Query Letter Writing

Get to The Top of the Pile: Submitting an Effective Query Letter

Brought to you from the BookSurge monthly "Surge Newsletter" for self-published authors.

For some authors, success is defined by securing an agent or traditional publishing deal. Self-publishing can be a valuable stepping stone to achieving this goal through building readership and a track-record of sales. However, attracting the attention of agents and publishers depends largely on your ability to write an effective query letter, which essentially sells the idea of your book. Keep in mind that to be successful, a query letter not only has to be well-written, but must be submitted correctly. The content of your query letter is critical to demonstrating to the reader the quality and professionalism of your writing style. Your query letter should consist of four main components: a hook, a synopsis, a biography and a closing.

The hook of your letter is your opportunity to engage the reader by describing your central conflict or argument, its resolution, and what makes it unique to other titles in your genre. This brief and catchy introduction to your title should be further supported in the synopsis. Your challenge here will be to condense complex ideas into 150 words that are brief but descriptive. The best way to achieve this is to write more than necessary and trim your thoughts into a few sentences that effectively summarize your title. The biography should follow the synopsis, and it should give the agent or publisher a brief history of your relevant writing experience. Include any publication credits, writing awards, or elements of your personal life that give your writing credibility. The closing is your opportunity to thank the reader for his or her time and briefly explain why a partnership would be mutually beneficial. Additionally, let the reader know about your availability to discuss the project in more depth and offer to provide a copy of the manuscript or sample chapters.

There are a few rules and courtesies to observe when submitting a query letter that can set your letter on the top of the pile. The most important rule to follow is to observe the submission guidelines set by the publisher or agency. Certain groups only accept works in a certain genre or length. Some may require sample chapters of your book, while other agencies may forbid them. Carefully reading and accommodating the requirements of individual organizations will make your submission more likely to receive a fair opportunity to be read. It is also wise to wait until you've completed your manuscript prior to beginning the query process, should you receive a request for the book to be read. It is standard practice to have more than one query out for consideration at a time, but waiting for responses can be challenging. It is not improper to follow up with an agency or publisher once your letter has been received, but keep in mind the volume of letters sent to any given firm before calling or writing. Don't forget: patience is paramount when navigating the query process!