Cookie-Cutter Query and Cover Letters

fall09 · Oct 17, 2009

I hope this is the right spot for this. I'm not so much asking a question as wanting to start a discussion. Is anyone else really tired of the nearly identical cover and query letters we're apparently 'supposed' to write. I certainly am. I'm also heartily fed up with the the whole 'your work will stand or fall on its own merits...but sell it to me in two paragraphs or less or I'll never even read it'.

So, because I was heartily disgusted with the whole process and I've been terribly sick the past few days, I did something different. I wrote a query letter that was, well, me. Which means slightly funny and sarcastic with a little bit of smart-ass threw in. I actually sent it (to an agency whose reputation leads me to think they might appreciate it). Who knows if it will work, but since there's a 99% chance of rejection anyway...*shrug*

Any other thoughts on query and cover letters?

Sage · Oct 17, 2009

While writing a query is a PITA and there are sadly some excellent writers with horrible queries, the actual reason behind query letters, and even behind making them sorta "standard," is understandable. It gives the agent a very quick look at the novel--at whether the basic concept of the novel is saleable. From there, they can go to the actual writing (hopefully they requested pages with their query so they can glance at the writing before requesting more) and if the writer not only has an idea but also can write well, they can request full novels off of that.

The alternative would be for agents' inboxes to be inundated with reading samples. Sure, they could still reject several based on the very first sentence, but for the decent writers, it takes a lot more time to figure out if good writing has a good plot to go with it than reading a query letter does. In a world where many agents don't get to our queries for weeks or months (I just had one request after a year), we don't want them to be spending a partial-request's-worth of time on each rejection that's not an instant one.

THere are merits and disadvantages to following a certain format in a query letter. One advantage is that it lets the agent find the info they need fast in the query. Word count, genre, they need to know those things first. Then they can find the meat of the query and see if it appeals to them. Make the format too distracting or hard to find things, and their frustration might get you a rejection that might have been a request had they been in a better mood.

That said, I think that the "cookie cutter" queries--and I do think that here in AW we have a tendency to push all queries to sorta sound alike--have to get boring even when the stories are original. A slight twist in format, but still with the important stuff easy to find, and you might catch the agent's attention amid hundreds of queries they received in a day.

Back when I joined AW four years ago, there was a girl who posted an unusal query format that she was having success with, so that others could use it. I saved it because I liked it. A year later I used it on my own query and got slammed for using something so different (to be fair, my pitch also happened to suck). This after agents had complimented the OP about her query format.

So, the point is that if the twists you're introducing to the query process aren't outrageous, if they're something that makes the agent's job just as easy when reading your query, but will also make your query stand out in a crowd, I say go for it. But if you're changing things just to change things or if it's going to give the agent a headache trying to figure out, then don't bother.

Kathleen42 · Oct 17, 2009

I think it's understandable that query letters share a similar format. I don't think that necessarily makes them nearly identical. It's a bit like the blurbs on the back of books. Similar format but they differ enough in the important ways that I can make an educated guess, when at the bookstore, about which of two I would enjoy more.

ChaosTitan · Oct 17, 2009

Don't let formats stress you out so much. Few agents will reject your query because your format isn't "traditional." (and what is that, anyway?)

The most important part of your query is the pitch. It's hard to write sometimes, but if you can't sum your book up in 200 words or less, then it's probably too complicated to begin with.

"My hero is___. He faces this problem in the first fifty pages___. His sworn enemy/treacherous friend/love interest is____. A twist in the plot is____."

We need the problem the MC faces, and we need the consequences of failing. That's it.

How you present title, word count, and your bio (if you have one) is up to you.

Sage · Oct 17, 2009

Oh, I was going to add that for my own queries, my latest one is completely modeled after my most successful query. I have a snappy line that's its own paragraph, a paragraph describing the MC's basic fantasy-related problem separate from the main plot, and then the last paragraph, I tie it into the main plot and stakes. Then I add my WC, title, and genre as usual. Everything except the last sentence has tons of voice, and the voice is similar to the successful query.

I'm trying this new query without SYWing it (I had a couple of minor suggestions from other sources), but everyone seemed to adore it in the You're an Agent contest we had recently, so I have high hopes for it.

Anyway, just an example where using a familiar format does seem to work.

Red-Green · Oct 17, 2009

Have you looked over in Query Letter Hell at the successful query letter threads? Because reading through those, you'll see that "same format" doesn't really equal "cookie cutter." The query letter that got me an agent was on a business letter format--what it is, after all--but it certainly had its own personality that conveyed the style of the book. That in my mind is the goal. There ought to be one business-y paragraph in the letter, to take care of business, but the sales pitch portion of the letter ought to be as unique as your book. If it still looks like a cookie cutter letter to you, seems to me you're not catching the spark of your story or your story is cookie cutter.

And since there are no new stories, it's all about how you tell it, right?

JanDarby · Oct 17, 2009

As long as you provide the agent with the information she needs -- that your manuscript contains a story, which means protagonist, antagonist, struggle and stakes that are consistent witht he demands of your genre; and that you can write a coherent story -- the rest can be as innovative as you'd like. As long as it works.

The problem with a lot of innovative queries is that either a) they aren't as witty or funny or intriguing or whatever other adjective as the author was aiming for, so they fall flat, or b) they're perfectly witty, etc., but fail to indicate that there's anything in the manuscript that resembles a story.

JD

suki · Oct 17, 2009

I agree with many of the comments already made. But I'll add that the sole purpose of a query is to interest the agent enough to look at the attached/pasted in pages or ask for pages if they only except naked queries (rarer and rarer IME) - NOT to "sell it to me in two paragraphs or less..." The purpose is to prove you have the modicum of professionalism, writing ability and ability to follow directions necessary to write a query letter that is interesting enough to get the agent to look at the pages.

Flawed and imperfect and even downright crappy queries land agents all the time. Hell, sometimes a book's concept or voice is so compelling it can land an agent despite the writer's "mistakes" in the querying process. But those books are few and far between. For most of us, we do need to have an effective query to get an agent to look at the sample pages themselves. So, the idea is to maximize your chances by writing the most effective query you can.

And, FWIW, I think there's another reason for queries, and actually for short and standard form (but not content) queries: If you land an agent, you may (will?) be asked to write short bios, short synopsis/summary, help with pitch and blurb, etc. Better the agent finds out up front whether you are capable of doing so. It's a skill set writers need - to be able to effectively communicate their ideas, to write clearly and to follow directions. So, think of it as practice.

~suki

C.M.C. · Oct 17, 2009

It's only cookie-cutter int he same sense that a story with a beginning, middle, and end is. There's still room in the general form to express yourself and your story while still being recognizable as a query. The trick is to remember that you're easing the agent into your world. Having them jump right in to your voice and characters without an introduction to what you're doing will probably make it harder for them to judge it.

maestrowork · Oct 17, 2009

You can do anything you want if you can accomplish these:

1) tell the agent exactly what you're selling

2) hook the agent enough to ask for more

If you can do that, it's okay if you write the darn thing in Klingon.

p.s. the cookie-cutter approach simply makes it easier for the agents because a) it's a business letter first and foremost, and b) they go through hundreds of queries every week. So, if you can make your query stand out, more power to you. But still, the purpose of the query is the above. If you can't do 1 and 2, and quickly (the agent doesn't have all day to mull over the brilliance of your query), then it makes no difference.

Danthia · Oct 17, 2009

My views might not be popular, but I'll say them anyway. Books are a product. Publishers need to be able to sell that product to bookstores and readers, and to do that, they need a short blurb that summarizes/teases the story in a way that makes someone want to read it. The query is an effective way to do that. If you want to be a published novelist, you have to be able to do it on some level.

Movies have trailers. TV shows have commercials. We live in a culture where our entertainment choices are determined by a small sample designed to show the essence of the product to the consumer in the hopes that they want to see more. For books, that's the query.

I've found that when a query just can't be written, it's usually a good indicator that the book itself is inherently flawed. Queries are pretty easy when you have the elements that make up a sellable book: clear protagonist, strong conflict, high stakes. That's the reason I write rough queries before I write the novel. To test my premise and make sure it has what it takes to be a sellable novel. Not all my ideas do, and that always shows in the query.

Bad queries can and do hook agents all the time. They're the ones with the three or four details that really show why the book is special and worth reading. If someone can't find three or four standout things to write about their book, odds are it's not the query that's the problem.

Queries work, like them or not, so they're not going anywhere anytime soon. If someone doesn't like the format, try something else. I think all agents have an example or a non-traditional query that hooked them. Every author knows their book best, and if they feel there's a better way to tempt someone to read it, use it. That's the whole point. To sell your book and make someone want to read it.

Libbie · Oct 17, 2009

Yeah, it sucks to write queries. But I'm not sure what you mean by "cookie cutter." If you mean that all queries should entice the reader by giving great hints about the plot, then yes, they are all the same. If you mean that all should be as brief as you can manage, then yes, they are all the same. If you mean they all need to include the "vital statistics" of manuscript and author (genre, word count, author's publication credits), then yes, they are all the same.

But hopefully everybody has written stories that are different enough that they'll still look unique.

If your book is snarky and sarcastic, then I'm sure the voice in your query will work just fine. If your book isn't snarky and sarcastic, then your query will probably make you look like a goofball.

Keep in mind that queries are business proposals. They show the agent/editor not only that the book is worth reading, but that the author knows how to behave like a professional, knows at least a little bit about marketing their book, and is serious about being published.

maestrowork · Oct 17, 2009

And sometimes (and I'm not imply that about the OP) when people say "I don't want to do it the standard way" it just means they're too lazy to learn to write an effective query letter. They don't want to learn about the business. Or they're saying, "because I am special."

aadams73 · Oct 17, 2009

maestrowork said:
And sometimes (and I'm not imply that about the OP) when people say "I don't want to do it the standard way" it just means they're too lazy to learn to write an effective query letter. They don't want to learn about the business. Or they're saying, "because I am special."

There's a certain personality type who always wants to be an exception to the rule. They're rarely trendsetters, just people who want this all to be easy.

I don't particularly love wearing business formal clothing, but I've always done it for business meetings and interviews. Why? Because I'm determined to always be professional. It's part of the game. It's respectful. It makes a good impression.

Writing a query letter is the same thing. Show that you can follow the guidelines. Put your best foot forward. Give yourself every advantage. Tell the agent what your book is about, and make them ask for more.

A query letter is that all-important first impression. Use it wisely.

katiemac · Oct 17, 2009

I agree with Danthia. I also agree with Sage when she says here at AW we tend to critique in a certain formula and format. But if you come up with a format that still accurately depicts your novel despite being different, go for it.

The problem is when the format becomes the gimmick to mask a sub-par pitch. The format alone isn't going to sell it for you, no matter how great that format is. Half the letters that come in to be critiqued here don't even make sense when in the 'standard' format. So there becomes a point where the clearest way to make the pitch is to mold it into the standard.

But good pitch + good format (no matter what that format is) = great query.

I think voice is the biggest thing that writers overlook in a query and is what separates the standard queries from the really exciting ones, even if those happen to be written in the standard format, too. You sound like you incorporated voice, and that seems to be the biggest draw with agents.

ishtar'sgate · Oct 17, 2009

fall09 said:
I hope this is the right spot for this. I'm not so much asking a question as wanting to start a discussion. Is anyone else really tired of the nearly identical cover and query letters we're apparently 'supposed' to write. I certainly am. I'm also heartily fed up with the the whole 'your work will stand or fall on its own merits...but sell it to me in two paragraphs or less or I'll never even read it'.

Any other thoughts on query and cover letters?

I suppose they look like cookie cutters because basically they all have to contain the same specific elements - an engaging story hook, the word count, the genre and your bio. I don't use the two paragraph manuscript description either. I use a logline approach, giving an overview in two or three sentences. It seems to work fine. Agents receive tons of queries. The last thing I want to do is tick them off. Check out an agent's requirements and give them what they want. Two paragraphs should be more than enough to pique their curiosity. If you can't do it in two then I expect your query writing skills will have to be exceptional.

Libbie · Oct 17, 2009

aadams73 said:
There's a certain personality type who always wants to be an exception to the rule. They're rarely trendsetters, just people who want this all to be easy.

That personality type is called MY MOTHER. Ugh.

aadams73 · Oct 17, 2009

Libbie said:
That personality type is called MY MOTHER. Ugh.

Ha, yes, I have an aunt just like that, too.

jclarkdawe · Oct 17, 2009

I love innovative queries. I love any query that excites and entertains me. That's all you need to do.

I hate any query that bores me. I don't care why.

Seems to me that's what agents are saying.

It's not how you write it, it's whether it works or not.

QLH tends to be use a formula because it's the simplest and fastest way to teach people. And most people feel more comfortable with a formula. But we'll work with whatever approach a person wants to. I remember one that was not innovative enough and several of us suggested that if this is the way he wanted to go, to let it all hang out.

Any good query stands out.

Best of luck,

Jim Clark-Dawe

PoppysInARow · Oct 20, 2009

Since we're on the topic of cookie-cutter queries, I wanted to post one of my favorite queries that is definitely "out of the box."

Dear Agent,

I can see the future. Great, right?

Not really.

Five minutes. That's what I get. Five minutes of the future.

Five minutes of fog so thick I can barely see, and, most often, vomit-inducing nausea to greet me when I come back to the present.

It's okay though. It's taken half my life for me to get a grip on this thing I call the Vision, but I've gotten used to it. Got a buddy to clean up after me. Got a girl. Well, she's a hooker, so I suppose
I bought a girl. Even scraped out a decent little life finding the occasional winning slot machine.

At least, it was okay. Until I started seeing the murders.

FIVE MINUTES is complete at just under 56,000 words. I'd be happy to provide a partial or complete manuscript for further review.

Thanks in advance for your consideration,

(Jacked from Query Shark) It breaks a lot of those "cookie-cutter" rules and it totally rocks for it! As a reader, I would snatch up that book in an instant if that's what the back cover read, and I'm sure an agent would say the same thing. (Query Shark approved.

) As Jim said, it's all about your delivery.

katiemac · Oct 20, 2009

PoppysInARow said:
Since we're on the topic of cookie-cutter queries, I wanted to post one of my favorite queries that is definitely "out of the box."

(Jacked from Query Shark) It breaks a lot of those "cookie-cutter" rules and it totally rocks for it! As a reader, I would snatch up that book in an instant if that's what the back cover read, and I'm sure an agent would say the same thing. (Query Shark approved. ) As Jim said, it's all about your delivery.

I remember that one. Didn't Janet respond with something like "SEND PAGES NOW!!!!!!!"? The voice is great, but it's the last line that seals it.

PoppysInARow · Oct 21, 2009

katiemac said:
I remember that one. Didn't Janet respond with something like "SEND PAGES NOW!!!!!!!"? The voice is great, but it's the last line that seals it.

Yus she did. I giggled insanely. :tongue

And I totally agree, it's got a great voice, but just that last line is like, the perfect cliffhanger.

the addster · Oct 21, 2009

While I do follow a standard format to some degree, I've had much better luck going a bit on the snarky side. I do write non-fiction and have to sell attitude as well as an idea.

katiemac · Oct 21, 2009

the addster said:
While I do follow a standard format to some degree, I've had much better luck going a bit on the snarky side. I do write non-fiction and have to sell attitude as well as an idea.

Not that it isn't important in fiction, but I think voice is essential in nonfiction. I have a hard time getting through stuff that sounds like a high school textbook. Personally is key.

Jamesaritchie · Oct 22, 2009

Just a while back, an agent put her wants in a query in a way I hadn't quite heard before. She said that she needs to enjoy reading the query just as much as she hopes she'll enjoy the novel. It has to be a story that hooks her just as the first sentence of a good novel does.

An example I was pointed to that many said was perfect was a query where the very first words were "She had a plan. She had a goddamn plan."

It's just about the best opening to a query that I've seen, and if I opened a novel to page one and read this, I'd want to keep reading, which is, I think, the point of a query, or of the first line in a novel.

Cookie-Cutter Query and Cover Letters

Our Lady of Parentheticals

crushing on fictional characters

Around

Our Lady of Parentheticals

KoalaKoalaKoala!

Opinionated

Archetype

Fear the Death Ray

Danthia

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

Fear the Death Ray

A Work in Progress

Five by Five

living in the past

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

A Work in Progress

Feeling lucky, Query?

Five by Five

Five by Five