I'd like to start a conversation this week concerning novel and query letter writing. If you are working on a non-fiction piece, you, too, can participate, as sending query letters is part of your routine in terms of seeking a literary agent and getting traditionally published.
What is a query letter?
What is a query letter, you ask? Anyone who is a serious writer knows this is the introductory letter (email) sent to a literary agent whose services you hope to obtain. Why a literary agent? In today's world, publishers are much too busy to entertain manuscripts. In the past they have been inundated with solicited and unsolicited manuscripts. So today, publishers interact almost exclusively with literary agents to obtain manuscripts for publication, whether from established or new, "debut" writers.
The elements of a fiction query letter, simple stated are:
Introduction
Hook
Brief synopsis
Brief author biography
Closing
For non-fiction, it is recommended to query with an outline/longer synopsis before completing the manuscript.
Sounds simple, right? Well, it's not that easy. The problem is no one finds it simple or quick to whittle 350 pages or 80,000 words down to 300 words or less. The other issue is that the author should be writing the query, but they are too close to the book to be objective.
So the author is left alone to write his or her own query. Of course you can obtain opinions from other writers or non-writers but they don't know your book, and even if they have read your book it is still ultimately your responsibility.
Agents
And then there is the literary agent research and tailoring each query according to the agent's preference. In today's world, most agents request email queries but some request the author submit their query right on their website. There are a few who still request snail mail queries.
In researching agents, I keep a running spreadsheet with the agent and agency name, email address, web site, and brief information, for quick reference when I am ready to send query letters. It is vital to read each agent's requirements. Some have specific desires, i.e., to accept science fiction and young adult, or women's fiction, erotica, religious content, etc. Some agents are closed to querying. The last thing you want to do is query an agent who is not open to new queries or to query a young adult book to an agent who only seeks adult manuscripts. Some agents are open to debut writers. Agent preferences are almost always going to be outlined on the agency web site. Another thing to remember is never to query multiple agents within one agency. This is a huge no-no.
There are some other factors to consider, but I will save that information for another blog.
Open Discussion
What I would like to do is open a discussion about query letters and literary agents. Here is an opening question: What do you feel is the best way to go about writing a query letter?
Please provide your response here or write me an email.
I look forward to hearing from other authors! Thanks and see you soon!
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