Email Query Letter question

When sending an email query letter, the subject line should simply be "Query and the name of the script." Do not mention that you are a "new writer looking for representation." Even in your letter, do not mention that you are a new writer. Let your work speak for its self.

Keep it simple. Query - name of project,

Make the query as professional and interesting as possible. Don't run a long one, include the logline and a brief synopsis as well as any work you might have done as a writer.

Be sure to thank them for their time.

There's no right answer here, but I would avoid using the word "query" in the subject line. I'd simply use the title in quotes: "Light of the World."

Here's my reasoning. People in the biz of getting query letters get all sorts of e-mails (from co-workers, studios, producers, etcetera) about all sorts of projects. Most of those e-mails simply have the title in the subject line.

If you use the word "query," the receiver knows immediately that it's a solicitation and could delete it or stick it in a folder where it sits and rots.

If it looks like all the other business related e-mails he receives, he'll probably open it right away to see what it's about.

Hopefully, the e-mail starts with a good logline that captures his attention and piques his interest before he even knows it's a query.

Again, there's no right way/wrong way. But I think leaving out the word "query" decreases the chances of it going straight to the trash bin or business affairs (the legal department).

I was advised in the past to avoid sending email query letters because they are often deleted. Whereas, paper letters have a higher chance of being read. Of course, until someone responds you'll never know if one or the other worked. Different agents filter email and snail mail in different ways. Seems like neither query method is fool proof.

creativexec said:

There's no right answer here, but I would avoid using the word "query" in the subject line. I'd simply use the title in quotes: "Light of the World."

Here's my reasoning. People in the biz of getting query letters get all sorts of e-mails (from co-workers, studios, producers, etcetera) about all sorts of projects. Most of those e-mails simply have the title in the subject line.

If you use the word "query," the receiver knows immediately that it's a solicitation and could delete it or stick it in a folder where it sits and rots.

If it looks like all the other business related e-mails he receives, he'll probably open it right away to see what it's about.

Hopefully, the e-mail starts with a good logline that captures his attention and piques his interest before he even knows it's a query.

Again, there's no right way/wrong way. But I think leaving out the word "query" decreases the chances of it going straight to the trash bin or business affairs (the legal department).

Click to expand...

That's a really cool tip. One question though, if you breach an agent/manager/exec's expected protocol, which they've outlined for queries on their website or whatever, are they going to be annoyed that you "tricked" them?

I'm guessing the answer to this is going to be, if they like the logline then it won't matter.

Does this also mean you leave out the...
"I'm writing to ask you to consider my Spec "Best Spec EvAR11!!," for representation.

Best spec Evar is about... LOGLINE.

And just start with..

Dear NameofAgent/Manager/Exec,

When two gods decide to split the Earth in half, one promising fairness and justice and the other gluttony and sin, a young baseball player must decide which side of the Earth is more likely to be a good life for him and his terminally ill mother.

More detailed pitch....

etc etc.

Having worked for three big talent agencies, I can say that none of them have any kind of filter in place that detects or differentiates a query letter from any other piece of e-mail. If the majors don't do it, it seems unlikely that others do. (It's possible that it could get caught by the "spam" filter if it's sent by one of those pay services that blasts out your query to a zillion people.)

A more realistic "filter," so to speak, is that fact that many companies have "unsolicited query" policies and employees are mandated to send all query letters to business affairs. (I suspect that these rules are not strictly adhered to or enforced.)

Ultimately, the only filter is the person who reads the e-mail/letter. The fate of the query is in his hands.

The benefit to an e-mail query is that the receiver can immediately respond or, at least, respond more easily than having to type up a letter and envelope. So be sure to include an e-mail address on your snail mail query. However, an e-mail query can get buried very quickly as one's inbox fills up with other mail. Conversely, e-mail is easier, less time consuming, environmentally friendly and cheap.

I'd say 98% of the queries I receive today are e-mail. Ten years ago, it was very different.

Klazart said:

That's a really cool tip. One question though, if you breach an agent/manager/exec's expected protocol, which they've outlined for queries on their website or whatever, are they going to be annoyed that you "tricked" them?

I'm guessing the answer to this is going to be, if they like the logline then it won't matter.

Does this also mean you leave out the...
"I'm writing to ask you to consider my Spec "Best Spec EvAR11!!," for representation.

Best spec Evar is about... LOGLINE.

And just start with..

Dear NameofAgent/Manager/Exec,

When two gods decide to split the Earth in half, one promising fairness and justice and the other gluttony and sin, a young baseball player must decide which side of the Earth is more likely to be a good life for him and his terminally ill mother.

More detailed pitch....

etc etc.

Click to expand...

If a company specifies a strict way of doing business - like a protocol for query letters (which sounds silly to me) - then abide by their protocol.

Do you have any examples of a company that has guidelines for general query submissions? (I'm curious.)

I can only make suggestions because someone else who gets a lot of queries might like things differently. But here's the start of what I'm suggesting:

Dear Michael,

A psychologist struggles to cure a troubled boy who is haunted by a bizarre affliction – he sees dead people.

My new script is called THE SIXTH SENSE and I'm currently seeking representation.

Click to expand...

Add another SHORT paragraph (three lines MAX) with any other pertinent personal information and close.

I would avoid a synopsis, as many new writers trip themselves up there. My attention is caught with the logline but instead of quitting while they're ahead, the scribe includes a brief synopsis which allows me to see all the weaknesses and story holes. Get in & get out.

creativexec said:

If a company specifies a strict way of doing business - like a protocol for query letters (which sounds silly to me) - then abide by their protocol.

Do you have any examples of a company that has guidelines for general query submissions? (I'm curious.)

I can only make suggestions because someone else who gets a lot of queries might like things differently. But here's the start of what I'm suggesting:




Add another SHORT paragraph (three lines MAX) with any other pertinent personal information and close.

I would avoid a synopsis, as many new writers trip themselves up there. My attention is caught with the logline but instead of quitting while they're ahead, the scribe includes a brief synopsis which allows me to see all the weaknesses and story holes. Get in & get out.

Click to expand...

Well I haven't tried to query anyone with a screenplay yet, but I've queried a good number of literary agents about a novel, as well as made submissions to a few publishers.

A lot of them do have specific guidelines for query submissions. And "put Query: Name of project in the subject," is one I've seen repeated a fair bit.