Stage 2, The Query Letter

Hey you. I know you'll disagree, so let's just get that out of the way right now.

But I do have some experience with this. If you research queries on the web, you are going to get so much contradictory information, it'll make your head explode. There is a good series of threads about this on the FAQ board.

The hardest part is getting a short (I mean really short - like a few sentences short) synopsis of your plot that feels complete and builds curiosity at the same time. At first, I'd focus on that. The rest is just a business letter - very easy. And, of course, each agent or editor has their own requirements for what they want in a query.

Go ahead - let me have it. I know you don't believe me.

Here's a thread on the AW Share Your Work Forum:

Query Letter Resources

Lots of great info here. You'll be asked for a password to the Share Your Work forum when you click on the link: it's vista.

It also wouldn't hurt to read a handful of the query letters others have posted for critique. See what others have done, and how they've done it better after a little spit and polish.

And after you get it figured out, you can teach me

Lisa Collier Cool's How to Write Irresistible Query Letters is great, and if you send a blank message to [email protected], you'll get an auto-responder from Linda Formichelli and Diana Burrell with a dozen successful query letters as examples.

Kristen

And for when you feel like you're going crazy, try your hand at the Bad Query Thread

http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38545

Maryn said:

I haven't written a query letter in a couple of eons, but I've helped critique a few here--and boy, the regulars there are terrific! Cobble something together, then post it, and they'll help you find every flaw and shore up every weakness. They're even perfectly willing to go over your query multiple times as you rewrite it.

Maryn, who was most impressed

Click to expand...

Definitely! I had my query letter and synopsis critiqued, and the folks here are marvelous - helpful, honest, encouraging. I highly recommend doing that - your query will be better for it.