How short should the query letter be?

The Writers Market and Writers Digest both say to keep it to one page double spaced. I found it hard to say what I wanted to say, but after a few tries I did it and liked it.

Count me in the one-page club for queries. The shorter, the better. I try to keep things to three paragraphs if possible. You want to capture their attention with your overview and hook in the first graph. In the next you can flesh it out a little and the final one is to outline your creds.

I honestly don't know how important it might be to talk marketing ideas in the query. It's probably better suited to the proposal. Perhaps Lauri will chime in on that.

Wayne K said:

The Writers Market and Writers Digest both say to keep it to one page double spaced.

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One page I already know, but double spaced? I've never double spaced any letter, query or otherwise.

underthecity said:

One page I already know, but double spaced? I've never double spaced any letter, query or otherwise.

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I don't either. But I also make sure my paragraphs are relatively short. Nothing makes my eyes glaze over, and attention wander, faster than a big, blocky chunk of text.

Wayne K said:

The Writers Market and Writers Digest both say to keep it to one page double spaced. I found it hard to say what I wanted to say, but after a few tries I did it and liked it.

Click to expand...

I've never heard double-spaced for a query either, and I can't imagine being able to fit much of anything in that space after your contact details and you've had a chance to tell the agent where you found her/his name (as a way to personalize and show you've done some homework), and ended with the usual "happy to send more...look forward to hearing from you...thank you for your consideration..."

However, I believe one page single-spaced is sparse enough to satisfy an agent and sufficient to get the information you need in the query.

Start with "the hook", lead into what it's about, why it's different or compelling.

Include a paragraph on your specialized expertise or access to different types of stories and certainly mention your publishing history, which would give credence to your writing ability.

Then post your query in Share Your Work for a critique. People are honest and helpful.

I hate to rain on your parade, but if the only market you feel you have for your book is church groups and ladies groups, this is not going to impress a potential agent. I see that you actually don't say that the query is for an agent, but my own recommendation is to concentrate on small regional publishers, unless you have some sensational, personally witnessed stories on highly visible public figures - or you are one!

Best of luck.

One page, single space, double space between paragraphs. Read as many sample query letters (good and bad) as you can before composing yours. It's not easy, especially if you have not done one before. But remember, the query letter is critical. It opens or shuts doors to an agent or editor wanting to read your work, no matter how good your manuscript may be.

What scope says. Keep it short. Don't worry about the marketing stuff in this one: this is an interest-catcher. And definitely post it in SYW--you'll get some great feedback.

I had a range of lengths to fit various agents' guidelines.

One was 250 words, another was a bit longer with the brief three paras idea, and another was longer - opening with a snappy hook and then a brief synopsis. I doubt any came to longer than a page though.

People just don't have the time to read long when they are wading through hundreds of queries a day.

One page, single spaced, is the rule I live by. I figure that's still enough room to hook 'em if I write it right.

I never go past a page on any of mine. Good luck

Playdatemom: Keep in mind that some agent/publisher's guidelines will state specifically what they want to see in your query letter. Some offer a word limit while others will take you through it one paragraph at a time. A publisher I'm querying, for example, has listed each item he wants to see in a query letter. Please make sure you read the guidelines carefully and draft your query letter accordingly.