This is a collection of the best advice I’ve offered on queries at my website and in my books.
Introduction
What Is a Query Letter?
Before You Query
Know What You’re Selling
Universal Query Elements
The Query Opening
Personalization
Comparable Titles
The Closing
Things NOT to Mention
Novel & Memoir Queries
Your Story Premise or Hook
Check for Hook Problems
Bio Note
What NOT to Include
If You Have a Series
Nonfiction Queries
Before You Begin
Narrative Nonfiction Hook
Prescriptive Nonfiction Hook
Target Audience
Platform & Bio
Submissions
Advice for Email Queries
Submissions Strategy
After You’ve Sent Your Query
Adjacent Issues
First Pages
Conference Pitching
Hiring an Editor: Should You?
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👉🏻 Learn From Others
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- Agent Eric Smith shares many successful queries at his website.
- QueryShark, a blog by agent Janet Reid, remains one of the best places to learn about queries and how agents think about them.
- Mary Kole at KidLit offers sharp and informed guidance on queries. The advice applies to all types of work, not just children’s and YA.
- QueryTracker, a good place to research agents, has examples of queries that resulted in agent representation, aside from lots of insight into submissions.
- For nonfiction only: Big Five editor Eric Nelson has written some very frank and insightful posts for authors at LinkedIn. Start with this one: The Secret to Ideas That People Can Get Excited About
- For nonfiction only: Agent Anna Sproul Latimer has wonderful insights on writing an author bio for your book proposal that also apply to the query.