to be represented by you........"
An agent will be impressed that you did your research and know about them as a business representative. If you expect an agent to get to know you, take the time to get to know them. But if you come across as an obsessed fan and desperate for representation, it will be a turn off. Agents do not want to sign someone who has a crazy personality, bad attitude, or turns them off. They have to work with you for quite long time, after all. If you could choose your co-worker, would you choose a nut? No? Me either.
Continue with: "My novel STINKY SARAH is 55k words and is MG fiction."
Second Paragraph
This is the most important paragraph. Well, as far as most agents are concerned. This is where your pitch will be. Three sentences, this is all you get. You can cheat, sure and make the sentences run-on-ish, but DO NOT put more than THREE. (Yes, I must capitalize all important words, because otherwise it wouldn't sink in.)If you have problems narrowing down the content of your pitch, use this outline:
First sentence: Introduce your character and describe the problem your character has.
Second sentence: Introduce plot. What must your character do to change their circumstances.
Third sentence: The climax. What happens that changes everything and makes it all worse where it could go really great, or really wrong? But do not give away the ending.
You must write this with the same style and voice you have written your book in. Why? Because this is how the agent will know what to expect if they ask for sample pages. Do not put in other names of characters or subplots, that is not important.
Third Paragraph
This is where your credentials go. Only put the major ones. There really is no format for this, just list them.
The End
Conclude this all with a nice, "Thank you for your time and consideration." This is not necessary, but is welcomed.
So, I hope this has helped in some way. I know there is much more i could elaborate on this subject, but I didn't want to create a post that would take someone an hour to read. By the way, I'll be sure to post my query letter and what success, if any, comes from it. Thanks for reading!
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