Another Query Question - Contractions OK?

Aramis said:

When composing essays, I know it's wrong to use contractions. Should I be looking at the query letter like an essay? Would that be more professional? I don't know how formal I should be.

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I'm not sure where you got the idea that contractions are wrong. I've always been told that, as with everything else, it is important not to overuse them. One good rule is to alternate contractions with their non-contracted forms. For example, use "do not" half the time and "don't" half the time.

There's no reason contractions can't be used in essays -- unless, I suppose, the essay is about how to write an essay without contractions.

As to queries, I might temper my language slightly based on the type of magazine and its target audience. When querying a fishing mag, I am, of course, polite and business-like but relatively informal.

If I was to query the New Yorker, I'd assume the groveling position, eyes downcast, typing with one hand while the other tugged my forelock.

I might be kidding about that last bit.

Treat a query as you would a job interview: be courteous and direct, since you know full well an editor's time is limited. Try to keep it to three or four paragraphs. Don't worry overmuch about contractions or lack of same - your main purpose is twofold: communicating a compelling idea and convincing something of a skeptic that you're the best person to write about it.

Good luck.

Aramis said:

Thank you both. That definately helps. For those of you wondering where I got the idea that contractions in essays are bad... Every English teacher I've ever had.

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As many people here will tell you, English teachers don't necessarily know jack squat about the field of commercial writing. They are more attached to academic writing. Nearly every serious writer ends up unlearning some of the things they were taught in school.

Treat a query letter like a business letter. Jamie is completely correct. The ridiculous no-contraction rule only applies to academic writing and there are exceptions even there. If you'd like to use a contraction, just do it. And don't even think about cutting them from your manuscript or I'll visit you with a skinned, wet trout...