| The query letter is simply a business letter that | | | | any writer's groups or associations of which |
| serves a dualpurpose. It is an introduction of you | | | | youare a member. However, only relate |
| to an agent, and an inquiryas to whether the | | | | information that is pertinent to yourwriting and |
| agent would be interested in seeing a | | | | the particular work you are promoting - do not |
| particularpiece of your work. The query letter is | | | | include personalinformation. |
| the first "picture" an agentwill have of you and | | | | In the third part of the Query you should mention |
| your work; and is perhaps your strongestselling | | | | whether the work is inprogress or completed |
| tool. | | | | (rule-of-thumb: everything except non-fictionshould |
| Why the query letter? Basically it serves to save | | | | be in completed form.), when you can have it in |
| time. Agents andpublishers simply do not have the | | | | the agent's hands,and your contact information. |
| time to read unsolicited manuscripts,and it is | | | | Suggest he/she contact you either bytelephone |
| certainly a waste of your time (and money) to | | | | or by the enclosed SASE (always enclose a |
| make copies andsend manuscripts out to | | | | SASE, this is acourtesy most editors insist upon.), |
| numerous agents knowing that most, if not all,will | | | | whichever is most convenient. |
| be sent back, left unread or perhaps discarded. | | | | Go over your letter with a fine-tooth-comb. You |
| So how do theseopposing forces finally meet up? | | | | don't want any typo's,or wrong information; and |
| The query letter! | | | | make sure you haven't left out any |
| Keep in mind the query letter is a sales tool. You | | | | pertinentinformation. Your first impression must |
| will be selling yourselfand your work and you must | | | | be a good one - aprofessional one. |
| do so in a polite and professional manner - butsell, | | | | If you want to know how soon you will get a |
| you must! | | | | response, it depends onthe agent and his/her |
| A good query letter has three basic parts. The | | | | backlog. It could be anywhere from two to |
| first paragraphs focus onselling the work. This | | | | sixweeks, possibly more - which is why you |
| part should be thorough and convincing, yetbrief | | | | query many agents rather thanwaiting for an |
| (not always easy to do). It should contain the | | | | answer from one before sending to another. This |
| type of work yourpresenting, where and when it | | | | isnormal practice. If, however, several agents ask |
| is set, and a general idea of the plot. | | | | to see your manuscriptyou should not send it to |
| The second part of your letter should be spent | | | | more than one at a time. At this point in |
| selling yourself. Listyour writing credits and any | | | | theprocess you should have spoken with the |
| information pertinent to that particular work. | | | | agents and made a decision asto who you feel |
| If you do not have any writing credits, explain | | | | would be best suited to your needs. |
| your expertise with thesubject matter. Mention | | | | |