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WRITE A KILLER QUERY LETTER
Do you dream of being a published writer, meeting your audience, and doing a book signing?
Most of us know the path to publication is not easy. It is usually predicated by signing with an agent. That means you have to get the attention of an agent, and one way to do that is to write a killer query letter.
Let's dive in to writing that impressive query:
The
Five Parts of a query letter
Greeting: use the first and last name of the agent.
Personalization: show why you've chosen this agent. (Maybe you like one of her client's books or your manuscript is a good match for her manuscript wish list.)
Opening: hook the agent: give title, genre, word count, and a brief,
compelling description of the story that sets your book apart from others.
Book description:
Give a brief
summary of the story (often about 4–8 sentences) that introduces the main
character, their goal or problem, the central conflict, and the stakes. Provide a sense of the plot and voice without revealing the
ending or major twists.
Picture books are often
shorter—sometimes only a few sentences—because the manuscript itself is
short. The description should highlight the character, the emotional
journey, the problem, and what makes the story unique. If you’re an illustrator,
explain how the text and art work together to show emotion, character, and
information beyond words.
Middle grade and YA are usually
closer to a short jacket-style description, focusing on the protagonist, their
age, the inciting incident, what they want, what stands in their way, and
what happens if they fail. Avoid giving a chapter-by-chapter summary, a
list of themes, or a full synopsis. But do include the protagonist’s name, age (when relevant), what they want, what stands in
their way, and why the reader will care.
Comp titles:
Comp titles are recent books
(published in the last 3 years) that are similar to your manuscript in some
meaningful way. Choose two or three titles that show similar themes and tone. Avoid
using blockbuster titles. For illustrators, use comps that reflect the
story, audience and sometimes the visual style.
Comp titles are books you can
point to and say, “Readers who enjoyed this book may also enjoy mine.” They
are not copies of your story—they are examples of where your book belongs
on the bookstore shelf. MY BOOK has the imaginative world-building of (Title, publishing company, date) with the emotional depth of (Title, publishing company, date). Give your book in caps and the
comps in italics along with the publishing company and publishing year in paratheses.
Bio:
Write in first person. Include relevant writing
credentials and awards, publishing history, professional experience, portfolio
information, or personal background that connects to the book. Show why your background,
experience, or perspective gives you authority or a meaningful connection
to the story. If you have no publishing credits,
share relevant experience or simply state that this is your debut work.
Closing: Thank the agent
for their time and consideration. Include your name and contact information
if it is not already provided in the query form or email signature. (Many
agents receive queries through forms like Query Manager, where contact
information is collected separately.) Keep the closing brief and
professional.
Here are a few suggestions: Keep your query short, about 400 words. Follow the submission guidelines—don't query the agent if she's closed. Read your query out loud and have someone read your query to check for mistakes. Agent Adria Goetz suggests: Please be dogged. Please be strategically stubborn. Don't spend too much time or energy being frustrated about the agents you haven't heard back from yet, or the doors that have been closed. Focus on what's next: the next query you're going to send, the next story you're going to write, the next step forward you're going to take. Wishing you all the best as you query and move forward on the path to publication. ✌ and ♥
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