What is a Query Letter? – A Guide for Self-Published Authors
It’s every author’s dream to publish their work. Whether you specialize in fiction or nonfiction, you’ll need to know how to draft an effective query letter. Query letters help connect you with potential agents and editors who show an interest in your work.
In this article, we’ll help you navigate the progression of query letter writing by defining a query letter and why it’s so effective.
What is a Query Letter?
As an author, your target market is not only the end reader but rather magazine editors, literary agents, and publishers. This one-page letter should spark their interest resulting in a request to invest more time in your manuscript.
Query letters are ordinarily submitted once writers have completed a manuscript for a fiction novel. In other instances, a query letter would be composed to establish whether the nonfiction piece you’re planning to write should come to fruition.
A query letter introduces you and your work to editors and literary agents. It’s your task to convince agents or editors of the wonders of your project, sending them smiling to the bank. Arouse them, making them ask for more of your work.
Book proposals are perfect for nonfiction authors, depending on the editor or agent. Fiction authors, brace yourself with a full manuscript or selected chapters from your novel.
Why Do Authors Need to Send Publishers a Query Letter?
Your query letter should stand out of the crowd, and your sales pitch should enthrall and amaze an editor or agent with your idea. This letter sells your manuscript before it’s been properly read and will help agents decide whether to invest their time in it.
It’s vital to fashion a concise and persuasive query letter.
What to Know Before Sending an Agent or Publisher a Query Letter
Do Your Research
You’ll want to target the right literary agent and editor, so don’t blindly enter the light. Search for agents who specialize in your writing style. Knowledge is power, so understand whom you are querying and why. Doing your research with prevent silly errors, for example, pitching nonfiction to an agent specializing in fiction.
WritersMarket.com holds detailed listings of agents and publishers, their contact information, submission guidelines, and much more. Writer’s Market books are available with listings of agents and what they are looking for in a writer, response times, pay rates, and writing category. It also mentions if they accept unsolicited queries.
What Is the Correct Format for a Query Letter?
The format is of the utmost importance when you need an effective query letter; it gives a great first impression. Take note of an agency’s or publication’s submission guidelines and follow these instructions.
Should the literary agent not specify their desired guidelines, here are some tips to get you noticed.
Use a Professional Email Address or SASE
Keep it clean and professional, and select a professional email address. Querying by the postal service? Send a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE), ensuring editors have your address to notify you of acceptance or rejection.
Use Industry Standard Formatting
Date your letter using the classic black ink on white paper and size 12 Times New Roman font. Include the editor’s or agent’s name and title, the magazine or organization’s name and address, and most importantly, your name and contact information (address, phone, email, and social network handles).
Address it Properly
Make certain you get the contact information correct, especially in the event of companies having multiple addresses. You can call the agent’s organization to confirm the details you have. Writer’s market books with detailed listings. Your spelling needs to be on point, and your accuracy reflects your writing skill and style; despite how excited you are to pitch, always double-check your spelling.
Keep It Concise
Agents and editors are under time constraints, so don’t waste their resources with more than a one-pager.
What are the Features of a Successful Query Letter?
You’re selling yourself and your work, which you’ve poured yourself into, introduce yourself confidently, humbly. Present yourself as a seasoned writer whom they want to publish.
The Referral
Personalize the referral in your query letter and directly address the agent or editor. Research them online to identify their specialized fields or prerequisites, and mention information you’ve learned in your query. For example, who referred you.
Include a Synopsis of Your Novel or Story
Your synopsis should incorporate the concept and particulars of your novel and its story or idea. Fiction writers mention title and genre, while nonfiction writers present their anticipated title and book category. Include a brief one-sentence outline of your anecdote and your final manuscript’s word count or projected word count of your nonfiction volume.
Include a Hook
The query letter hook is your chance to probe into the subject matter, protagonists, and plots in only 100 to 200 words. Fiction authors focus on the main character, the conflicts they encounter, and the setting in which it takes place. Mention one or two story highlights, but leave some things to the imagination, and don’t give away the ending right away.
You’ll want to touch briefly on how your piece stands out from those on the same topic. Your work needs to be compelling and attractive. In a fiction query letter, evade addressing minor plots or characters. Nonfiction writers may discuss the subject matter, their unique methodology, and the anticipated audience.
Include Your Author Bio
This one’s about you. Speak freely about why you consider yourself an expert on your chosen subject but keep your bio relevant. Nonfiction writers mention your academic background or research if it promotes the query letter. Remember your most recent related published articles. Show your understanding and connection with your audience through social media, including it in the bio.
Include a Closing Statement
Close politely, thanking the agent or editor for their time and consideration. Advise them that your materials are at their disposal should they choose to invest their time and attention. Remember to sign your query letter and include your contact information so they can get hold of you if need be.