The first thing to do in writing a query is to…not write the query yet. Give it some incubation time.
Rather than jumping into your query, take your time to force yourself to define–really define–the project.
You’re ready to write your query when…
- You’ve made sure you have a unique idea. You’ve studied your competition and can define what makes yours a standout.
- The title is enticing (and for nonfiction includes a strong subtitle; yes, you must have a subtitle).
- The book’s structure is shaped at minimum in your mind if not written down.
- You’ve defined your audience (“readers age 6 to 60” eliminates pretty much no one).
- You’ve given thought to how you’ll promote it.
- Ideal preparation: Write the proposal and first three chapters. (After all, the purpose of the query is to convince the agent to ask to see the proposal ergo, it helps to have said proposal ready to submit.)
Now you’re ready to write a winsome query.
Where not to begin the query
Your first sentence is important because, like for your book’s first sentence, it sets the tone, highlights a strong point, and launches all that follows with a great ta-da! Not over doing that sentence yet not being bland is the challenge.
I don’t respond well to promises of becoming rich by representing the project or to queries that suggest the book is the most stupendous story since Dickens. Never oversell!
But do begin writing a query with…
Your strongest selling point. Such as, you’re an authority on a topic;, tell me so right upfront. You’ve self-published the book and sold 15,000 copies in six months; I’ll want to hear about that. Your novel has a unique twist; tell me. For example, “Intertwined is a modern re-telling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.” Do you see how quickly I can decide if that idea interests me?
Be sure to…
- Show you are capable of writing a cogent argument for the reasons your book should be successful.
- Present yourself as intelligent and authentic. Avoid all appearances of being a snake-oil salesman. Agents want to work with people they genuinely like. Sometimes we can tell by the query that this is a person we’d enjoy meeting. Obviously, we’ll want to make a more substantial connection with a writer to confirm that sense, but this is what you’re striving for in your query.
But don’t…
Apologize. Don’t use sentence such as, “I’ve never been published,” or “My agent just dropped me,” or “I’ve submitted my project to every publisher I can imagine, and they’ve all turned me down.” Now, if an agent involves you in conversation about your project, you do need to be forthcoming about these issues, but you don’t need to address them in your query. These confessions come later.
Essentials to include when writing a query
- What the book’s hook is.
- How you can reach the intended audience.
- A brief paragraph about who you are and why you’re qualified to write the book.
- What genre or category your book fits in. (Shows you understand what you’re writing.)
- The word count. (Informs me as to whether you understand how long a book in your genre or category should be.)
- Don’t forget to mention the title. If that seems obvious, just guess why I’m listing it…
Now, just for fun, tell us the first sentence in your query.
TWEETABLES
Ready to write a query to an agent or editor? Here’s a step-by-step guide. Click to tweet.
What to include–and what not to include–in a query to an agent or editor. Click to tweet.
My dear agent, you should know
that if it’s me you choose to pick,
your income’s really gonna grow,
you’ll have that mansion really quick!
My book offers to all ages,
every race, religion, class;
it will be extolled by sages,
oh, dear agent, please don’t pass!
If you do you’ll have regrets,
hold your face in hands and shriek
(did I mention that my site gets
at least one new hit per week?).
And my former agent (what a fool!)
called me ‘egotist’…as RIDICULE!
Andrew, you are a master at wit and humor via poetry.
Thank you for making me laugh.
Blessings to you & Barb ~ Wendy Mac
Wendy Mac, thank YOU!
Well, the poem format elevates even an over-promising query. Who would have thunk it?
Sometimes, Janet, I have WAAAYYYYY too much fun.
Brilliant!
perfection with the humor, as always!
Dear Janet,
I’m not quite ready to query my memoir; however, your “for fun” challenge got me brainstorming. Here’s my tentative first line (All critiques most welcome.):
In writing my recovery memoir (It Doesn’t Hurt to Ask), I unearthed the dark thread running through my rough years of depression, eating disorders, and infertility that’s still common in many lives today: Fear I wasn’t good enough; and I discovered God’s golden elixir of healing.
Blessings & prayers for the forest fires to be put out ~ Wendy Mac
Wendy, good job on your first sentence. You packed a lot in without it feeling strained. I like that you told the genre, the theme, and the hope. I don’t know that I have any suggestions. Hooray for you!
Thanks for prayers regarding our wildfire, which still burns with 5% containment. I haven’t been able to go back to my house, but I do know that the fire burned a portion of my vegetation and right up to the decks at the back of my house, dealing with smoke damage definitely will be a part of my future. The firefighters chose to take their stand in the backyards of our street and only lost 2-3 houses there. The whole neighborhood was endangered. (My house borders on a ravine; many homes on the other side of ravine were lost.)
Thank you, dear Janet, for the update regarding the situation in your neighborhood. I’m so relieved for you and impressed by the work the firefighters did (and are still doing). A bit of fire smoke has moved back onto Vancouver Island. It’s reminding me to continue praying for my USA neighbors. I teared up when I read your reply. We don’t realize how much we value our homes until they’re under threat.
Thank you for your encouraging words regarding my first query sentence. I’m scrambling to scrape together as much courage as I can since joining a memoir critique group. As my daughter put it, “I must feel like I’m caught with my pants down to my ankles.” Yes, and now I’m trying not to trip over them and drown in my own perspiration. 🙂
Being scared doesn’t necessarily mean we’re on the wrong road. I’ll know soon enough.
Three twelve-year-olds discover a forest full of primeval monsters.
What could possibly go wrong?
Clever and catchy. If you could add the genre (fantasy I’m assuming), that would be helpful.
Yep, it’s contemporary middle grade fantasy!
American history in sound bites from documents spanning three centuries.
It might be nice to add something like “in just 260 pages” to give a sense of the size of the book. Also, I believe it’s “bytes.”
Good idea on the number of pages, Janet. 234 for the record.
My research says “sound bites” is the correct term.
Great guide! I think it will help writers of all levels. Although I’m a professional writer with a lot of experience, I still found something useful in this article. In general, I recommend reading!