Poll - What Goes in a Query Letter?

[G Allen]

I did not know how to create the poll within the group, so I have this link (within goodreads.com). Please click the link to take the poll on what type of synopsis goes into a query letter to agents.

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...

My apology everyone. I am in the Philippines and set this to start today at 8:00 AM… Pacific time. I'm 15 hours ahead of that, so… This won't start for several hours in the States. Sorry.

[Talia]

Hi,

I'm not sure why you need a poll rather than just opinions and suggestions. Here is mine:

In the body of the query letter, after the introduction (why you're writing to this specific agent and what are your qualifications,) I include one brief paragraph about the the book, ending it with a hook that whets the appetite. (Add: "See below/see attached summary.")

Then in a separate page--or at the bottom of the email after the signature--I include a 1/2 page long summary of the book. This is where you can use superlatives, not about you but about the hero or the action (e.g. "the most amazing battle in history.")

Good luck!

Good luck.

[Susan]

The Query Tool you use will tell you or the agent website.
These are the typical Necessary Parts:
1. The query. Not a synopsis.
- It starts with title, word count, genre, a bit of color.
- Then the Hook, the Cook, the Book. The Hook tells the reader WHEN the critical thing happened, WHAT happened that made WHO take action. 3 paragraphs, usually.
2. Comps (some people like this at the top)
3. Bio (Same)
4. Additional parts often asked for but not always. Have these ready to add on:
- Actual synopsis 400-1,000 words. Includes the ending.
- First pages: first 10 pages, first 30 pages, first 1 chapter, first 3 chapters, etc.

[J.]

A query letter should be no more than one page or e-mail equivalent. If the publisher or agent places on their website a particular template they prefer, follow that. Some may ask only for a query, some may ask for a chapter or more.
Here is the layout I have successfully used in the past:
Salutation-
Open with a compelling passage from the book
A brief what's-it-about
Your credentials, previous published work or any work history that's relevant to the material.
The manuscript (refer to it by title) is (number of) pages and is available on request.
Thank them for their time,
VTY