Queen Of Awkward...

How Do I Write A Query?

Okay, let’s begin by saying something - I wrote one (1) query letter in my life, therefore I am not a professional. 

Now, what is a query? A query is basically a very short pitch about your novel. You will have to send it to agents, editors and sometimes it even gets to publishers (if you’d like to be published traditionally). Queries are divided into five (5) parts:

 Adress the person: now, this is a big problem. Your first-ever query will probably go to a literary agent. Don’t start it with “to whom it may concern” or “dear agent”! I like to start it with “Dear Miss/Mr. [agent’s last name]”, it feels more polite. 

State the subject of the letter: You came to seek representation for your novel, SAY IT. This is the part where you give technical facts about your novel: name, genre, word count. Also, let the agent know why you’re querying them specifically: whether it’s their active interest in some topics or you’ve met them at a conference, this is where you should point it out. 

Summarize your novel: this part should be written in a third-person POV. Do not use a certain voice, just explain the plot. This part should be similar to the blurb at the end of books. Check those out and try to make yours similar. DO NOT SPOIL THE ENDING.

 Author bio: Here you should write down a bit about your writer self. No one will care about your personal details  - do not add those. Write down if you’ve ever been published, if you’ve ever won a prize. Write down any big blog you have about writing. Write down what qualify you to write this novel. 

Finish your query: Do not brag and say “this will be the greatest novel you’ll ever read!”. I like to finish my queries with a quick “Thank you for your consideration, [author name]”

Extra tips

A query should be shorter than 250 words. 

Pay attention to the format your agent seeks, it’s usually times new roman size 12. 

NO ATTACHMENTS UNLESS THEY SAY SO

Your novel’s name should be writing in all caps (AZALEA) 

Every new character should be in all caps (DAVE, JOSH) 

Query more than one agent at a time, volume is your friend. 

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