Query letters do not sell your book. Query letters have one role in your life: to interest an agent or editor enough to request chapters or a full manuscript. That’s it.

The perfect query letter will not get you a book deal. Instead, it introduces your work to an agent or editor so they will read  your manuscript. It’s the manuscript that gets the book deal.

The query letter is a business letter. It’s not a love letter. It’s not a letter to a pal (unless the agent you’re querying is actually your pal). And it’s not the time to get cute with the hopes of making a good impression. In most cases, all that will get your query is the delete button.

With that in mind, let’s delve into the most important elements of the query.

Tips for writing a query letter

Based on my extensive experience in the publishing industry, I’ve found the query letter works best in three parts.

1. The introduction with pertinent information

2. The central conflict

3. Author bio or wrap-up 

Paragraph one of a query letter

The introduction does a lot of heavy lifting in a very short space. It’s designed to show the agent or acquisitions editor that your manuscript falls into a category they represent or publish. It usually includes the following: TITLE (all caps), genre, age range if it’s not adult, comparable titles (not all caps, but italicized), location, era (especially if it’s not contemporary), and word count.

For example: ALL WE BURIED is a contemporary police procedural that combines the rural atmosphere of Craig Johnson’s Hell and Back with the tenacious female protagonist of Linda Castillo’s An Evil Heart. It’s set in a small town in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State and runs 85K. 

The above example incorporates what’s known as “comp titles.” Comparable titles are books that share similarities with your manuscript. The similarity can be theme, era, protagonist, tone, type of central conflict, or any other clear connection.

Comp titles should be published in the last two to five years. If a comp title is any older, it may not be relevant to current conventions regardless of its popularity. If a comp title is any newer,  the book may not have a track record in terms of its success. Comp titles should also be published through either a “Big 5” publisher or an Amazon imprint. Note that an Amazon imprint, such as Thomas & Mercer and Lake Union, is not the same as self-publishing through Amazon.  

Paragraph two of a query letter

The second paragraph is tricky. Here is the place to explain the central conflict of the character, but not a plot rundown. If the agent or editor wants to know more, they will request a synopsis.

The central conflict can be thought of as the internal and external super-objectives of the main character.

For example: With her father’s death, Bet Rivers becomes the interim sheriff of her tiny hometown. Facing her first homicide investigation, she’s tasked with solving the murder of a Jane Doe to prove to her community she’s worthy of the title and decide  if she wants to keep it.

In that example,  I am not including plot points. Instead, I’ve identified what outsiders see (she’s trying to solve a murder) and her internal state (does she want the job?).

I can add a little more information to fill the material out. Consider this: With her father’s death, Bet Rivers becomes the interim sheriff of her tiny hometown. Facing her first homicide investigation, she’s tasked with solving the murder of a Jane Doe to prove to her community she’s worthy of the title and decide  if she wants to keep it. Meanwhile, her deputy is gunning for her job, her ex-boyfriend shows up in town after breaking her heart, and the prodigal son of the wealthiest man in town arrives, but she doesn’t know if he wants to help or hinder her investigation.

With this additional information, I’ve included some of the obstacles to Bet solving the crime and deciding whether to stay in the position or not.

The most important aspect of the second paragraph is to show the fundamental heart of the novel and identify what the protagonist grapples with most. 

Paragraph three of a query letter

For most new authors, this will be a short paragraph. If the writer has relevant writing experience,, including any traditionally published work, that can go here. Include the following as well: short stories or articles published with a legitimate publication (online or print); degrees in English, creative writing, or any field connected to publishing; jobs that relate immediately to the material f the book is about a CIA operative, and the author is a CIA operative, that would be relevant).

If the author does not have relevant publishing or education or career background, simply end the letter. No agent expects an unpublished author to have publishing experience. Less is more here.

Keep it simple with the sign-off. “Thank you for your consideration” works just fine. 

Query letter dos and don’ts

DO

·  Double-check the spelling of the agent’s or editor’s name.

·  Make sure to use the correct honorific, avoiding using Mr. for a woman, etc. When in doubt, it’s safe to stick to just the name: Dear Sam Smith …

·  Do your homework! Does this agent or editor represent or publish what you write? Did you follow their submission guidelines to the letter? Are they currently open to submissions?

DON’T

·  Submit when the agent or editor is closed to queries.

·  Submit to an agent or editor who does not represent or publish what you write.

·  Call or follow up about your query unless the agent states a “reply by” date and it has passed. In that case,  follow up with an email. Many agents state on their websites that no reply means no. Respect that and move on.

·  Send a manuscript when it has not been requested. Many agents request just a query letter, or a query and synopsis, with the first chapter or a specific number of pages pasted into the email. Only send what’s asked for. (But it’s appropriate to go over the requested number of pages in order to include the end of the sentence or paragraph. If your chapter runs over by a lot of words, find an appropriate place to stop).

There are many variations to the information here; for example, a work may have two protagonists, multiple timelines, or other complicating factors. But for most writers, following this basic outline can produce a winning query letter. 

In short

Query letters are a vital but often misunderstood element of finding an agent or publisher. It’s important for authors to understand what’s expected and tailor their query letters accordingly.

Elena Hartwell Taylor is the Senior Editor & Director of Programming at Allegory Editing. In addition to working as a developmental editor and writing coach, Elena is a published author. Her most recent novel, All We Buried, appears under the name Elena Taylor. The Eddie Shoes Mystery Series appears under Elena Hartwell. Prior to writing novels, Elena worked extensively in the theater as a playwright, director, educator, and designer. She has taught writing and theatre courses at the college/university level for more than twenty years. She holds a PhD in dramatic theory and criticism, a Masters of Education with an emphasis in teaching theatre, and a BA in Mass Media Communications. For more information about Elena, you can visit her website and read her blog about authors, new books, and the writing process. You can contact her at elena@allegoryediting.com.