If you want an agency or publisher to give you a chance on your work of fiction and publish it on a global scale, you’ll need to write a query letter to express why they shouldn’t pass up the opportunity. Most literary agents and publishers will decide whether or not they wish even to consider your work based on the query letter you included in your submission package.
Let us walk you through the process of creating a query letter by providing information on what a query letter is, why it’s necessary, and tips for writing an impactful query letter.
What is a Query Letter?
Writers send query letters to editors of magazines to pitch article ideas, and they will send query letters to agents and publishers to pitch book ideas. It is a letter that is only one page long and is designed to pique an editor’s or agent’s attention in the work you would like to submit. Occasionally, authors will send a query letter in connection with a piece they have already written, such as the manuscript for a work of fiction. At other times, you conduct research to establish whether or not you ought to create the item, such as a nonfiction book.
A query letter is a technique to introduce yourself and your work to a literary agent or editor. You should address the letter to the appropriate person. It is a letter that you submit to editors or agencies to convince them that you have a project that would not only interest them but also make them money. They will inquire about your previous work if they find your inquiry interesting.
In this step, an editor or agent will review a book proposal submitted by a nonfiction author. However, this step may not be required. If you are a fiction writer, you should be prepared to provide either the complete manuscript or a few chapters of your novel.
Why is a Query Letter Important?
If you want to increase the likelihood of having your work published, you need to compose a query letter that is distinguishable from your peers. Your query letter is your opportunity to sell an editor or agency on the merits of your concept; think of it as a sales pitch. After all, you are attempting to persuade an editor or agent to buy your writing before you have even given them a chance to read your manuscript or book proposal.
With the assistance of your inquiry letter, they will be able to assess whether or not it is worthwhile for them to learn more about your idea or tale. Because of this, it is essential to draft a query letter that is both concise and convincing if you want to attract the attention of an editor or agency.
How To Write The Perfect Query Letter?
When publishing your book, the first thing to write is a query or pitch letter. When looking for new material to sell or publish, agents and editors analyze query letters to identify submissions from prospective authors. Most literary agents and editors do not read unsolicited manuscripts; nevertheless, they will almost always view an unsolicited query letter. They will ask for a sample of your manuscript if you can draft a query letter that makes them want to read more.
Here are some tips for composing an impactful query letter:
Use a Professional Format
Invest in a high-quality white paper if you plan to send communications by regular mail rather than email. Your query letter should only have one space between sentences, and the margins should be one inch. Select a legible font, like Arial or Times New Roman, and set the point size to 12. Most word processing products come equipped with pre-made templates. If you use one of them, it will be easier to adhere to these fundamental requirements on formatting.
Keep Your Pitch Letter to One Page
A query letter shouldn’t be any longer than one page at any time. Imagine that your letter is advertising that will appear in a magazine. The information presented in advertisements is typically condensed into a concise, memorable, and engaging format rather than exhaustive. They pique the customer’s interest and make them want to find out more. This should be clear from the beginning of your query letter. You want to ensure that the editor or agent wants to read more of your work.
Include a Heading
Similarly to creating an ordinary business letter, you will need to include your contact information, the date, and the information about the receiver in the heading. Be sure to use the agent’s or editor’s name wherever possible. It’s best to avoid using overly general phrases wherever possible, such as “Dear Agent” or “Dear Editor.” When you use the recipient’s name in your communication, it demonstrates that you have done research on them and that you are interested in collaborating with them.
Keep Your Query Letter Synopsis Brief
When creating a synopsis for your pitch letter, it is important to remember to concentrate on the most important aspects of your work, such as the highlights. Details are not what should be emphasized when reading the synopsis. To attempt to summarize a piece of writing that is hundreds of pages lengthy in just one paragraph is not an easy task and will require a significant amount of editing and rewriting. Keep in mind that this purpose is to generate interest in your manuscript.
Close the Letter With a Grateful Statement
Your letter should conclude with an expression of gratitude. Then, finish the email with a salutation such as “Sincerely” or “Best regards.” If you plan to send a letter in the mail, leave some additional space below the closing for the recipient’s signature. Please print your name and then provide the agent or editor with the appropriate contact information below. This will make it much simpler for them to get in touch with you.
Final Thoughts
Finally, remain persistent and open to gaining new knowledge. Have a look at some query letter examples to get a better idea. Although sending query letters might be lengthy and taxing at times, it also presents an opportunity to refine your talents as a professional writer and develop your capacity to sell your work. For the ultimate impact, you may consider getting your pitch letter edited by a professional to rectify any grammatical or stylistic issues you could have overlooked.