Demystifying the Query Letter with Rebecca Strauss
A query letter is a one page, 200-450 word/3-5 paragraph letter that explains the premise of your book, including important plot points, and the main characters. Keep it SHORT & SWEET!
PARTS OF A QUERY
Book’s title, genre/category, word count (AKA, the opening)
Hook: the description of your story; 150-300 words
Bio: about you, 50-100 words
Thanks: around a sentence
OPENINGS
Strongest selling point.
Referral?
Conference request?
Start w/ the story
“[Title] is an 80,000-word contemporary romance...”
Awards or MFA from a well-known school (LIKE EMERSON!! ;) ;)
Many writers don’t have referrals/conference meetings; so the story becomes the lead for the query.
QUESTIONS ON OPENINGS
Do you personalize the query letter?
Shows you did your research—if it’s done meaningfully. You can reference one of their client’s books that you love/that’s like your book. If it’s just – I saw that you rep X genre, you can skip.
When identifying the book you’re selling, how do you approach it?
Your book’s title, word count, and genre can be stated up @ the beginning or the end of the query. Personally, I prefer the beginning of the letter because it immediately grounds me.
Title. You don’t have to state the title is tentative.
Word count. (Do your research on what’s industry standard for your genres...) **And, round-- don’t be precise re: the exact word count. ~ 92,000 words.
Genre.
Talk about comp titles.
Helping an agent envision where your book might sit on the shelf is SO valuable. Include two comps, that have been published in the last 2-3 years is FABULOUS. They should not be category killers (HARRY POTTER, etc...), but they should have sold well. Can also include TV/movie as a comp—along with the books.
HOOK
Describing your story (the hook). Here are a couple formulas that can help you get started.
Who is your main character (protagonist)?
What problem do they face?
What are the choices they must make? What tension drives the story forward?
or maybe…
What does your character want?
Why do they want it?
What keeps them from getting it?
A good hook balances character and plot. By the end of the query, the reader should have an idea of why we care about the main character(s) but also the story problem or tension that keeps us turning pages.
WHAT ARE SOME RED FLAGS IN YOUR HOOK?
Does your hook run longer than 300 words? You may be going into too much detail.
Does your hook mention more than three characters? Usually you only need to mention the protagonist(s), a romantic interest or sidekick, and the antagonist.
Does your hook get into minor plot points that don’t affect the choices the protagonist makes? Do you really need to mention them?
Does your hook talk about the story, rather than telling the story?
Don’t get bogged down in how you wrote the book or what its themes are.
Focus on what happens instead.
BIO
Will it be meaningful—or charming—to the agent?
Publication credits. Be specific about your credits. If you have no fiction writing credits, you don’t need to state that you’re unpublished. If you have a long publishing history, just list the ones you’re most proud of or the ones most relevant to what you’re pitching.
Your profession. If your career lends you credibility to write a better story, by all means mention it briefly.
Writing cred. Mention any writing-related degrees you have, any major professional writing organizations you belong to, and possibly any major events/retreats/workshops you’ve attended to help you develop your career as a writer.
Special research. If your book is the product of some intriguing or unusual research, mention it. These unique details can catch our attention!
Major awards/competitions.
You’re mainly getting judged on the story premise, not your bio.
What you should avoid saying:
Don’t talk about starting to write when you were in second grade.
Don’t talk about how much you’ve improved your writing in the last few years.
Don’t talk about how much you enjoy returning to writing in your retirement. Just mention a few highlights that prove your seriousness and devotion to the craft of writing.
TONE/VOICE
If your bio can reveal something of your voice or personality—GREAT!! While the query isn’t the place to digress or mention irrelevant info, there’s something to be said for expressing something about yourself that gives insight into the kind of author you are. Charm helps.
Common questions:
Does your query have to address market concerns?
No. Don’t be tempted to elaborate on the audience or market for your novel. Non-fiction writers do have to talk about market concerns. However, when it comes to selling fiction, you don’t talk about the trends in the market, or about the target audience. You sell the story.
Do you need to discuss your marketing plan or platform?
No. Sometimes you might mention your website or blog, especially if you feel confident about its presentation. The truth is the agent is going to Google you anyway.
b. While having an online presence helps show you’ll be a good promoter of your work—especially if you have a sizable readership already—it doesn’t say anything about your ability to write a great story. That said, if you have 100,000+ fans/readers on Wattpad or at your blog, that should be in your query letter.
CLOSE
You don’t have to state it’s a simultaneous query unless the guidelines ask. Everyone assumes it. NO EXCLUSIVES!!
If your manuscript is under consideration at another agency, then mention it if/when the next agent requests to see your manuscript.
If you have a series in mind, you can say, “This is the first in a planned series.”
Resist the temptation to editorialize. This is where you proclaim how much the agent will love the work, or how exciting it is, or how it’s going to be a bestseller, etc... Basically, avoid directly commenting on the quality of your work (whether that’s to flatter or criticize yourself).
Thank the agent, but don’t be too grateful. LOL. ;)
Include your email address.
TO ANSWER A FEW MORE QUESTIONS…
So what should you not include?
Your many years of effort and dedication
How much your family and friends love your work
How many times you’ve been rejected or close accepts
How much money you’ve invested in editors or editing
What should you be looking for re: agents?
Do they rep your genre and are they taking on new clients? Do they have a good rep? ;)
Where can you find good info on agents?
Agency websites w/ sub guidelines
