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Write
A Query Letter That Sells
By Marilyn Henderson Are agents saying,
"No, thanks," to your query? It may not be your novel,
but how you describe it that's keeping your manuscript unread. When you finish your novel
and have revised, edited, and polished it, you reach a new challenge on your
path to becoming a selling author. Now you need to convince someone you have
never met to read your manuscript and believe it will sell to a publisher. And
you have only a one-page letter in which to do this. The biggest mistake writers
make in drafting a query letter is ignoring the fact that the letter is a sales
tool. It must sell the agent on the idea that he wants to represent your novel.
An agent works on commission. He doesn't earn anything unless he sells your
book. Your query letter gives him his first impression of you and your work. The
impression you need to make is, "This story will sell!" You knew the audience your
novel was aimed at before you began writing; now your query is aimed at someone
who receives hundreds of letters like yours. Unless yours makes him sit up and
take notice, it's already on its way to the rejection pile. Marketers know you have
only three to eight seconds to capture the attention of a prospect. That means
the opening sentences of your query letter must hook the agent into reading
more. How do you do this? 1.
Don't waste your opening lines introducing yourself. This isn't a social
contact. Your name will only be important if he wants to read your manuscript. 2.
Start with a hook. What excited you about your original idea that made
you develop it into a novel? Express that idea or theme in one sentence, and
then turn it into a provocative question that makes the agent want to learn
more. Open your query with that question, and then create a second sentence that
steers his thinking in the direction you want it to go. Don't answer the
question; just give him an angle to consider. 3.
Now tell him what your story is about. Do this in one or two short
paragraphs. Write the description in broad strokes rather than details of the
plot. Describe your storyline, not the story itself. Concentrate on building the
emotion you want the agent to feel. 4.
Write a description, not hype. Don't use adjectives and adverbs instead
of facts. The agent knows the difference. Saying your book is terrifying is
hype; saying a stalker's persistence terrifies the heroine is fact. 5.
Don't sound like an eager amateur by comparing yourself or the book to
writers or books on the best-seller list. He's read too many similar boasts. He
has no reason to believe your book is a winner unless you convince him by
getting him to read the manuscript. 6.
Don't tell him details of how the story ends. If you present a dramatic
picture that leaves him eager to read the manuscript, anticipating the finale
will add to his excitement. 7.
Close your letter stating the length of your manuscript, your background
or special qualifications that give you expertise in the subject matter of the
story, and any writing credits you have. Then ask if he would be willing to read
your manuscript and thank him for his consideration. Sign it and enclose a SASE
for his convenience. If he specifies wanting sample pages, enclose them and a
SASE of the proper size. 8.
Creating an impression of professionalism is vital. Don't be cute or try
to be clever. Don't enclose gimmicks-- pens, key chains, candy, or anything you
think will impress him. It won't, and he'll know you're an amateur. 9.
Don't call the agent to find out if he got your letter. Don't e-mail him
unless asked to do so. 10.
Most agents respond within three to four weeks to a query. If you don't
hear in that time, a polite, brief inquiry asking if he is considering your
request is in order. When an agent rejects your
query, it means the description of your book didn't intrigue him enough to ask
for the manuscript or sample chapters. That's a big responsibility to put on one
brief letter, so it's up to you to make your query convince him your manuscript
will sell. Copyright 2005 - Marilyn Henderson, 42-year novelist, coach and mss
critic. There's no substitute for experience. Let mine help
you reach your dream goal. e-book: Writing A Novel That Sells, Beyond the
Basics Email:
marilyn@mysterymentor.com
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