How to Write A Great Query Letter / Lukeman

alleycat · Jan 10, 2009

For anyone interested, the Amazon short How to Write a Great Query Letter by Noah Lukeman (76 pages) is available as a free download on the Amazon US website.

ETA: Apparently there is a restriction on this download to the United States (see post #9 below). Sorry. I wasn't aware of this when I first posted.

Bubastes · Jan 10, 2009

Thank you!

cbenoi1 · Jan 10, 2009

Darn. Doesn't work in Canada.

-cb

FOTSGreg · Jan 10, 2009

Just nabbed my copy.

Thanks!

Cranky · Jan 10, 2009

alleycat said:
For anyone interested, the Amazon short How to Write a Great Query Letter by Noah Lukeman (76 pages) is available as a free download on the Amazon US website.

I love you.

*runs off to score a copy*

ETA: *sniff* I can't find it.

alleycat · Jan 10, 2009

cbenoi1 said:
Darn. Doesn't work in Canada.

-cb

I'm not sure why a download wouldn't work in Canada.

In any event, if you're willing to send me your e-mail address by private message I'll send it to you. The file size is only 248kb. Since this is a free download I don't think I'm doing anything wrong by sending a copy to someone else.

alleycat · Jan 10, 2009

Cranky said:
I love you.

*runs off to score a copy*

ETA: *sniff* I can't find it.

See if this link works.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00122GU86/?tag=absolutewritedm-20

Cranky · Jan 10, 2009

It does! Thank you, Alley! *hugs*

Mr Flibble · Jan 10, 2009

sadly not

We could not process your order because of geographical restrictions on the product which you were attempting to purchase. Please refer to the terms of use for this product to determine the geographical restrictions.

alleycat · Jan 10, 2009

IdiotsRUs said:
sadly not

Sorry. I wasn't aware of that. I didn't even think about it.

Mr Flibble · Jan 10, 2009

Me either. poopy pants. Ii thought I might be ok as I have a US amazon account, ah well.

Kathleen42 · Jan 10, 2009

There are certain items Amazon.com won't let you purchase if you are shipping to a Canadian address or have a Canadian billing address. Very frustrating.

I assume this falls in the same sort of category

Telstar · Jan 11, 2009

If its not a violation somebody could put it on megashare or similar for non-american people

Ugawa · Jan 11, 2009

Aww. I live in England, so I can't get it... Damn =[
X

underthecity · Jan 11, 2009

Thanks, alleycat! (Sorry, others.)

And just in time, too. I was planning to write the query letter this week.

allen

Prawn · Jan 11, 2009

I had no trouble downloading it the file. Any reason not to share it with non US users?

gothicangel · Jan 11, 2009

I don't see why not.

It was available to UK users a while ago (from Lukeman's own website) and the members from another forum downloaded. I moved and bought a new computer; but another member emailed it to me.

I'll see if I can find it.

MarkEsq · Jan 12, 2009

I read through this over the weekend. I was a little surprised by the content and wanted to see what others thought. I am referring to the "keep it short" para, the second one. He says it should be three sentences, and you shouldn't even name your MC. I like the idea of a three-sentence plot summary but I know that if I posted one like that for a crit on SYW I'd get comments like:

"I don't connect with your MC..."
"Why would your MC do that, it makes no sense..."
"Your query is too generic, it doesn't show how your thriller is different from others..."

Hey, maybe I should do that and see if I'm right! What do y'all think? Can you engage and entice an agent with just three sentences? Can you really make a plot seem different, deep, and interesting with so few words?

Mark

IceCreamEmpress · Jan 12, 2009

I find those guidelines to be really, really idiosyncratic--I think there are actually many agents who would find some of that stuff a downright turnoff (the not naming the protagonist, for instance).

Ugawa · Jan 12, 2009

is someone able to email it to me?

XX

BarbaraKE · Jan 12, 2009

He has some interesting and useful suggestions but I wouldn't treat it as gospel. For example, he suggests sending all queries by Fed Ex.

Judg · Jan 12, 2009

I think you can find this on his website. I got it ages ago with no problems, and I'm in Canada.

And yes, it should be read with a box of salt. Some of his advice neatly contradicts what most other agents say. Of course, if you want to query Lukeman himself, follow it to the letter.

jclarkdawe · Jan 12, 2009

One of the things with any source of information on writing is don't rely on it. Each author doing a book on writing let's their own personal opinions enter, at least on occasion. Lukeman seems to let that happen a bit more than normal.

As stated, other than to Lukeman, I would never waste my money with FedEx. For those who can do it, a three sentence description of there book can be incredible. Reality is most people can't.

His point about the quality of copy is good, but I won't invest in a laser printer as a beginning novelist solely for submissions. And having to just replace a printer I know how cheap they've gotten. But I'd take his advice on making sure about formatting.

Look for advice that makes sense and is consistent. For example, the advice on formatting being important is said by virtually every agent and editor (they just differ on what is the right formatting) and you know how hard it is to read books that have been through a mud bath.

Best of luck,

Jim Clark-Dawe

Dave Veri · Jan 12, 2009

Hey alleycat,

Thanks. I'll need that soon. Great find. I've a magazine article somewhere with his suggestions; I remember it was good advice. I'm sure the book will be better.
Thanks and Good luck to all,
Dave

Charlie Horse · Jan 12, 2009

Condensing your book description into three lines, like Jim said, is great if you can do it well. But like everything else in writing, I consider it more of a guideline than a rule. The point is, be as concise as possible.

How to Write A Great Query Letter / Lukeman

Still around

bananaed

Today is your last day.

Still around

Still around

They've been very bad, Mr Flibble

Still around

They've been very bad, Mr Flibble

crushing on fictional characters

I create people

It's a catastrophic success!

Finestkind

Writing is finite,revising infinite

Toughen up.

Clever title pending.

Hapless Virago

It's a catastrophic success!

DISENCHANTED coming soon

Feeling lucky, Query?

Speaking in metaphors