How to Write a Query Letter that Will Get You Noticed

A query letter, in the publishing sense, is one that is written to agents to seek representation or editors at publishing houses or magazines to ask them to consider publishing your work. Many such people receive a lot of submissions, so they ask for a query letter before you send your whole manuscript so they can decide whether they want to read your work. Because they read so many submissions, it is important to write a good query letter that will grab their attention.

Editors and agents receive a lot of queries and submissions from people who do not know how the formal process works, so simply having a well-written, proper query letter will put you at an advantage over some of your competition.

Important Things to Remember

Before you write your query letter, do some research on the recipient. Do they really seem like someone who would be interested in your work, and someone you want to work with? Do they have requirements for how this type of piece is written? Do they have instructions for what to include with your query? Follow their instructions to the letter.

Keep in mind that these are busy people. Be as concise as possible, fitting in all the necessary information without being overly wordy. Acknowledge this by thanking them for their time. Also, be sure to carefully proofread your letter! You will not win anyone over with typos and grammatical errors.

Writing the Letter: Get the Basics Right

Think of your query letter has having three main parts: a hook to get the reader's attention, the details that tell them what they need to know about your manuscript, and a brief bio that tells them why you are the one to write the piece and why the reader should want to work with you.

Start with the hook: a very brief and intriguing synopsis of the story or need for the article, as appropriate. Be sure to word it in such a way that will catch the reader's attention, but do not resort to tricks like rhetorical questions. This is a hackneyed technique that will make you look inexperienced.

Give the details: explain a little more about the piece, what you intend to do with it, how long it will be, how long it will take you to write it and what makes it unique from other pieces in the same genre. If you have agreement from notable people to do interviews or provide photographs, this would be a place to mention that.

Tell them about you: Here is where you will tell your reader about any publishing experience you have or expertise you have in the subject you are writing about.

Give Yourself an Edge

Editors and agents want to know that you have done your research and are not just blindly querying them. Address them by name (Mr. or Ms. and their last name). It is also a nice touch to reference their website or past works they have published in some way to let them know you did your research and still think they are the right place for you. Because you took that care, they are more likely to want to read more.

Publishing, whether fiction or non-fiction, is a very competitive business. Everything you can do to give yourself an edge can make a difference between a contract and a dusty manuscript, and writing a well-written, concise and personalized query letter is the first step in gaining that edge.