Tag: writing

Once you have found a literary agent that fits you and your work, there are still quite a few steps that you have to complete. One of these steps is writing a query letter. A properly-written query letter will significantly increase the chances that a literary agent will accept your work. As a result, it is vital that you know how to do this if you are serious about becoming a successful writer.

Writing a query letter can prove challenging if you are unsure how to do it or what you should include. Without further ado, here is what you should know about writing the perfect query letter.

What Is A Query Letter?

It is important to establish what a query letter is before getting into how to write one. Essentially, a query letter is your pitch to a literary agent in an attempt to interest them in your work. This query letter should be one page long and contain a synopsis of your work.

Additionally, you could consider comparing your work to similar works. You should mention any credentials you have, such as anything that you have gotten published previously. This will help get your foot in the door. At the end of the query letter, it is polite and professional to thank the recipient for taking the time to read it.

It is a great way to demonstrate your professionalism. Now that it is clear what a query letter is, let’s move on to some tips for writing a great query letter.

Ensure That You Format It Professionally

One of the most important steps in creating a top-notch query letter is making it as professional as possible. To that end, you should format it professionally. As previously stated, your query letter should not be longer than a single page. If it is, you should shorten it so that it is only one page long. That is the standard length for a query letter.

You might be accustomed to writing double-spaced documents, but you should use single-space formatting for your query letter. You should also ensure that you use one-inch margins, as well. As you might expect, font choice is important, as well. You should choose a font that is both easy to read and professional.

Times New Roman or Arial size 12 font is a good choice. Those fonts are both easily readable and professional. It is a good idea not to use any fonts that contain serifs. Both Google Docs and Microsoft Word have templates that you can use when creating formal business letters. Using those templates can help you save time when writing a query letter.

A heading is another component of a well-written query letter.

Include A Header In Your Query Letter

Including an effective header is another step in creating an excellent query letter. When creating your header, you should include your contact information, the recipient’s information, and the date on which you wrote your query letter. Whenever possible, use the literary agent’s name in your header. This is much better than an informal address, such as ‘To Whom It May Concern’.

“Dear Agent” is another way of addressing the literary agent that you should avoid if possible. Addressing the literary agent by name can help you gain their attention. It demonstrates that you researched them and learned their name. It also demonstrates that you are willing to put in the work necessary to create a mutually beneficial professional relationship with them.

Write An Effective Hook

You should include an effective hook in the opening paragraph of your query letter. A hook is intended to convince the recipient to read the rest of your query letter. An effective hook is essential to giving you the best possible chance of success.

Your hook should capture the recipient’s attention and persuade them to continue reading your query letter. A noteworthy detail about your work or even part of your work can be included as your hook. It is up to you to decide what to use for your hook. However, you should ensure that you use the strongest hook that you can come up with, as long as it relates logically to your story.

Literary agents are busy, so a query letter without a strong hook may be rejected. It is also good to include a short summary of your work, known as a synopsis, in your query letter.

Create A Short Summary Of Your Work

You should include a synopsis of your work in your query letter’s body paragraphs. As previously mentioned, the synopsis is a short summary of your work. The synopsis should provide an overview of your story’s key elements and primary points. Style, genre, setting, and characters are a few example of elements that you could cover in your synopsis.

It is often best to write your synopsis in your query letter’s second paragraph. Make sure to sell your story to the literary agent in your synopsis. Additionally, remember not to overload your synopsis with excruciating detail. A high-level overview is sufficient.

Discuss Your Credentials And Thank The Literary Agent

Following your synopsis, you should discuss your credentials. Mention any work that you have gotten published in recognized websites or publications. You should also discuss any educational accomplishments that are relevant to your story or writing in general.

After you have discussed your credentials, you should thank the literary agent for taking the time to read your query letter. A statement of gratitude is a good way to start. An example of a statement of gratitude is: “I appreciate you taking the time to read my query letter. I hope to hear from you soon”. Include a polite closing line after that, such as ‘Best regards’.

You should include your name after your closing line.

Proofreading is also a vital step in the process of creating an exceptional query letter.

Take The Time To Proofread The Query Letter

You don’t want to make a bad impression on the literary agent by making simple mistakes. As a result, you should proofread your query letter and fix any errors that you find. Check spelling, grammar, and syntax. You may even want to read it out loud to see if it flows well.

Taking the time to do this will increase your chances of success and at the very least, establishes a positive habit.

Come Back Soon to Learn about Researching Literary Agencies

Writing a query letter is an important step in the process. However, it is far from the final step. Check back soon to learn about researching literary agencies for the genre of your story.