If, as an author, you’re interested in publishing your books traditionally, you’re likely to need an agent. And to secure an agent, you will need to send them a query letter. Here are some suggestions to make your query letter shine. Before I go on, I should note that I am not an expert on query letters. On the contrary, I am writing this to learn how to strengthen my own query letters!
What is a Query Letter?
A query letter is a one-page letter you write to an agent to encourage them to represent you. Agents are the conduits to publishers, and except for the smallest publishers, agents are the only ones they’ll listen to. Your query is essentially a sales letter showing what you’ve written and why the agent should represent you and your work. And just like the first sentence of a novel has to hook the reader, the same is true for a query letter. The whole point of the query letter is for the agent to ask you for more.
The Basics
Query letters for fiction works and nonfiction works are generally different. For a nonfiction work the query is, in many ways, a proposal. That means instead of sending in a full manuscript (if requested by the agent), you’ll send in a shorter document. Reedsy notes that this will include:
- An overview-what is the book about?
- Target audience-who is it written for?
- About the author-why are you the one who should write it?
- Marketing plan-how are you going to help sell it?
- Competitive titles–what are similar titles on the market?
- Chapter outline-how are you going to structure your book?
- Sample chapters-can you actually write?
Reedsy further suggests that authors should only query agents when they can provide these answers.For a works of fiction on the other hand, the object of the query is for agents to request the full manuscript, which should be in its best shape before you query.
Essential Elements
Query letters contain certain elements for both fiction and nonfiction, many of which were outlined above. For fiction works, however, the query letter won’t include a list of chapters. Instead, it will contain a summary of the work. Making this summary engaging and unique is crucial if you want the agent to put your query into the yes pile as opposed to the circular file.
Other important elements for both types of works are competitive titles in the case of nonfiction works, or comparable titles for fiction. Agents need to know if there are a thousand books like the nonfiction book you’re proposing. They’re unlikely to want to represent you if you don’t have anything unique or special to offer. With works of fiction, agents need to know what our “comps” are. These are comparable titles. For Diaspora, I originally said that Mitchell Street was a combination of Peter Gunn and Shaft. For someone of my generation, that was great, since both of those characters are ionic. However, for an agent who’s less than fifty years old, not so much. In later query letters, I’ve identified two other comparable characters: Stephen Mack Jones’ August Snow, and Joe Ide’s Isaiah Quintae. And while I haven’t received a bite yet, these are better comps for my Mitchell Street character.
Why You?
Agents want to know what you have to offer. For both fiction and nonfiction works, a list of your publications helps agents know that you’re legit. You may also want to list your specific expertise that adds credibility to you nonfiction work. For my upcoming book Parenting a College Student, my query would include my forty years plus working in higher education, for example.
What Agents Say
Agents tell us that knowing a book’s genre early on, such as in the first two sentences, gives them context for what to expect in the query and about the book. This puts them in the right mindset regarding what they’re about the read. The simple truth is, anything that smooths the way for agents is a good thing. Other agents want the genre, word count and hook early on. Agent are also looking for a fresh approach to a book. Jim McCarthy said of Libby Cudmore’s pitch for The Big Rewind: “When people ask me what ‘high concept fiction’ is, I should just read them the opening sentence of this query. A mix tape as a clue to a murder? Sounds fresh. Definitely intriguing.” That was enough for McCarthy to request the manuscript.
Have you submitted a query letter to an agent recently? How many of these tips did you follow?
