Sample pages in a query

mc101 · 12-11-2012, 05:54 AM

Hey everyone,

Newb question: when the agent requests the first ten pages with the query letter, what format do you put those pages in? If they're pasted in the body of the e-mail do you put them in traditional submission format with indenting etc. or use block paragraphs? I've done some sample emails with text pasted in and it comes out looking pretty strange in the indented format.

If this question has been asked a million times I apologize. Thanks in advance for any help.

Cella · 12-11-2012, 05:59 AM

Hmm...do they specify about attachments? It seems like that would be the way to go, to me...

Good luck!

amschilling · 12-11-2012, 06:03 AM

Most agency websites will say if they want it in the body of the email or as an attachment. General rule is: if they don't say they accept attachments, don't send one. Many won't open one unless they requested it.

As for format, I usually do the indent. But the mail client I use handles it well. Some don't, in which case block paragraphs should be fine.

JanDarby · 12-11-2012, 06:57 AM

If it's pasted, I fix the formatting, so it reads like an email -- single spaced, no indent, extra line between paragraphs.

leahzero · 12-11-2012, 07:12 AM

I paste sample pages directly from the .doc to gmail and don't change the formatting at all. No new lines between paragraphs; every new paragraph is indented; etc. It always turns out fine. (When an agent replies and quotes the text, you'll see if your formatting got garbled or not. Never had an issue.)

However, I use manual tabs, not automatic tabbing.

Corinne Duyvis · 12-11-2012, 03:31 PM

Ditto JanDarby. You never know what an agent uses to read queries and how that program or device handles formatting. I prefer to be on the safe side and use email formatting without any tricks.

12-11-2012, 05:54 AM	#1
mc101 New Fish; Learning About Thick Skin Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 1	Sample pages in a query Hey everyone, Newb question: when the agent requests the first ten pages with the query letter, what format do you put those pages in? If they're pasted in the body of the e-mail do you put them in traditional submission format with indenting etc. or use block paragraphs? I've done some sample emails with text pasted in and it comes out looking pretty strange in the indented format. If this question has been asked a million times I apologize. Thanks in advance for any help.

12-11-2012, 06:03 AM	#3
amschilling practical experience, FTW Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: In my head. Posts: 977	Most agency websites will say if they want it in the body of the email or as an attachment. General rule is: if they don't say they accept attachments, don't send one. Many won't open one unless they requested it. As for format, I usually do the indent. But the mail client I use handles it well. Some don't, in which case block paragraphs should be fine. __________________ -Amy Help me. Save me. Kill me. Do it. In his mind, they’re all the same. - CREEP My Blog \| Facebook \| Twitter GRENDEL: Dark Fantasy (Querying) CREEP: Dark Fantasy (waiting for edits) ALEXI'S GHOST: YA Gothic (WIP) DAGDA'S CAULDRON: Contemp. Fantasy (Mulling plot points and various bits of wibbly wobbly time-y wimey stuff) TOXIC: YA Urban Fantasy (trunked)

12-11-2012, 07:12 AM	#5
leahzero I'ma firin' mah lazer. Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,115	I paste sample pages directly from the .doc to gmail and don't change the formatting at all. No new lines between paragraphs; every new paragraph is indented; etc. It always turns out fine. (When an agent replies and quotes the text, you'll see if your formatting got garbled or not. Never had an issue.) However, I use manual tabs, not automatic tabbing. __________________ SITE \| TWITTER . . . . . . . . . . . . TH3 F3R4L ▪ Zombie Thriller ▪ On hold, pending awesome agent news. R3MN4NT ▪ YA SF ▪ Let me take you to querytown. · · · · · · · · · · · · Success is counted sweetest by those who ne'er succeed. —Dickinson

12-11-2012, 03:31 PM	#6
Corinne Duyvis She of the Comfortable Shoulders Join Date: May 2010 Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands Posts: 718	Ditto JanDarby. You never know what an agent uses to read queries and how that program or device handles formatting. I prefer to be on the safe side and use email formatting without any tricks. __________________ * Blog * Website * Twitter * The Fourteenery Represented by Ammi-Joan Paquette of Erin Murphy Literary Agency. OTHERBOUND: a YA fantasy about a boy from our world who's spent ten years involuntarily witnessing the life of a servant girl from another world every time he blinks--and what happens when he finally learns to communicate with her. Available 2014 from Amulet Books.

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12-11-2012, 05:59 AM	#2
Cella Mostly Ridiculous ... Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 20,634	Hmm...do they specify about attachments? It seems like that would be the way to go, to me... Good luck!

12-11-2012, 06:57 AM	#4
JanDarby practical experience, FTW Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 3,557	If it's pasted, I fix the formatting, so it reads like an email -- single spaced, no indent, extra line between paragraphs.