Capitalize the first letter when listing a genre?

Don't capitalize. Yes, it makes a difference.

Title should be in all caps.

I don't think you should worry too much--if your query is outstanding in every other way! Good luck!

Hm . . . I italicized the title. Oops.

Yea, that was one thing I hadn't heard anywhere either. It wasn't until I started reading in Query Letter Hell and noticed the title capitalized in almost all of them.

Well, I don't think you have to, but I definately would.

On the italicisation question, it depends on the format in which you're querying. If you're sending a hardcopy letter via snail mail, italicise titles. If you're sending e-mail, use all capitals LIKE THIS. The reason for the latter is that italics don't always 'stick' in e-mail -- that is, the words might or might not appear in italics upon receipt; it depends on the recipient's e-mail client. Whereas all-caps always stick.

Proach said:

Thank you so much for your input. It's greatly appreciated. I can say I've flubbed, probably going to get nothing but rejections from the agents I did submit to, but it's still early in the game.

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No agent will reject you based on a capitalized genre or lowercase title. It may stand out as "hm, not a good sign" but if the rest of the query is good, they'll still ask to see more.

Another newb mistake I realize I just made -- not including contact info in the e-queries. I guess I assumed the reply would be via reply, and I have gotten some rejects that way, but I'm thinking it also looks less professional. Live and learn.