How to Write a Query Letter for Novels
Sell Your Novel to a Book Agent by Writing a Good Query
Sep 18, 2009
So the novel’s finished, or nearly finished, and you’re ready to begin searching for an agent. This daunting task can be extremely frustrating and ego-crushing, but with the right query letter, there’s no reason the process can’t be a bit smoother.
What is a Query Letter?
A query letter is akin to a letter of intent mixed with a sales pitch that writers send out to agents (and sometimes publishers). It should summarize the novel being pitched, and do so concisely and effectively. As agents are very busy people, this letter needs to be instantly captivating and attention-grabbing, because if not, it will be pushed aside after a quick scan of the first paragraph.
Different types of writing require different types of query letters, so the following advice will apply mainly to fiction writing, especially in novel form.
Step One: The Header
Of course, this query letter needs a header. It needs to be aligned to the left, with the following information in its own line: Agent’s name, the Agency’s name, and two lines of address information. It may seem obvious, but be sure to get the names right, as making such a simple mistake could cause an agent to toss the letter away immediately, sensing that the writer didn’t do her research.
Step Two: Addressing the Agent
In the “Dear John” section of this letter, be sure to address the agent by his or her last name instead of the first. Using first names only can come off as presumptuous, so be safe with formality.
Step Three: Cut to the Chase
Jump right in with your first paragraph. Don’t write about yourself; write about your story. This will be the first thing the agent will read, so make sure to talk about the plot of the novel you’re submitting for representation. Talk about the main character and his conflict. Imagine the summaries on the backs of published books, those summaries that captivate potential buyers; that’s what needs to happen to the agent.
Step Four: Writer’s Introduction
Once the agent is captivated, she will be more interested in hearing about who you are. Give your credentials (briefly) and explain why you are qualified to write about what you’re writing about. If you’ve written a story about a character with schizophrenia, tell the agent how you are an authority to do so. Don’t let this worry you though; if you’ve written about schizophrenia, then you’ve probably done lots of research. Let the agent know.
Step Five: Why this Agent?
Finally, tell the agent why you chose her. If you haven’t already done so by this point, look up what other books this particular agent represents, and make sure your work fits in with what she’s looking for. Tell her what works she represents you like, and perhaps draw a connection from one of those works to the one you’re submitting. Don’t be too brown-nosy; genuine interest and compliments can go a long way.
Step Six: Contact Information
Once you sign “sincerely so-and-so,” be sure to include your full contact information. Give the agent your address, phone number, and email address. This information can go at the end of the letter, underneath your name.
Quick Tips for Editing a Query Letter
Once the letter is finished, final editing is always a good idea. Here are a few quick tips to consider when editing:
- If an “I” or a “me” appears in your first paragraph of the letter, take it out. The first paragraph needs to be about your story, not you.
- Go through the letter and look at the adjective use. Take out really broad, abstract adjectives, such as “beautiful,” “astonishing,” and “titillating.” If you must use adjectives to describe your work, they should be specific.
- Don’t use long lists to describe your story (as in “Mine is a story of adventure, intrigue, mystery.”). Not only can this be extremely vague, it can also bog down the agent and weaken your query.
- Check for self-deprecation and excessive praise. Feeling sorry for yourself in your query letter won’t help out in any way, and neither will putting yourself on an ivory tower. Be neutral and sincere.
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