Query Letters

[M.C.]

I am not sure if this would be okay, but I was wondering if anyone else out there would be interested in a thread to help each other in perfecting our query letters before submitting to agents? I'm thinking we can post our story summaries part of the query letter, which should be around 250 words in length and just give each other general feedback as to its strengths and weaknesses. What do you guys think?

[G.G.]

That sounds like a great idea.
I would think that any kind of feedback/help would be welcome. :)

[Dionne]

Sounds good.

[Nicole]

Yeah, great idea! :)

[Claire]

I'm a little confused. You said story summary part. Are you referring to the synopsis or the query? A query is not a story summary, it's a hook. They are not the same thing.
I'm not trying to be snarky, just want to know which part of the query we should post, seeing as all agents ask for a query but not all ask for the synopsis. I think it's a great idea.

[Ann]

I think it's a great idea :D i look forward to reading them.

[Nicole]

@Claire a paragraph in your query should be dedicated to summarizing the book. Sometimes the agent requests a separate synopsis too, but there's always a 1-2 paragraph summary of the book in every query

[Samantha]

Just as an FYI, we got that query/first 500 word/cover art critique off the ground, if anyone who might want feedback on their query wants to participate. We're accepting the first entries for the first 500 words tomorrow through Sunday. Queries are happening in two weeks.

Here's a summary post if you're interested in participating, with links to some other blog entries that hopefully answer all questions:
http://www.saboviec.com/calling-all-c...

We need entries! We want it to be a community event rather than a contest. :)

[G.G.]

Question: Will it be allowed to critique even if we don't 'participate' by sending our 500 words?

[Nicole]

I think any and all critiques would be welcomed GG :)

[Nicole]

This is a good place too. It SUCKS writing queries- it just DOES. Any and all help is a good thing!

http://absolutewrite.com/forums/forum...

[G.G.]

I'm asking because I don't plan on ever sending query letters so it would be a waste of time and space (only 35 after all) if I'd do it. However, sometimes, (yes sometimes, not always) I have bright ideas/opinion that might help someone, yet I don't want to commit either because I may just have a critic-block-syndrome attack too. :P

[Samantha]

Oh, yes, critiquing of the entries are absolutely open to the public. We would love lots of feedback for the entrants.

[M.C.]

Great comment and questions guys!

@Claire - I totally understand your confusion. Let me get two points clarified first.

1. Writing query letters is painful and to be honest there are so many opinions out there on how to draft the perfect query letter that I'm surprised the internet hasn't blown up yet.

2. Let's not get caught up in the terminology. I've come across sites that will call that section of your letter where you are supposed to explain what your book is about as a synopsis, a summary, a hook, a blurb, etc, etc, etc.

So let me explain a bit more what I meant. A query letter has roughly 3 to 4 parts, notice that I said roughly. That is because, depending on who you're querying to (agent's guidelines), what you're querying about (book/genre), and your credentials (any relevant information about book or previous publishing) you will draft your query letter differently.

Let's call these parts:

1. Opening lines: greeting, introduction, personalization about agent, etc.

2. Synopsis/Summary/Blurb/Overview/Hook/That headache inducing part where you're supposed to talk about your book and leave the agent wanting to call you back immediately to request your full manuscript and offer representation.

3. Credentials

4. Thank you

I think that for the purpose of this thread we should focus on the part that will most likely remain the same through out all letters that we send, and let's be honest, it is the most important part of the letter. If an agent isn't blown away by the idea of your book, then your letter will be tossed to the slush pile.

Also, a query letter shouldn't be longer than 350 words (every single part included). This is average. So let's try to limit our submissions to 250 to 300 words max.

Any other questions, comments, or concerns? And do correct me if you noticed I said something completely wrong. I'm not perfect.

[M.C.]

Also, maybe we should start a specific thread with the rules for the submissions and critique. That way those interested don't have to read through all our comments to understand what this is all about. We could call it Query Letter Critique Group, and just have our submissions and feedbacks as posts, nothing else. What do you think?

[G.G.]

I think each query should have their own thread too because it could get quite a huge mix up if everyone write their query in the same thread and it would soon become a huge monster once people start giving their thoughts on them. I can already see that... read the post, check query... which page? 1-2-3??? scroll up and down etc. nah... Each query should be at the start of a new one to maximize the view.
What d'you think Bisky?

[M.C.]

@G.G. Good point. Should we create a new category then? Jut for query critique/feedback?

[Samantha]

I agree about having a thread per query. (And sorry, hope I didn't derail the thread too far.) I spent a lot of time on Query Letter Hell on the Absolute Write forums, and that is how they do it. It works well, and people can repost revised queries in their own thread.

[M.C.]

It would probably have to be a new discussions group where we can all create our own query thread.

@Bisky - would you have to set this up for us to start posting?

[G.G.]

Ok Topic discussion created:
Post queries here

[M.C.]

@G.G. Fabulous, thank you!

[G.G.]

My pleasure! If any one thinks of a better title or rules to add, just let us know.

[M.C.]

@G.G. Should we include a word limit? And maybe a request to only post the synopsis/summary/hook part of the query?

[G.G.]

Sure, what should be the word limit?

[M.C.]

I'm thinking 300, since query letters shouldn't go beyond 350 anyway.

[G.G.]

Thanks. Added the info in the Rule post.

[M.C.]

All right, guys. I'll share first. If you want to read my synopsis/summary/hook head on over to the Query Letters thread. Thanks!