The Fiction Query Letter

Many people have a tough time crafting their query. Basically, a query is not a business letter - it is a sales tool. It is the first thing they see to decide if they want to even glance at a synopsis or first page. Make it work for you.

A successful query letter should be at most one page and contain the following - and ONLY the following:

1. Salutation. I don't know that I'd necessarily tell them you got their name from Publishers' Marketplace - now, if you were referred to them or have met them, then, yes, mention that.

2. Intro of the work - name, genre, word count and a high-concept line if you've got it. (Dorothy Gale meets JAWS is the one for my current manuscript, as an example.) Perhaps your genre description is your high-concept: time-travel, medieval mystery is another of mine (I have gotten a request from that.) Things like saying "I'd like to present an unusual proposal" would, I feel, put them on the defensive. Kind of like saying you've got the next DaVinci Code. Let the work stand on its own merits. Instead of telling them that it's unusual, show them with the description (see? telling vs. showing all over the place LOL).

3. A *blurb* about the manuscript, typically a paragraph. Keep this in third person. You want to highlight the character(s)' GMC - goal, motivation and conflict. (See "Goal, Motivation, Conflict by Debra Dixon.) Show the resolution, the ending. No "if you want to see how this ends, you'll have to buy the book." People do it; honest. Editors/agents will reject because of it. Hook them with the story; you don't need to tell them they will travel from here to here. Show the story. What is the catalyst for his journey? What are his obstacles? Is this a mystery or a history? Is this adventure/thriller/etc. What does he learn/do - that is, what's his character arc, how does he grow.

4. Any relevant credentials you have regarding subject matter. - ONLY - in a concise form: I am an archaeologist who has studied this time period, etc. No resume in the query letter on things not relevant to the story. They are interested in first time authors for the story they are submitting, not your career path. If they want to read the story and subsequently buy/rep the story, then, yes, where you see your writing career will come into play. But first and foremost, it's all about the story.

5. Contact information.

6. Thank you and your signature.


Some publishers will accept a synopsis and a few pages. Others don't. You will usually get rejected if you don't follow their submission guidelines.