7 Essential Tips for Crafting the Perfect Query Letter

Crafting a compelling query letter is an art form every aspiring author needs to master. This crucial introduction to your book serves as your first impression to agents and publishers, and getting it right could mean the difference between a manuscript in the slush pile and one on the fast track to publication.

Here are 7 essential tips to help you craft the perfect query letter:

What Is A Query Letter?  

In short, a query letter is a message you send to agents or editors that will explain who you are and what your manuscript is about.

If the agent or publishing company is interested, they will ask for more of your manuscript (known as a partial). Later in the process, they could ask for the entire manuscript (a complete request). 

At times, the agent or publisher may ask for a full immediately, but everyone’s process is slightly different.

In essence, query letters are introductions to you and your work. You want it to be as good as possible which means you must ensure that the book has been well-edited before submission.

 Tip 1: Do Not Submit Unless They Are Accepting!

First and foremost, you need to look at the individual publication or agent to see if they are currently accepting submissions, and if so, can you submit online. While rare, some publications require snail mail (the physical copy to be sent to them). Many publications will have a submission period to announce on their website, social media, or through an email list that submissions are open.

Publishing a book is a process. It requires editing the manuscript, formatting the text, creating the book cover, marketing, etc. Thus, a publication will not be open unless they have the resources to devote to publishing new books. If you submit when they are not accepting, you pretty much guarantee this publication will not publish your manuscript.

Tip 2: Do Your Research! Know Your Audience

Have you made sure that this is a publication or agent you want to sign with? Do their values match yours? Do they even publish in the genre you write in? You first need to make sure this is a good fit for you and your work. You also need to research who you are addressing, especially if it is an agent. Do not use generic terms like “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dearest Agent.” If you do, this would be a red flag that you did not do your research, and if you do not bother to look up who you will be signing with, why should they publish your book?

Address your agent by name. Or research who to address if you seek direct publication from a publisher. Make sure that your publisher is accepting unsolicited manuscripts; otherwise, you will have to go through an agent.

The more you show you have done your research, the more likely your query letter will be taken seriously.

Tip 3: Do Not Send Attachments Right Out the Gate  

This goes back to doing your research and following the guidelines correctly. You do not want to include an attachment unless it is asked. It does not matter if you are sending a .doc, .docx, .pdf, or a magical, universal file format that has not been invented yet. Most email services, such as Gmail, will automatically flag attachments from unknown senders as spam. Of course, you are not a spammer, but you do not want to be mistaken.

If you insist on including some examples of your work, I suggest linking it to your blog, an online portfolio, or providing links to previous results. Keep in mind that most publications will use a form service like submittable for ease of use.  

Tip 4: Have A Catchy Subject Line (Unless They Have A Specific Format)

Do not neglect your subject line! Before I got into marketing, I wrote basic, boring subject lines and understood how vital a catchy, dynamic email subject line is. Sometimes a publication will want a simple format like Escamilla, Christina – Life of a Cutie Patootie 2023 Query.

However, if you can submit any subject line you want, you can up the drama. For instance, the above story could be something like How does one go from a shy book nerd to a cutie patootie? Read [Book] to find out! It may sound gimmicky, but you want that kind of excitement so that your manuscript query email is opened.

Again, this depends on your audience. The above might interest me, but it may make someone else cringe.

Tip 5: The Opening Paragraph Should Be Your Pitch

One of the most significant issues I have seen with submissions is that authors copy/paste a synopsis of their book and then copy/paste their bio. It is good that you have a summary on hand but remember your query is addressed to an individual. Thus, you need to understand how your book is relevant to them.

One of the best query letters I have seen is received through my undergraduate magazine Glass Mountain. The writer took time to look at the website, which listed all of us associate editors on the page and then addressed us comically and engagingly. It certainly did not make us immediately publish his work, but it did make us less critical of his piece than the others who did not take the time to follow the rules.

Tip 6: Be Personable but Not Rude

This is a big one!

You need to stand out from the crowd by showing who you are. Many writers make the mistake of only listing their writing credentials or educational history. This is all well and good and generally the standard, but what makes you different from other writers? For instance, if you wrote a true crime book, it would be worth mentioning that you spent some time as a police officer.

If you are a horror writer, did you once meet Stephen King while in line at the bathroom at the World Horror Convention? Maybe you once visited the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and were inspired to become a writer. Everyone has a story!

This is interesting and shows you are personable and understand that book marketing also includes selling the author. However, some writers make the mistake of being too personal, meaning they can be pretentious, entitled, and downright rude. Or, on the flip side, they might overshare and be too excitable without making it past the first step.

I have gotten more than my fair share of rude messages during my time in the slush pile, especially after someone gets rejected. It never feels good and made me and other agents/publications not want to publish your work. We want to work with authors, not for them. 

Tip 7: Remember That Every Rejection Is an Invitation to Submit Elsewhere  

Do not take rejection as an attack on your skill level or whether or not you can be a published author. There are also times that you will not get any feedback on your work, which can often happen. Instead, go back to your piece, think critically, and see what you can do to improve upon it.

Then, keep submitting!

Your acceptance letter may be just around the corner.

MORE WRITING ARTICLES YOU MIGHT FIND INTERESTING