Creative writing - Mike Sanders 2014

Making the most of query letters
Finding agents and publishers
Getting published

Once you have a list of agents you think will be good for your work, send a query letter to each one. A good practice is to send five letters at a time, with each letter tailored to the specific agent you’re querying. A query letter to an agent should be extremely well written and very brief—only three paragraphs that take up less than one page.

DEFINITION

A query letter is an inquiry to an editor that contains a description of your writing and is designed to facilitate the editor’s interest in your work.

In the first paragraph of the letter, explain why you are contacting the agent and why him or her specifically. In the second paragraph, give a three- or four-sentence synopsis of your book. Avoid going into detail about the twists and turns of the plot. In the third paragraph, include a short bio, offering information about yourself that pertains to your work or your writing skills. Close the letter with a direct statement of your ultimate purpose, expressing that you’d like to send the agent your manuscript.

Queries sent directly to publishers are somewhat more involved because you need to cover much of the territory that an agent would.

Open your publisher letter with a compelling statement of fact, an interesting anecdote, or another hook that will grab the editor’s attention and separate your letter from the many others he or she receives every day. As a writer, you might prove skilled at this challenge, but remember that the editor knows absolutely nothing about your manuscript, so your opening sentences must adequately and accurately capture the essence of your work.

IDEAS AND INSPIRATION

Editors who are honest sometimes boast about not reading past the third line of a query letter, so the ability to grab their attention right away is paramount. If you don’t, the rest of your letter doesn’t matter.

After the opening hook, segue into the title of your manuscript and a very short description of what it’s about. Basically, you must condense your entire manuscript into two paragraphs so the entire letter fits on one page. Hit the high, unique points while revealing the purpose and tone of the manuscript, and choose accurate and vibrant words. If you don’t convey enthusiasm for your manuscript, the editor might wonder why he or she should.

Then explain—again, briefly—why your manuscript would be of interest to the publisher’s readers. This is your chance to demonstrate that you’ve done your research and impress the editor with your knowledge of the publisher. It’s all about selling to readers, so be sure to cite parallel demographics, such as age and gender, and other factors that might apply. Your manuscript should come across as a perfect match for the publisher’s needs. Not only should it seem promising but also necessary and profitable for the publisher to take your book.

Next, turn to your credentials, focusing first on any previous publishing credits you have. How-ever, be careful about this. If your other books haven’t sold well, consider listing relevant magazine publication instead. And if this is your first manuscript, include your educational credentials instead.

Other than a prior strong book-selling record, the most important factor is establishing your credibility about the subject matter, including any on-the-job, public-speaking, or teaching experience. Stay focused, and don’t include any information that’s not relevant to your manuscript.

Assure the editor that you’re happy to answer any questions about your manuscript. This is a small but important point because it conveys your willingness to entertain and discuss changes. Most all manuscripts undergo changes of some sort, and some writers are more willing to perform them than others. Editors sometimes can be reluctant to work with stiff curmudgeons, regardless of how promising the manuscript might seem.

At the end of your letter, thank the editor for his or her time and consideration, and state that you look forward to hearing from them.

Before you send anything, spend at least a couple days proofreading and editing your letter ruthlessly. Editors have been known to discard entire manuscripts because a cover letter contains one misspelling. This response might seem severe, but there’s some truth in an editor’s fear that a writer who submits a sloppy cover letter will also submit a sloppy manuscript.