How long should my query be?

Makyelin · Aug 31, 2010

I'm sure this has been asked a hundred times before, but I couldn't find where. What's the average word count of a proper query?

Cyia · Aug 31, 2010

No more than 350 words from introduction to close.

(or around 3/4 of a page)

Makyelin · Aug 31, 2010

Ok sweet. Thanks.

waylander · Aug 31, 2010

You need the Queryshark - queryshark.blogspot.com

suki · Aug 31, 2010

In the Query letter Hell forum there are a whole bunch of "sticky" threads stuck at the top of the page, including lots of great resources on writing queries and synopses. Pretty much any question that can be answered is answered there - if you read the sticky threads.

~suki

Ryan_Sullivan · Aug 31, 2010

I always say 2 paragraphs, 3 maximum. 6 sentences each on average.

SHORTER IS BETTER!

cate townsend · Sep 1, 2010

Ryan_Sullivan said:
I always say 2 paragraphs, 3 maximum. 6 sentences each on average.

SHORTER IS BETTER!

I agree.

kaitie · Sep 1, 2010

Is it just me, or do an awful lot of Query Shark queries tend to run long? Maybe it just seems that way with her comments interspersed. I always mean to copy and paste into word just to see, but seriously, a lot of them have got to be more than a page.

Jamesaritchie · Sep 1, 2010

I've found four paragraphs gives the best breakdown of all the points you need to cover. One paragraph per point. You can do this on a single page, and unless otherwise stated, I think one page is perfect.

How long should my query be?

Makyelin

Deus Ex Machina

Cyia

Rewriting My Destiny

Makyelin

Deus Ex Machina

waylander

Who's going for a beer?

suki

Opinionated

Ryan_Sullivan

Agented YA Writer

cate townsend

kaitie

With great power comes

Jamesaritchie