Query Letters: Query Review Websites

Query letters strike fear in the hearts of many writers. The query letter has to have a hook to grab the agent's attention, summarize the book and leave the agent wanting to read more. Some aspiring authors find writing the query letter to land an agent is harder than writing their book. I'll admit I didn't understand how hard a query letter is to write until I started writing my own. Thank goodness writers have wonderful resources online to learn how to write a query letter, and the very brave can send theirs off to be critiqued before submitting to an agent.

In doing research for my query letter I have stumbled across some helpful blogs about the art of query letter writing. With so much information about submitting query letters available, it is hard to believe writers still get it so wrong.

The number one worst thing to do when submitting your query letter is to not follow submission guidelines. If the agent does not want paper queries, do not mail them anything. Most do not want attachments, unless they ask to read the full book. Look for guidelines posted on agent blogs or their website. Look it up and follow it to the letter before even thinking about submitting.

If you are really brave, there are websites where you can submit your query letter to be critiqued. This is not for writers unable to take criticism. Punches are not pulled in reviews, but most are not overly harsh. More importantly, good advice is given. Here are five sites I have discovered online where you can submit queries for feedback:

Query Shark is a blog is hosted by Janet Reid of Fine Print Literary Management. Janet invites writers to send in their query letters for her to critique. She will say what she likes, and what she doesn't like. One of the best things about Query Shark is Janet allows writers to correct their query letters and send them back. Some letters have been submitted three times before being declared a winner. What does a winner get? Some get representation from the talented Janet Reid, while others may be able to land a different agent with their carefully crafted query letter.

(W)ords and (W)ardances is a journal by Jodi Meadows, slush reader for agent Jenny Rappaport of the Rappaport Agency. Once a week, Jodi posts slush stats along with some query letters she reads as she posts. She includes her initial thoughts and comments in brackets. Jodi gives helpful advice on what works and what does not work. Be sure to read comments, as some readers leave helpful advice as well.

Miss Snark's First Victim is a blog by Authoress an anonymous victim of the infamous Miss Snark. Authoress will post queries to be reviewed asking for feedback from readers. Pay close attention to the Secret Agent contests. The Secret Agent contests usually run monthly and include a literary agent whose identity remains a secret. This agent will pick a winner or winners from query letters sent in to be judged. At the end of the contest the Secret Agent is revealed. Alas, the ever helpful Authoress's identity is kept secret.

KT Literary's Ask Daphne posts questions and query letters from readers. Literary agent Kate Schafer Testerman, aka Daphne gives feedback and advice. Much like the other links I have listed, you can send her your query to be critiqued by a professional in the business. You can also ask questions about agent etiquette such as how to handle multiple submissions if one agent asks for an exclusive. She also posts the cutest shoe pictures ever.

Pitch Parlour hosted by Miss Pitch allows writers to send in their query letters to be critiqued by their peers. Miss Pitch will give her advice and will appeal to loyal readers to post theirs. There are also interviews posted with agents, authors and other industry professionals. Miss Pitch points out she is not an agent and she is not critiquing your story. She is trying to help writers with their query letters so they can interest an agent and hopefully have the agent ask to read the full manuscript.

Before sending your query letter out to your favorite agent, why not have it critiqued first? Yes, it is scary to have your letter posted for the world to read. However, if you can perfect your letter enough to make these critics happy, you stand a much better chance of landing your dream agent. If you know of any other sites that offer to critique query letters, please leave a link in the comments section.

*Please note: The links I have posted are ones I have found in my research. If I have not listed your website it means I have not found it yet. Any agents reading, please do not throw darts at my query letter because I did not list your page. Thank you.