| Your query letter can be a deal maker or a deal | | | | the same way I lead my suspense reader |
| breaker. So, if your query letter just lies there, | | | | forward in my novel (throw out something |
| you've killed the sale immediately or your story or | | | | fantastic, then slow down and build to your next |
| novel immediately. If you want that story -- your | | | | exciting piece). |
| baby -- to be read, reach out of that query | | | | Once I get to the part about how every fantasy |
| letter, grab the publisher, editor or literary agent | | | | football fan will race to buy my book, I follow up |
| by the neck and say, "Hey, you absolutely have | | | | by saying that it is the first-ever published work |
| to have this story!" | | | | with a plot that surrounds this exciting game. I |
| Query letters that begin with "Hello, My name is. . | | | | also throw in that in addition to these 15 million |
| ." have as much chance of selling as vacation trips | | | | fans, all sports and suspense fans will want to |
| to Baghdad. Remember, your query is like a | | | | read it because of how unique it is. |
| résumé's cover letter, and if | | | | Next, toss in a few key parts of your synopsis, |
| you're in a competitive industry, that cover will sell | | | | reminding the reader that the entire synopsis is |
| you far more than the resume will. So, you have | | | | included or attached, if you're e-mailing your |
| to grab the reader with your first sentence. To | | | | query, which is almost always acceptable today. |
| do this, make him believe that he desperately | | | | Note, what you decide to include should be hot, |
| needs what you're selling. Following are a few tips | | | | making the reader say, Wow. |
| on how to do it. | | | | Finally, finish your query by telling the person how |
| First, begin by saying why your story will be easy | | | | willing you are to be involved in the promotion of |
| to sell. Publishers have to sell books, so this is their | | | | your story. Don't oversell; just tell her that you |
| first priority. Remember, though, you have to do | | | | will do whatever it takes to make your book |
| it gracefully. Don't come off sounding arrogant. | | | | successful. When signing, don't forget a polite |
| When I was selling my novel, The League, I | | | | closing and all of your contact information. |
| started my query with I have a novel that has a | | | | Remember, no matter how good your story and |
| target audience of over 15 millions rabid fans. This | | | | your query are, it's still a game of sales. Send out |
| audience is people who play fantasy football, but I | | | | dozens of queries at a time. It won't be long |
| didn't reveal this until a few sentences into the | | | | before people start asking for your story or |
| letter. I wanted to pull the publisher or editor in, | | | | novel. |