In this article, we’ll be offering tips and tricks to write an effective query letter.
Many authors fantasize about the idea of having their books published and on the bookshelves of many libraries. Although the digital era has made it possible for many more authors to finally publish their work through internet platforms like Amazon, the truth is that every writer I know has at least once dreamed of being published the traditional way.
Being trad-published is not easy, though. It requires a lot of effort and persistence. You’ll need to self-edit your manuscript, look for a professional editor, and query literary agents that will get you a deal with a publishing house.
In previous posts, we’ve covered many of these aspects, but since the publishing world is wide and complicated there are still many topics we need to explain. Today’s focus: writing a query letter that will get you an agent.
Perhaps you think the most important thing that you’ll write as a writer is your novel, and you have your point there. However, what if I told you that it is your query letter what will make your dream of being read by thousands or millions of people come true? Or at least, get you started off with the right foot.
That being said, it’s really important to write a query letter that’ll outstand from the rest. And although this might sound challenging, and guess what? it is, we are here to guide you through the process and explain everything you need to know before writing your query letter.
Write a query letter they said, it’ll be fun they said…
As you could probably infer, the query letter will be your first contact with a literary agent. It’s a one-page letter sent to literary agents in an attempt to know if they might be interested in representing you and your novel or not.
A good query letter will provide basic info about the author, a synopsis of the book and hopefully catch the attention of agents enough that they’ll be looking forward to reading more.
Although query letters vary depending on different elements like who you are querying, the book you are writing, etc. there are other aspects that remain the same.
Basically, you need to squeeze all the content of your book into about 300 words, without overselling it, of course. Not easy at all! But I guess if you’ve written a whole book, it would be easy for you to write a decent query letter.
Tips to write a query letter
So this is when the real thing starts! How do I write a query letter that will get me a full manuscript request?
Since you only got one chance to cause a good first impression with each agent, writing the perfect query letter is one of the most important things to get an agent interested in your novel.
At first, it might sound hard, difficult, and perhaps even impossible, but it doesn’t have to be that way. If you follow our tips, you’ll be one step closer to making your dreams come true. So, without further ado, let’s get into it.
1. Follow their guidelines
This is really important, though sometimes ignored. Never send out a query letter before having carefully read the guidelines before. Not every agent will ask for the same thing. So be sure you are doing it right. The good news is that they will make it very clear. This has to be a priority for you. Actually, only follow any format tips we offer here in the event an agent doesn’t provide specific instructions.
Also, make sure you are querying agents that have clearly stated they want to work with your genre and age category. Do not query agents without having established, after proper research that your book is actually a good match.
2. Get the Layout right
I know this might sound basic, but it is not. Every detail of your query letter matters! And this is perhaps one of the first things an agent will see in a query letter. This means that you’ll need to be careful with aspects like naming the files you attach, as well as selecting the font and the format of your email. Discard handwritten query letters and fonts that don’t look professional. It would be advisable to go with Times New Roman font, Arial or something similar, do not ever use Comic Sans for goodness sake!
When starting the query letter always rely on the formula: at the top, your address, right justified, and next the agent’s address, but now left-justified.
In case they require any adjunct files, which they probably will, be meticulous. Name your file properly, E.g.: Alison in Storyland – Patricia Noche (first 10K words).doc. Keep the font size to 12 and your text color black, normal margins, 1.5 or double spacing.
3. Personalize your query letters
Agents receive hundreds and even thousands of letters every week, so they won’t probably read all of them. Don’t go with the “to whom it may concern” which will obviously mean you’re sending the same query letter to every agent in town. Don’t think about your own convenience when writing the query letter, instead, spend more time, but personalize them. This means, in first place, calling agents by their names. This will perhaps give you the chance of calling the agent’s attention.
The best formats to address your query letter are: Attn. Ms./Mr. Green, or Dear Charles Green.
Explain to them why you want them to represent you. Perhaps they’ve worked with books like yours, or maybe your book has something that you know that agent in particular would be interested in.
4. Be concise
A query letter should be like a skirt. Long enough to cover everything, but short enough to be exciting
Andrea Brown
No more than 300 words, or three to five paragraphs. We strongly discourage going for a second page. The point is being as simple and concise as you could possibly be, without letting any important info out of the table. So use short, clear sentences and paragraphs
Paragraph 1
In paragraph one, you should include of course the title of your book, as well as the genre and the word count. Word count is really important information, and in case you missed that post, I suggest you go there when you are done with this one. Also if your book has been edited by a professional you can include it here.
This paragraph is perhaps the most important one since it’ll catch or not the attention of the agent. So let the introductions for later and hook the agent with an astonishing first sentence.
In this paragraph, you can include also any connections you have with the agent. Perhaps he has worked with some of your favorite authors, or you have met them before.
Paragraphs 2 and 3
Paragraphs two and three are all about your baby… the story, the characters, and what happens. It’s sort of a summary of your book, but without revealing everything about it. Remember that our intention is to get a full manuscript request. A good query letter will include a synopsis that conveys all the important information and hooks the agent’s attention, leaving them wanting to read more
Pro tip: avoid rhetorical questions. For example, if you want to say “will they be able to solve the crime in 24 hours?” use a “now they must solve the crime in 24 hours” instead.
Paragraph 4
In the fourth paragraph, you can add your biography or any important information about you as an author. Keep this one brief, and try to make it no longer than two sentences. Be sure you only include relevant information about your writing career, or if you won any writing contests, if you have any previously published material, but always remember that it’s not about you, but about your book. Don’t be ashamed if you don’t have any previous meaningful credit, there’s nothing wrong with being an unknown.
5. Try to convey the tone of your narrative
Your query letter should evoke your narrative, so make sure you put a bit of your book’s personality into it. Be coherent, never send a funny query letter if your book is a horror novel, or don’t send a mysterious query letter if your genre is humor. This will also give agents the sense and spirit of your writing voice as an author.
6. Don’t oversell your book
Perhaps you think you’ve written the next best-seller, or an incredible novel. But never, and I mean NEVER, say something like “You’ll regret if you let this one go”, or “This is going to blow your mind”. I know this is your project, it’s your baby, and you’ve put your heart and soul in it. But, let me tell you something, modesty goes a long way, and it applies here too. Let your work stand for itself.
7. Close the query letter professionally
There’s not much to it actually, but you need to take some aspects into account to sound professional and leave a good impression:
- If you have planned to write a series this would be a good time to mention it. Don’t elaborate too much, but make reference to the fact that this is the first of a series.
- Do not mention you’re simultaneously querying other agencies unless the guidelines states otherwise. It’s understandable that you’ll be sending queries to different agencies, and in fact, we discourage exclusive pitches.
8. Be persistent
I guess this is one of the best pieces of advice that I can possibly give you. Writing the query letter is important. But I guess it is also important what you do with the query letter. Prepare your submission strategy. You can send them out in rounds, but the thing with queries is volume. You can send them out in batches of five to 10 (depending on the size of your list of agents)
Prepare to be rejected and don’t let that affect you. You will be rejected. Not a possibility, it’s called facts. Best-selling authors like J.K. Rowling, Agatha Christie, Sylvia Plath, and even Stephen King were rejected several times before their books were accepted. Thank God they kept trying; otherwise, we would have not read them.
Extra tips for writing your Query Letter:
- For physical queries include a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE), which will include your address and prepaid postage, for the agent to answer your letter.
- Once you are done with the query letter, edit it. Look for typos, grammar mistakes, or spelling errors that can make your letter look amateurish.
- Don’t be tempted to talk about the audience or the market.
- Study successful query letters. Check them out and take notes. You can find the query letters of many famous authors online
Summing Up…
There’s an indescribable pleasure in seeing the materialization of your work, in making your dream of finally being a published author come true. Although it takes a lot to get there, it is not impossible at all. And if you go step by step and don’t get overwhelmed, you’ll have the chance of finally seeing your name on the cover of a book.
Writing a query letter is an important step in getting your book published. It’s perhaps one of the most important things you’ll do to get into the publishing world so to say. It’s the door to finding an agent and therefore, it requires to be taken seriously.
However challenging it might sound, writing a query letter that will get you an agent it’s not a Sisyphean task. And if you follow our tips you’ll surely be one step closer to getting a deal with a literary agency. Just take care of the details, follow the guidelines, and above all, be brief! A great query letter can sell any book. So hit them with your best shot.
Did you find this post useful? Have you ever written/sent a query letter? Do you have any other tips? I’ll read you in the comment section below.
