Double or single spaced query

gurnie · Jun 11, 2007

I always thought it was double spaced but I want to make sure. I have a page long letter but it's jammed with text, but it might be easier to fit in the recipients address if the letter is single, one and a half, or double spaced.

Here's a screen shot of the letter:

lostgirl · Jun 11, 2007

In my research I've found that queries should be in business letter format. 12pt font Times New Roman or something easily readable and that the whole letter is right justified with double spaces between the paragraphs. The paragraphs themselves actually single spaced. I don't know if one way is more right than the other but most example queries I've seen and the research I've done have showed them to be put that way. Because a query is really just a letter promoting your work to generate interest.

Hope that helps.

scarletpeaches · Jun 11, 2007

I agree - synopses and query letters should be single-spaced as it's the manuscript that needs to be double-spaced for editing purposes.

gurnie · Jun 11, 2007

So the letter is single spaced (all of the lines), justified left. Is there no indentation for each paragraph?

lostgirl · Jun 11, 2007

Yikes I meant left justified. Where did that right come from??? Sorry about that.

scarletpeaches · Jun 11, 2007

I do my query letters single spaced, both margins justified (there's no need for ragged edges in a letter) and a double space between paragraphs, no indentation.

lostgirl · Jun 11, 2007

yeah no indentation of the paragraphs but double space between each one

lostgirl · Jun 11, 2007

scarletpeaches said:
I do my query letters single spaced, both margins justified (there's no need for ragged edges in a letter) and a double space between paragraphs, no indentation.

Never thought of both margins justified. That definitely does make it a prettier letter.

lostgirl · Jun 11, 2007

In MSWord in the formating options there is left, right, and justified. Justified automatically formats your document to have both sides justified.

scarletpeaches · Jun 11, 2007

If you look at the top of the screen in MS Word, there should be buttons on the toolbar for left, middle, right and both margins justified.

Or you can go to FORMAT > PARAGRAPH > ALIGNMENT and choose 'both'.

Either do this before you start typing a document, or type it, then highlight the text you want to justify, and do the above ^.

gurnie · Jun 11, 2007

Ta-da?

lostgirl · Jun 11, 2007

Get rid of the paragraph indentations and I think you've got the format down.

I also posted some ideas for your query letter content on your other thread. If you're interested.

lostgirl · Jun 11, 2007

And I don't know if you put Dear Editor because you didn't want to give the name away. Because you don't want to address your queries like that. You want to do a specific agent's/editor's name. They don't usually respond to queries that aren't addressed specifically to them. Wasn't sure if you knew that.

gurnie · Jun 11, 2007

lostgirl said:
And I don't know if you put Dear Editor because you didn't want to give the name away. Because you don't want to address your queries like that. You want to do a specific agent's/editor's name. They don't usually respond to queries that aren't addressed specifically to them. Wasn't sure if you knew that.

I know that

this is just a general letter.

lostgirl · Jun 11, 2007

I figured you did. I just wanted to make sure

It would completely suck to not have a story that sounds so interesting get the chance it needs over something so silly, you know?

Good luck.

Jamesaritchie · Jun 11, 2007

Letter

No indents and double spacing between paragraphs is only one form of business letter, and was started only because a computer could do it.

Indents and no space between paragraphs is still s perfectly acceptable form of business letter, and many prefer it.

gurnie · Jun 11, 2007

So, does the above format (my picture) apply to email queries?

reenkam · Jun 11, 2007

Sometimes indents act weird in emails when you have different programs than the person recieving. I don't indent the paragraphs for emails and I put a space between each paragraph. But that's just me.

Double or single spaced query

gurnie

lostgirl

Always Watching

scarletpeaches

gurnie

lostgirl

Always Watching

scarletpeaches

lostgirl

Always Watching

lostgirl

Always Watching

lostgirl

Always Watching

scarletpeaches

gurnie

lostgirl

Always Watching

lostgirl

Always Watching

gurnie

lostgirl

Always Watching

Jamesaritchie

gurnie

reenkam

aka cupcake