How To Kick Butt With Your Query
Yes, I realize that this isn't Tips for Overwriters. I'm sorry, I haven't really gotten on that yet. It will be next week's post. It will be. I'm going to write it and schedule it ahead of time. IT WILL BE NEXT WEEK I PROMISE!
And now back to your regularly scheduled post.
Whether you're at this part of the writing and publishing process or you've just started writing, if you plan to get published traditionally you need to know how to write a query letter. And if you're just starting to write, you may ask yourself "well I am not at that point yet, so I don't have to worry about that."
Yes you do.
So, here it is!
First off, before you even start, you need to know what your book is about.
"But I'm writing it, I know what it's about!"
Yes, but that's not what I mean. You know when a friend (or an acquaintance who heard you are writing a book and wants a discount) comes up to you and asks, "What is your book about? You don't have to give me all the details, just a little summary," and you stand there for about thirty seconds thinking "how do I say this and not make it sound like I have problems?" Yeah. That's what I'm taking about.
Most of the time, that little summary is what you'll put into your query letters. The agents you're querying want to know what your book is about, and they want that little snippet you give them to be intriguing.
I heard it put one way on a website when I was researching; you want it to be a soundbite. Like that one line of a song that plays over and over in your head. When they get up from reading your letter to go get coffee or food or use the bathroom, you want that to be playing over in their head.
And no, I'm not saying that they need to remember it word for word. Just make it interesting enough so that they will think about it as they do other things.
As they get coffee: "I wonder how (insert Main Character) got into (insert situation)?"
As they are sitting on the toilet reading a book: "I could be reading (insert your name)'s book... that would make a good book."
As they drive in: "Hey this song sounds a bit like that query letter I read... hm, I'll have to look at that."
You want them to remember it. Make it short, but not too short. Detailed, but not too detailed. If you read it and think, "Yeah, that sounds like it could go on the back cover of a book," chances are you just stumbled upon your perfect summary.
BUT REMEMBER! NO SPOILERS! Spoilers are for 2-3 page Synopsis only! (And yes, some agents will ask for that.)
This. Is. Important. It probably should have been step one, but knowing what your book is about and how to summarize is very important. Agents don't want to hear about you and think that your resume is this
when really it's more like
There is no problem with having your resume be the second burger! The second burger is wonderful and delicious, despite the lack of condiments. Don't worry about the condiments lacking in your burger! Your burger is unique to you and what you have in your burger will make the agents interested.
Even if your burger is just two buns, that's fine! Loads of authors start out with no creds. Like me. I have nothing. My burger is just buns. But that's fine!
Now, if you do have credentials, mention them! Did your writing get acknowledged in any way? Did you get a scholarship of a short story? Did you win a national writing contest (shout out to my friend Katy who actually did you go girl)? Mention it!
Did you work as a cop and you're writing a murder story? Mention it!
Did you study abroad in Paris and are writing a story about something that happens in Paris?.... this one is a little tough. I'd say mention it, it shows that you've been there and so your story will have authenticity. But if it isn't too important, I'd suggest keeping it to yourself.
Anything that is a vital part of your book that you've had experience with (or know someone with experience in it)... MENTION IT! Agents want to know that you will have some level of authenticity to your book.
DO NOT give them a life story. Don't tell them how both you and your male protagonist took piano lessons and had a horrible teacher so they quit (actual example from my book hehe). Don't tell them how you came up with this idea during a sleepless night three years ago.
Basically, if it doesn't directly correlate with your writing skills or your book... leave it out.
I know this kinda goes without saying, but I've seen many examples of query letters that are something along the lines of:
Hey Ms. So and So!
I am looking for someone to represent my book. It's called Title and it is Words long.
blahblahblahmorewordsaboutthebookblahblah
Thanks for taking time to look at it!
Olivia
Nah mate. Don't do it. Sound professional. Don't say "Hey". They are not that person you knew in elementary school who you randomly bump into on the street.
No.
Instead, try "Dear". And when addressing them by name, if it is a woman say Ms. and if a man Mr. (cuz that's the only one they get). Ignore the Miss and Mrs.. Just go with Ms.. It's safer.
Try to cut down on the slang. If it sounds like you could send this to a friend and they think you'd be acting normal, change it.
What I do is I pretend I'm someone who studied law but never became a lawyer so whenever I write emails they're written like a lawyer. They're logically laid out.
You could also try and imagine you're Shakespeare or someone like that. They talked fancy-like. It could work.
Websites like Agent Query are great places to find agents. It's important to query multiple ones, so you have multiple people considering your book. That way, if one rejects it another could accept it.
Once you find an agent you want to query, MAKE SURE YOU CHECK THEIR GENRES. With Agent Query (#notspon) you can search by genre. That can take out this part of the searching, but it's always good to double check.
Once you do that, check what they want you to include in your letter. Some may want a few page of your manuscript, others don't want anything other than the synopsis.
DO NOT SEND ATTACHMENTS. Most of the time their servers delete ones with attachments because they can contain viruses (from hackers of course). If they request the first five pages in your query letter, sign off and then paste them as a post script.
At the end of your query, add something like, "I appreciate you taking your time to read my query. Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you."
These people get eighty billion queries a day (a bit of an exaggeration), and having something like that at the end of a good query shows you took time out and that you appreciate them.
~Olivia Ann
And now back to your regularly scheduled post.
Yes you do.
So, here it is!
Step 1: Know The Plot
First off, before you even start, you need to know what your book is about.
"But I'm writing it, I know what it's about!"
Yes, but that's not what I mean. You know when a friend (or an acquaintance who heard you are writing a book and wants a discount) comes up to you and asks, "What is your book about? You don't have to give me all the details, just a little summary," and you stand there for about thirty seconds thinking "how do I say this and not make it sound like I have problems?" Yeah. That's what I'm taking about.
Most of the time, that little summary is what you'll put into your query letters. The agents you're querying want to know what your book is about, and they want that little snippet you give them to be intriguing.
I heard it put one way on a website when I was researching; you want it to be a soundbite. Like that one line of a song that plays over and over in your head. When they get up from reading your letter to go get coffee or food or use the bathroom, you want that to be playing over in their head.
And no, I'm not saying that they need to remember it word for word. Just make it interesting enough so that they will think about it as they do other things.
As they get coffee: "I wonder how (insert Main Character) got into (insert situation)?"
As they are sitting on the toilet reading a book: "I could be reading (insert your name)'s book... that would make a good book."
As they drive in: "Hey this song sounds a bit like that query letter I read... hm, I'll have to look at that."
You want them to remember it. Make it short, but not too short. Detailed, but not too detailed. If you read it and think, "Yeah, that sounds like it could go on the back cover of a book," chances are you just stumbled upon your perfect summary.
BUT REMEMBER! NO SPOILERS! Spoilers are for 2-3 page Synopsis only! (And yes, some agents will ask for that.)
Step 2: Don't Over-Exaggerate Your Credentials
This. Is. Important. It probably should have been step one, but knowing what your book is about and how to summarize is very important. Agents don't want to hear about you and think that your resume is this
when really it's more like
There is no problem with having your resume be the second burger! The second burger is wonderful and delicious, despite the lack of condiments. Don't worry about the condiments lacking in your burger! Your burger is unique to you and what you have in your burger will make the agents interested.
Even if your burger is just two buns, that's fine! Loads of authors start out with no creds. Like me. I have nothing. My burger is just buns. But that's fine!
Now, if you do have credentials, mention them! Did your writing get acknowledged in any way? Did you get a scholarship of a short story? Did you win a national writing contest (shout out to my friend Katy who actually did you go girl)? Mention it!
Did you work as a cop and you're writing a murder story? Mention it!
Did you study abroad in Paris and are writing a story about something that happens in Paris?.... this one is a little tough. I'd say mention it, it shows that you've been there and so your story will have authenticity. But if it isn't too important, I'd suggest keeping it to yourself.
Anything that is a vital part of your book that you've had experience with (or know someone with experience in it)... MENTION IT! Agents want to know that you will have some level of authenticity to your book.
DO NOT give them a life story. Don't tell them how both you and your male protagonist took piano lessons and had a horrible teacher so they quit (actual example from my book hehe). Don't tell them how you came up with this idea during a sleepless night three years ago.
Basically, if it doesn't directly correlate with your writing skills or your book... leave it out.
Step 3: Be Professional
I know this kinda goes without saying, but I've seen many examples of query letters that are something along the lines of:
Hey Ms. So and So!
I am looking for someone to represent my book. It's called Title and it is Words long.
blahblahblahmorewordsaboutthebookblahblah
Thanks for taking time to look at it!
Olivia
Nah mate. Don't do it. Sound professional. Don't say "Hey". They are not that person you knew in elementary school who you randomly bump into on the street.
 |
| this is just a comic from an artist/comic writer I like |
No.
Instead, try "Dear". And when addressing them by name, if it is a woman say Ms. and if a man Mr. (cuz that's the only one they get). Ignore the Miss and Mrs.. Just go with Ms.. It's safer.
Try to cut down on the slang. If it sounds like you could send this to a friend and they think you'd be acting normal, change it.
What I do is I pretend I'm someone who studied law but never became a lawyer so whenever I write emails they're written like a lawyer. They're logically laid out.
You could also try and imagine you're Shakespeare or someone like that. They talked fancy-like. It could work.
Step 4: Take Time Researching Agents
Websites like Agent Query are great places to find agents. It's important to query multiple ones, so you have multiple people considering your book. That way, if one rejects it another could accept it.
Once you find an agent you want to query, MAKE SURE YOU CHECK THEIR GENRES. With Agent Query (#notspon) you can search by genre. That can take out this part of the searching, but it's always good to double check.
Once you do that, check what they want you to include in your letter. Some may want a few page of your manuscript, others don't want anything other than the synopsis.
DO NOT SEND ATTACHMENTS. Most of the time their servers delete ones with attachments because they can contain viruses (from hackers of course). If they request the first five pages in your query letter, sign off and then paste them as a post script.
Step 5: Thank Them For Their Time
At the end of your query, add something like, "I appreciate you taking your time to read my query. Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you."
These people get eighty billion queries a day (a bit of an exaggeration), and having something like that at the end of a good query shows you took time out and that you appreciate them.
Where are you in your writing journey? Do you have any questions you'd like me to write a post about? Let me know in the comments!
~Olivia Ann
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