The amazing and generous Jonathan Maberry shared with us last October a number of tips on the steps to follow to get our work published. You can review the recording of that workshop here: https://www.sdweg.org/Workshop-Replay-Videos#Maberry
In addition, Rose de Guzman included a number of tips on writing query letters in her prsentation to the Author Marketing Support group in February of this year. You can review the recording of that session here: https://www.sdweg.org/Marketing-Replay-Videos/#Feb2025
Note that the recorded replays of our meetings are only available to current members when they are logged in. If you would like access to our replay libraries, consider joining the Guild for that and other benefits.
We've pulled out a few of the main points from Jonathan's presentation and gathered information from other sources regarding writing a query letter for this blog post. Watch for other blog posts on other topics Jonathan touched on in his presentation.
What is a Query Letter?
After completing your manuscript, submitting a query letter is the first step to getting your book published. Query letters are an avenue for literary agents to learn about your book idea, so it's important to set a good first impression and generate interest. A well-written query letter is key to signing your book and finding someone to represent you for publication.
Essential parts of a query letter
A query letter will typically follow this general structure:
- Introduction
- Story description
- Comp titles
- Author's biography
- Closing
Let's dive into how you should approach each part.
Introduction
In your introduction, address the audience and your purpose for reaching out.
Devising a hook
Since agents go through multiple query letters a day, you should open your letter with something strong and attention-grabbing. Mentioning a point of connection, such as a previous meeting or referral, can be a good starting point if applicable.
Otherwise, open with something related to your story.
Introducing your novel
Make sure to include these 3 basic (but crucial) pieces of information about your manuscript:
Story description
The story description will comprise the bulk of the query letter and is arguably the most important part. In your description, include your protagonist(s), general plot, and anything else your audience should know. Since a query letter only runs about one page, brevity is essential. Give agents a taste of your writing style, but make sure the description doesn't go into extraneous detail (something between 150 and 180 words is usually recommended). Lastly, remember that you need to hook your audience. Agents should be interested in your idea from the get-go and compelled to read more.
Comp titles
To strengthen your query letter, mention any comparable titles (comp titles for short) that are similar to your manuscript. The idea is that through the provided titles, agents will be able to get a sense of your novel's intended audience and market.
If you find that there are no novels that quite fit the scope of your book, comp titles are completely optional.
Author’s biography
Make sure to include a brief introduction to yourself, including any previous works, awards, or other achievements in the writing.
Closing
Politely thank your reader for their time. This is also where you place your call to action—a request to the agent to check out your manuscript.
Notes:
To maximize success, personalize your letters to individual agents' requirements and preferences. Some agents might require comp titles, for example, while for others comp titles are more of a suggestion.
For an example of a query letter, check out this version by Jonathan Maberry:
This summary of key points in writing a synopsis was prepared by Rita Sithideth, a student volunteer supporting the Guild.
