On the subject of query letters

Motivation is apparently a hard thing to come by this past week, so I've decided that I will have slightly different goals this week. Writing goal for the week: achieve 65,000 words by Friday on my manuscript, and hopefully add to that over the weekend (maybe I'll even make 70,000). Publishing goal for the week: write at least one query letter.

I think the most useful advice that I have found on query letter writing has come from Anne Mini's blog, which contains information on all aspects of the writing world. Anne, I humbly tip my hat to you for your gumption, shown in assembling this abundance of information. Unfortunately or fortunately, whichever the case may be, I will likely never manage to read everything you have written - that's a lot of blog - but what I have has been encouraging and informative.

For those of you attempting to wade through the morass, here are some of the high points that I have explored. Obviously, there is the series entitled "Querypalooza" or something to that effect, which goes over the basics of constructing a successful query letter. However, Anne also provides information on such things as: "Query Fatigue," something I'm afraid I experience as a matter of course; negotiating with an agent; structuring one's manuscript and/or submissions; and synopsis writing, to name a few. All of her blogs are organized by subject or date, depending on your preference, and the links to the entries can be found on the bottom right side of the window.

However, for expedience, I will provide a brief run-through of query letters for those who are unfamiliar. I strongly suggest following up by reading through Anne's notes on the subject.

1) What are query letters and why are they important?

A query letter is what you send to a publisher or agent as a sort of cover letter for any additional materials they have requested. Much like a cover letter for a job application, the query letter highlights relevant skills or qualifications possessed by the author (have you been published before, etc.) HOWEVER, this is only one of the purposes of the query letter. The primary purpose of a query letter is to showcase your work.

2) What do you mean, showcase my work? What other materials? What?

Okay, let's take a step back. Each publishing house or literary agent that you submit your work to requires you to adhere to certain submissions guidelines. Often, they require a sort of preliminary submission, including but not limited to: a query letter, a synopsis, and/or the first chapter/few pages of the COMPLETE manuscript. And believe me, at this point your manuscript should be COMPLETE and EDITED, unless you are writing fiction. The query letter is the first thing that is read by members of the agency/publishing house (not necessarily by the person you sent it to either, they often have people whose sole occupation is to peruse query letters).

3) So what should go in my query letter, besides credentials?

Your query letter should contain the following important elements:
I. The information of the person to whome the query letter is addressed, including but not limited to their NAME, WORKPLACE, and ADDRESS.
II. The reason you picked said person to be the target of your letter (for example, you met at a convention, or you really like their previously represented works).
III. The reason they want to publish/represent your book. Be inventive - but realistic.
IV. What your book is about. This is probably the most important part.
V. Your own contact information. After all, you want to make it easy for them to get in touch.

As you can see, that's a lot of information to put in one little one page letter. That's right, one page. A query letter should be ONLY ONE PAGE. And it is important that your query letter be as well-written as you can make it. Read over it again and again to make sure you have the correct information, spelling, and grammar. Don't try to recycle letters, either. Recycling letters is bad. That's how you DON'T get published. Using PARTS of the letter over is okay, as long as you edit them carefully and make sure that that part of the letter matches the original pieces which will, inevitably, be there - if you're writing a decent query letter, that is.

As you can see, it's a lot of work to generate that tiny document. You will likely have to do it over and over. But in the end, hard work and perseverance are the loam from which success springs. Best of luck!!