Hey people – I’m part of a query workshop at LTUE on Friday at 10 AM. I’m putting this post together primarily as reference material for that event, but it should be useful for anyone writing a query letter.

General Advice:

• Try to keep it as close to 250-300 words as possible. Shorter = Better.
• I like to use a lot of spacing. Short sentences. Short paragraphs.
• Have a complete work to pitch if you are a debut author
• Follow the damn submission guidelines
• Prepare your favorite anxiety remedy. I like chocolate.
• Check out:
  • Query Shark 
  • Jane Friedman 
  • Google “good query letter”
• See my query that worked HERE 

Here’s the basic structure I used for my query:

1st Paragraph: Intro, or the Personal Hook

1. Personalize the Letter:
   1. Address it to the agent
   2. Have and mention the specific reason you are querying them
      1. Also, have a specific reason to query them
2. Intro your work:
   1. Genre
   2. Title
   3. Status (Complete?)
   4. Length in word count

2nd/3rd Paragraphs: The Story Hook

1. Intro your primary character(s)
   1. Use the same tone/style as your manuscript
2. Intro the scene/setting
3. Present the conflict/inciting incident
4. Dramatic statement

4th Paragraph: Summarize the theme

5th Paragraph: Info about you/your work

1. Compare your work to similar works, if you wish
2. Is this your first work, or do you have other published works of note?
3. Do you have some relevant qualification to be writing what you are? Mention it.
4. I chose to also mention that I’m working on the next book in the series to signal that it is not a standalone novel

6th Paragraph: If attachments or inclusions are asked for in the agent’s/publisher’s guidelines, mention them here and ask to send a full MS.

Sign off w/ your personal info

Good luck! Go query, my friends.

-Scott