Query Letters The Way to Get Noticed and Your Book Published
Why Bother? Agents take queries very seriously and really do read them Agents actually respond to ones that spark their interest Agents take queries very seriously and really do read them Agents actually respond to ones that spark their interest
What is it? A single page cover letter, introducing you and your book Has three paragraphs: Hook, Synopsis, Bio A single page cover letter, introducing you and your book Has three paragraphs: Hook, Synopsis, Bio
The Heading Your Name (Maybe a picture of your book) Your Address / Your Number / Your The Date Your Name (Maybe a picture of your book) Your Address / Your Number / Your The Date The Attention: Name of Agent Position in Company Company Name Address Dear ________:
The Hook One sentence introduction to your book Should include: Title Word-count Genre One sentence introduction to your book Should include: Title Word-count Genre Examples: House of Sand and Fog: When Massoud Amir Behrani, a former colonel in the Iranian military, sinks his remaining funds into a house he buys at auction, he unwittingly puts himself and his family on a trajectory to disaster; the house once belonged to Kathy Nicolo, a self- destructive alcoholic, who engages in legal, then personal confrontation to get it back. The Da Vinci Code: A murder in the silent after-hour halls of the Louvre museum reveals a sinister plot to uncover a secret that has been protected by a clandestine society since the days of Christ.
The Mini-Synopsis One paragraph summary of your book You can refer to: Book flaps in your favorite books Blurbs on the back of books Your own blurb
The Bio All about you! Only information about writing career. Agents don’t care where you work All about you! Only information about writing career. Agents don’t care where you work Awards Publications Degrees Current writings
Closing Thank the agent for their time and consideration. Nonfiction: tell them that you’ve included an outline, table of contents, and sample chapters for their review. Fiction: alert the agent that the full manuscript is available upon request. Don’t query agents until you’ve finished your full fiction manuscript. Agents will want to read the whole novel before they offer representation to you and your book. Thank the agent for their time and consideration. Nonfiction: tell them that you’ve included an outline, table of contents, and sample chapters for their review. Fiction: alert the agent that the full manuscript is available upon request. Don’t query agents until you’ve finished your full fiction manuscript. Agents will want to read the whole novel before they offer representation to you and your book. Be sure to include a SASE with your letter
Do’s and Don’ts DO Address specifically to an agent State the title of your book Mention word-count and genre Mention why you came to that particular agent: do RESEARCH The style should match the book’s tone Keep the letter to ONE PAGE Format snail-mail to business alignment and heading Have someone proofread DON’T Start by saying, "I am querying you because I found your name in 'such and such' writing guide or internet agent database“ Compare your book to other books Send gifts or bribes Use colored paper Shrink your font FedEx your query Apologize for being a newbie writer Include sample chapters Forget to include your contact info and SASE
Useful Additions Synopsis No more than three pages Summarizes your ENTIRE book Describe events that happen to the main character, don’t include subplots Synopsis No more than three pages Summarizes your ENTIRE book Describe events that happen to the main character, don’t include subplots Vitae Relevant education (not high school) Awards Writing Experience Publications Organization memberships