WHAT’S IN A QUERY LETTER
Prepared by Anne
Tibbets
Donald Maass Literary Agency
Date
Agent’s Name
Agency Name
Agent’s Email
Dear [Address Agent by Name],
Paragraphs to be included within query, listed in no
particular order:
·
Personalization:
list why you have queried this agent specifically.
o
Ex. “I noticed on your agency website that you
are acquiring Science Fiction, and that you have an interest in Steam Punk,
therefore I’m querying you with my manuscript, Steaming Punk.”
·
Author
name and biography: Please include your name in your bio. The biography
need not tell your life story. 2 – 3 sentences demonstrating that you’re a
functioning adult will suffice. Always be sure to include if you have other
publishing credits. Self published counts.
o
Ex. “My name is Gertrude Pennyweather and I’m an
accountant in Anycity, AnyCountry. I write mostly Fantasy Romance, but enjoy
dabbling in political Thrillers. I’ve self-published two novels, “Elf Lovin”
and “Backstabbers in Congress.” I have two short stories published in [Name of Magaine]. In my free time I play
board games and knit sweaters for my chinchillas.”
·
Manuscript
Specs:
o
Word Count – NOT
page count [see Word Count Expectations worksheet for more on this]
o
Category and genre
§
Categories:
Adult (18+), Young Adult (14 – 17 years old), Middle Grade (8 – 13 years old),
Chapter (6 – 8 years old), Picture Book (0 – 5 years old)
§
Genres:
Non-fiction, General/Commercial Fiction, Literary, Science Fiction, Fantasy,
Thriller, Mystery, Horror, Historical, Romance, etc.
§
Sub-genre:
[if applicable] Steam Punk, Dystopia, High Fantasy, Post Apocalyptic,
Historical Romance, Women’s Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Magical Realism, Lite
SciFi, etc.
·
Pitch
Paragraph: A 3 – 4 sentence long paragraph that introduces the main
character and establishes the basic plot and major conflict.
o
Ex. Fellowship
of the Ring, Adult Fantasy: “Middle
Earth is a land of elves, wizards, dragons, and most importantly, hobbits.
Frodo, one of these unassuming hobbits, has stumbled upon his uncle’s magic
ring, but this is not just any magic
ring. It is THE Ring, which rules all
others, and it is greatly desired by the evil ruler of the land of Modor,
Sauron. Sauron dispatches his Ring Wraiths to collect the Ring and the hobbit
who carries it, while simultaneously releasing an orc army across all of Middle
Earth, slaughtering every man, woman, and child in their path. The lands of
elves, humans, and dwarves collect their bravest and best warriors to form a
fellowship with hopes of protecting Frodo and his trusted hobbit companions as
they travel across Middle Earth to destroy the Ring. But the Ring has other
plans, and it’s destructive powers may be more than some in this fellowship can
resist.”
o
For more
examples: See pitch paragraph samples in this packet
·
Inclusions:
Notify the agent you’ve followed submission guidelines.
o
Ex. “As you requested on your agency website,
I’ve included the first ten pages of my manuscript within the body of this
email. I hope to hear from you soon.”
o
Some agents will request sample pages, some
won’t. Some will want the pages attached in a separate document. Some will want
the pages pasted within the body of the email. Some agents will want queries
via email, while others will want you to go through Query Manager. The point is
that every agent has different requests in regards to their submission
guidelines. I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO FOLLOW SUBMISSION GUIDELINES.
Agents receive hundreds of queries a month,
by following their specific submission guidelines your chances of having
additional pages requested increase enormously if you’ve demonstrated you can
follow instructions.
Sincerely,
Name
Email address
Phone Number
