Query letters

[K.S.R.]

I'm posting this topic under how to write a great book instead of under marketing and promotion, because for those who write non-fiction, you can send off your query before you've even written the book. You just need the concept and outline.

So, any insights from you authors out there on how to write a good query letter?

[Catherine]

Write it, then rewrite it, then rerewrite it, and then some. Show each of the drafts to your friends.
I posted my own query on my website www.catherinedelors.com.

[Michele]

It's important to remember that the point of a query letter is to get the agent to want to read it. It should be tailored to that purpose. Don't worry about keeping the hook a mystery or anything. you need to describe what's the problem, why the characters don't want to be mixed up in it and what happens if they fail.

And leave out obvious things like "I'm seeking representation" and "this novel is complete".

There are several sites out there that post queries and analyze them. Evil Editor and Janet Reid both do it. Also there's the Miss snark Crapometer archives. Read a few of those letters and you'll start to understand what an agent sees every day, which will help you stand out.

[Pamela]

Actually for nonfiction, a query is not usually required. A proposal is what they want.

[K.S.R.]

Thanks for clarifying that, Pamela.

[Lena]

Kristin Nelson is a Denver-based agent who keeps an excellent blog on publishing matters:

http://pubrants.blogspot.com/

She's recently been doing a series on writing a good pitch paragraph for your query letter that started on April 22nd. Very interesting stuff.