Query Letters: Why Agents Reject 96% of Author Submissions

Did you know that the rejection rate from agents and editors averages 96%? Flip it around, and it can be said that only 4% of authors land an agent. Take a few minutes and read through Writer's Market and you'll see that right along with an agent's address is their acceptance rate. Read enough of them and you'll see exactly what I'm saying. The reasons for rejection can vary from author to author, but generally it comes down to these reasons:1. Problem: Submission guidelines were not followed.Each agent has their own, specific submission guidelines. Not following these guidelines will often put your query letter in the trashcan, either the virtual one or the real one, faster than a shooting star goes out of sight.Solution: Read each agent's individual website and their submission guidelines in detail. Do they want a query letter only? Do they want a query and 5 sample pages? Do they want a query and the first 25 pages? Do they want a query and the first three chapters? Do they only accept queries via e-mail or via snail mail? Both? Are the submission guidelines the same for e-mail as they are for snail mail? You won't know these answers until you carefully read an agent's specific guidelines. When you do, follow them to a T.2.Problem: Genre confusion. In dating, not all men like blonds and not all women prefer tall, dark and handsome.  With agents, not all agents want whatever genre you're selling. Sending a query for romance novel to an agent who only accepts nonfiction genres is a huge waste of time for both of you. This is an extreme example, but I use it to make a point. Hearing the name of a popular agent and submitting to them based on their reputation, but without finding out what genres grab their attention, will only set you up for rejection. Solution: Use resources such as Writer's Market or AgentQuery.com and perform a search of agents who represent your specific genre. From there, go to the agents' websites and verify that their bio matches what the resource says. Sometimes the agent information from an outside resource will differ compared to the agent's website. Always go by the agent's website.3. Problem: Let's Face It: Your Letter Sucks. Maybe that's a bit harsh, but in a recent informal survey I did on Facebook, 10 out of 10 people said they hate writing query letters, cover letters, and proposals because they're no good at writing them. They thought I was beyond crazy for actually enjoying it. Well, yes, perhaps I am a bit crazy for enjoying writing query letters. But, I mostly do it as a service to the clients I ghostwrite for, and I embrace the challenge. In one case, a client sent me her query letter that someone else had written for her. I won't reprint it here, in order to protect the innocent, but within the first paragraph I found multiple issues. Even more issues carried on through the entire two page query. Rather than feeling bad for her, I took the two page letter, scrapped 80% of it, and rewrote it to fit into a concise, one page query letter that she was more than happy with. In her case, it was fiction. Most of my clients are nonfiction, and I'll address that in a minute. But first, the solution to a bad query letter:Solution: A rock solid query letter needs a few components to grab the attention of an agent. The opening paragraph should not rave about how your book is the next (fill in the blank famous book/author). Instead, the opening paragraph is meant to stylistically make a pitch regarding your protagonist and book in a way that the agent fall in love with them. The second paragraph ought to provide the synopsis...however, and that's a BIG however, this does not mean you should include every little detail like the color of the protagonist's hair, what day of the week she gets her manicure, or all the friends she meets along the way. The synopsis is meant to express the plot and the essence of the obstacles she overcomes. Stick to the big picture details and the hurdle she has to jump that would challenge even Jackie Joyner Kersee. Inform and intrigue...those are your goals.The third paragraph is all about you. What relevant credentials, honors, and awards have you or your books achieved that's going to grab the attention of the agent? Do you have huge numbers (i.e. social media followers) that will make them pick up the phone and dial your number? In other words, why you and not the next author in their inbox?  Lastly, the closing paragraph should recognize their submission guidelines, state why you picked them as a possible agent, and leave them with an action to take...i.e. request the full manuscript. Then, sign off with a kind salutation, of course. Note: Be sure that all of your contact information is included: address, e-mail address, and phone number.4.Problem: Nonfiction is a Different Beast than FictionAs a ghostwriter, the clients who come to me want me to write their books for them. My first question to a new client is, "What publishing route do you want to take?" At least 80% of the time, they want to go traditional. In fact, all of my current clients want to go traditional. The reason I ask this question is because of the answer I know is coming, "I want to go traditional because..." What they don't know prior to calling me is that rather than hiring a ghostwriter to write their entire book, what they really need at first is a complete book proposal, three sample chapters, and a cover letter. A book proposal is made up of many components that I won't go into here, but I will say that they run at least 10 pages and have a number of sections that need to be written.So, the problem in this case is that they don't know that they have to go an agent with only three chapters, not the entire manuscript, and a complete proposal. Once the book sells to a publisher, the rest of the book is written.Solution: If a nonfiction author is going to go it alone rather than hire a ghostwriter, they're best served educating themselves on how to write and pitch a proposal to an agent. Then, go back to numbers 1 and 2 of this post and be certain they've done those properly as well! Alternatively, they can hire a professional ghostwriter to write their proposal and sample chapters. If they hire a notable ghostwriter, include their bio in the proposal, as it will likely bode well. 70% of nonfiction books are ghostwritten. Agents and editors expect a nonfiction author with a big platform to hire a ghostwriter for their book(s). 5. Problem: Spelling and GrammarI shouldn't have to state this, but I will because it still happens out there. If you're submitting a query letter to agents, be sure that all spelling and grammar issues are resolved. This industry thrives on the written word and your ability to master it is clearly what an agent wants to see. Typos are a turnoff. This isn't text messaging.  Solution: Hire a professional (not your Aunt Rose) to read your letter. A second pair of eyes is a must.  Following these guidelines ought to help increase your odds of landing an agent. Patience and persistence are a huge part of being successful in this industry. I'm sure you've read enough about all the big authors who were rejected, yada yada yada, but, it was their persistence that paid off in the long run. And, good writing!  *** Heather Hummel is an award winning, bestselling ghostwriter for public figures, corporations, politicians, and individuals. Her books have appeared on television, including: the Today Show and several regional shows; in newspapers such as: Publishers Weekly, USA Today and the Washington Post; and in magazines that include: Body & Soul, First, and Spry Living, a combined print circulation of nearly 15 million. Visit Heather's Websites:
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