The Scoop on Queries

Merritt Island photo taken before writing The Distant Shore

I recently received questions from several aspiring writers concerning book queries so I'd like to revisit that topic.

A query is a one-page, single-spaced (normally manuscripts and corresponding letters should be double spaced, but a query is an exception) pitch letter to an editor or agent. The goal is to receive a request for more material - either a book proposal (another whole can of worms covered in a previous post), or a partial or full manuscript.

So the goal of your query is to introduce your topic, describe your book, and pique interest for more by doing it in a unique and entertaining way.

In order to achieve this goal, you must put serious thought into your query. That means time and energy. You need to include a clever pitch for your book, a brief bio, and your marketing strategy (how you intend to help sell your book). Unless your name rhymes with bowling and you write books about boy wizards, you're expected to get out there and market your book. Do you do event speaking? Do you blog? Have you a website?

Mention these if you do and make sure they're updated and ready for visitors. You can bet if the agent or editor is interested in you, they'll be visiting your website or blog.


Research by way of Writer's Market or Christian Writers' Market Guide the name of the appropriate acquisitions editor (many publishing houses have a whole host of editors; make sure you're sending your precious baby to the correct one). NEVER write to Sir or Madam or To Whom It May Concern. This may seem silly or trite to you, but it's not to them. It shows you care enough and are professional enough to do your homework.

Don't risk the slush pile over something you can control.

Be aware that not all publishers deal directly with authors; some only deal with agents.Whether they do or not will be listed in their submission guidelines. Obtain and follow the submission guidelines exactly - it's a good idea to not only obtain info from the Market Guides, but also go to the publisher's website for the guidelines posted there as well.

Make a short list of publishers or agents who look like a good match for your book - publishers and agents both have specific topics/genres they're looking for. Don't send a cat query to a dog agent.


If you're a non-fiction writer, be sure to list your platform information in your query - why you're an expert on this topic and why people will buy your book. But resist tooting your own horn too much; editors dislike (hate seems too strong here, but it's pretty close to the truth) aspiring authors to make claims like, "My book is the next Gone With the Wind." or "I'm going to make you a fortune."

Keep your word count to 100,000 words or less - very few, and I do mean VERY few first time authors will get a second glance when they pitch an epic novel. If your book is too long, consider breaking it into two books and pitch a possible series.

Never use the term, "fictional novel" - a blatant beginners mistake and you've just branded yourself an amateur. It's either fictional or a novel. The terms are redundant and you only need to use one.

Do some research on the agent or publishing house and comment on some of their previous work that you've enjoyed, or better yet, compare your work to some of their previous work. (They obviously liked that book or they wouldn't have published it!).

It's always good to have one or more self-published books under your belt before you query traditional publishers, but be aware that they don't consider you a "previously published author" if you're self-published. Simply state that you're self-published and your titles, and if it's impressive, the number of copies sold. (Self-Published books average 75 copies sold, so if you can state 2000 or more, include it.)
  
Agents are awesome (I love mine: Greg Johnson of WordServe) because they open doors you can't as an author. Unfortunately, it's not easy to get a literary agent to represent a first book, but if you've self-published or used a small press for previous books, you have a leg to stand on when querying an agent. Research and query them the very same way you would a publishing house. Standard agent commission if 15% and it's well worth it for all the work they do on your behalf. They don't get paid a penny unless they sell your book, so they're highly motivated and often full of great ideas to help you improve your manuscript. 

Look for sample queries in the two market guides listed above and plan to spend as much time perfecting your query as you would a manuscript. You only have one shot. Don't miss.

Avoid the Dreary Query

Query letters are an essential element to getting your book/article noticed by the people who matter. The ones who make the decisions to publish or toss your agonized-over words carelessly in the slush pile . . . agents, editors and eventually publishers.

Don't take queries lightly.

Basically, a query is a 1-page pitch that should reflect the tone, content and your thinly disguised passion for your piece. It must display your writing skills (NO typos, use perfect grammar and punctuation, "show" don't "tell" by NOT stating the obvious, etc.) and in short, give the editor a juicy taste of the delectable fare yet to come when they request part or all of your manuscript.

Did you catch the part about passion? Very important: NO dreary queries.

You must stand out head & shoulders above the other hundreds of queries the agent scans that day - you have about 7 seconds to make your impression before she moves on to the next one. So without overstating your case ("This is positively the Harry Potter series!"), throw out your baited hook in the first sentence (the distinguishing feature of your book), include genre and title in the first paragraph, a brief bio in another paragraph (remember, this isn't about you, it's about whether your book is marketable or not) and exit your book description quickly by way of a clever but subtle cliffhanger.

The trick is to make her want more without appearing that you're trying too hard.

Spend hours, days, or even weeks reducing your story to one or two powerful sentences that will make the editor or agent sit up and take notice. Anything but brief is just plain grief to an overworked, underpaid agent or editor, so KISS (Keep It Short & Succinct)!

Be sure to address the recipient correctly (NO Dear Sir or Madam or To Whom it May Concern), include a SASE and NEVER utter the #1 novice faux pas: "I have written a fictional novel." You will get nowhere but the slush pile by repeating yourself. (Wouldn't that make a great name for a rock band: Repetitive Redundancy?)

You have either written fiction or a novel, not both. It's like saying I'm a female girl.

Remember, your book is judged by your query to determine it it'll ever get a chance to be judged by its cover. So make your query work for you rather than against you!

Handy, Helpful Hints for a Successful One-page Query

1. Address your query to the appropriate editorial department—Adult Fiction, Adult Nonfiction, Young Adult/Children.

2. Review a publisher's guidelines carefully. Does your book idea match its areas of interest? Are you familiar with the kinds of books it publishes? If not, take some time to peruse the books listed on the Web site.

3. Read one of the publisher's books in the same genre as your own to familiarize yourself with its line.

4. Explain why you chose that publisher. Show that you know its needs and are aware of what it publishes. For example, you might lead with something like the following: "Because of the success of your highly acclaimed author Janette Oke, I know that historical novels are a core part of your publishing program. I feel my novel, (title), would fit nicely into your historical fiction line."

5. Present your "sound bite" statement about your novel or nonfiction book idea in 40 words or less. "My book is about _______," will identify its most unique, compelling feature.

The fiction sound bite should focus on the story, and might include the heroic character, the central issue of the story, the heroic goal, the worthy adversary, action, the ending, a grabber, or a twist.

The nonfiction sound bite should include the main focus or topic. One suggestion is to describe the Problem, Solution, and Application.

6. Tell why your book is distinctive. What’s fresh, new, or different? Who will read the book (women, men–adult, teen, child)? For Young Adult/Children, specify the age group of your intended audience (7 – 10, 8 – 12, etc.).

7. Include pertinent manuscript details: a) Is the manuscript complete? b) How long is the finished book (approximate word count)? c) Give brief pertinent biographical information, including published works. d) Is this proposal a simultaneous submission?

8. Tell how to contact you to pursue further information/sample chapters.

Source: Bethany House Publishers