How to Write a Query Letter from Start to End
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- čas přidán 9. 07. 2024
- Query letters may seem simple enough on the surface, but every word, sentence, and paragraph in an effective literary agent query letter should be tailored and intentional, especially since your ultimate goal is to entice the literary agent into requesting your full manuscript. Whether you are just now learning how to write a query letter or revising one you already have, watch this video for a paragraph-by-paragraph breakdown on the ever-important, ever-perplexing query letter.
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MORE BOOK PUBLISHING ADVICE:
How to Write a Book Blurb: • How to Write the Perfe...
Strong Comparable Titles: • How to Choose Strong C...
Biggest Query Letter Mistakes: • Biggest Query Letter M...
HOW TO WRITE A QUERY LETTER:
01:52 - Personalization & Overview
05:08 - Blurb
06:46 - Comparable Titles
09:04 - Author Bio
11:25 - Closing Paragraph
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ABOUT ME:
My name is Alyssa Matesic, and I’m a professional book editor with 7+ years of book publishing and editorial experience. Throughout my career, I’ve held editorial roles across both sides of the publishing industry: Big Five publishing houses and literary agencies. The goal of this channel is to help writers throughout the book writing journey-whether you're working on your manuscript or you're looking for publishing advice.
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Your advice has been most helpful for me in the writing and presentation of my first novel. I am querying now and you have helped me greatly with comparatives. This video is the best yet in summing up the querying process. Thank you so much, Susan
I'm so glad! I wish you the best of luck with the querying process!
I’m about to write my first query letter for my first novel and this really simplified the process. Thanks a bunch!
Glad it was helpful! Good luck querying your novel!
There are a lot of helpful tips in this. Thank you! I am in the editing process of my sixth novel. The first five were self-published and are doing well but I think it’s time to work with an agent and take my writing career to the next level. I’m loving your videos!
You got this!
I'm about a third through my first draft and have been binging all your videos! I have to say, you are brilliant. Thank you
Hands down, this is the best video I've ever seen about query letters. Thank you very, very much. So helpful!
Will be studying this. About to get laid off in 60 days and I have been working on a novel series for 4 years. I have volume one done and finishing up volume 2. Hopefully I will be able to take it somewhere and God will bless me good fortune. Thank you for the video explaining this as it has helped the anxiety a little bit.
Good luck! Rooting for you 👏
@@Jdawg96-to2lf thank you. I appreciate it. Finishing up volume two and maybe having two books back to back will be a good starting point. 😊
Im just about to start making my query letter. Thank you for this information. I was planning on self publishing when I started my book. But writing it was enough work. Deciding to go traditional is scary but Im hoping it will be worth it. Im writing a self help about leveraging the conditioning and skill developed in childhood trauma as an adult. I hope someone will find it worth publishing. My editor thinks it will. I remain hopeful.
I came back to it, as I'm starting my query prep, and I must say it's gold. Thank you!
I took notes! Getting this DONE, Alyssa - THANK YOU!
Good thing I have hired you to write my letter. Even when I have been getting rejections, but you already explained very well how to understand the responses.
Keep up with your videos. Always informative.
I gotta say I’ve been watching your videos a while. I wrote a novel I really want to get published. 111,000 words. 22 chapters. I’ve always wanted to write but I’m dyslexic. Getting it to where it is was a lot. Stressful on the proofreading, used programs to assist. Now I’m just starting in hopes of getting it published.
So all of this is overwhelming. In some videos you speak to people like me saying. Hey you finished great job. Don’t worry if you’re not a great writer. To hey! You need to know all these peoples works, don’t turn them off and oh yeah have comps and have everything finished and refined. Otherwise you seem like you don’t know what you’re doing.
Yep! I sure don’t!
This video has been a great confidence builder as I am just starting down the query road. I will definitely watch the "blurb" and "comp titles" videos next. Thanks again for all you do.
Glad it was helpful!
Hahaha, the ending had me rolling on the floor. “We’re going to sell a million books”. Do people actually send that to agents? 🤣
You'd be surprised!
I can see how the stress of trying to attract attention would bring a person to write this. I find it so stressful that I find I rarely write query letters, so thank you for this video.
LMAO 😂😂
Alyssa. KUDOS. Another excellent lesson. I recorded the audio, and will listen to it many times during my work commute.
Thank you for this, Alyssa!
I finished my first draft and have barely got into my second draft when i lost a bit of motivation. I probably just didnt wait long enough after the first draft to start the second, it wasnt much time. Anyway i figured i would just do a query letter to give myself a bit more motivation.
Definitely take a break from your manuscript if you need it! I think mixing it up and working on your query letter is a great idea when you're not feeling motivated to write. You might be interested in another of my videos - czcams.com/video/LacSmH_Rtm8/video.html It offers some additional tips for when you need a motivation boost.
Thank you so much for this! Im finishing writing my first novel and I hope by next year I can find an agent!
Thank you again for the clear explanation.
Needed this🙌
Thank you for sharing all your advice here, it's been very helpf helpful as I am revising my first manuscript (contemporary fiction) and preparing to query literary agents :) Really appreciate it!
Thank you! Helpful and simple to digest 🙏🏼
Wonderful and inspiring video! Excellently presented and helpful! I look forward to watching more.
Preparing my own query letter. Thank you for all your help.
the best advice, thank you!
I follow you on TikTok and I am so happy to know that you have a CZcams channel! What a nice surprise☻ immediately subscribed
Thanks so much!
Thank you.❤
Another very helpful video. It clarified what I've already done and offered more to strongly consider. Thankyou!
Thanks for this video :) I'm currently thinking about querying agents for my fiction, so I'm taking all the information I can get.
Exactly the video I needed right now!
Glad it helped!
Excellent!
Very much appreciate this video!
I'm preparing to query in October. Thank you so much for this video.
Best of luck! 😊
Excellent video. Thank you!
Nice. I can work on this on the side, to give myself a break from the story. I'm not at the querying stage yet but yeah... Thanks.
I tried to be quirky in my query. 😬 Thanks for sharing your knowledge! I’m gonna start over better now.
Thank you for your advice and insight.
Glad it was helpful!
Subscribed! Any info on the children’s book industry is appreciated. Great videos :)
I've heard polarized advice about the genre/wordcount paragraph. Some say put it at the end and some at the beginning.
i always wonder how creative one can get with comp titles... like, what if the best comparison is "game of thrones if it was written by tina fey" or "murderbot in the regency era." can i say that?
Thank you this has been very helpful as I’m just getting started good. I have 15 books published with 100 more to write.
Excellent insight. Thank you Alyssa. Just finished the second draft of my first novel and love your videos.
Keep up the good work!
Really helpful. Short, precise and well presented. Just like a query should be, aye?
This was honestly the most helpful thing I've found for querying, thank you.
I'm so glad you found it helpful! Thanks for commenting!
Great video and thank you
I really appreciate your videos! I've been struggling to get a couple independently published books out there. So, I'm planning to pitch some query letters out there later this year when I'm done with my third book. Thanks for your helpful content!
Best of luck!
Never written anything more engrossing than a shopping list.
Just finished 79,500 words.
Writing my Letter, starting tomorrow.
Best of luck Mike!
It's done
Useful info. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you
Yay first 🥳
Great video, just what I needed just now, thank you.
I was just wondering, what do you put as the subject of the email?
Thanks! I just sent my first query this week!!
''and so the games begin!''
Haha, congrats! I wish you the best with this querying journey :)
How are the games going?
This was extremely helpful!❤
Glad it was helpful!
I am embarrassed to admit that I didn't even know that query letters existed before this week. I've been writing unpublished stories for a decade and never had the confidence to try to publish. I've decided to start taking it more seriously. Thanks for the information.
How to publish?
Great content! I'd like to know more about the best ways to personalize, especially referencing agents' manuscript wish lists?
Love your videos. At least two other folks in the industry, an author/professor and an editor, have told me the bio should be the first paragraph in a query letter. I like your suggestion that it should be last, but I wonder if it used to appear in first paragraph in query letters and there's been a change?
I've never seen anyone say to have a separate paragraph just for comps! I usually see it wrapped into the metadata (opening) paragraph. That's where I have mine! So, a three sentence paragraph instead of a two sentence paragraph. It's basically... "Because you [personalization], here is my novel [genre, word count, etc. This [adjective] story features [tropes]. It will appeal to fans of [comps].
This is another great template to use! Thank you for sharing :)
Watching this video to get an idea on what and how to write a query letter. Currently still in the process of writing my novel
Great video, but I've heard from several agents that as long as you put it in a clearly visible separate paragraph, you can have metadata before or after your plot paragraphs.
Hey Alyssa - helpful advice. If you can't find a book/author that particularly aligns with the agent, could you write a personalized line about the genres they're looking for? I.e. "I noticed you're looking for literary fiction, which is why I ask you to represent my book," etc. I know it's not as good as a specific title they represented but wondering if it's better than nothing. Thanks!
Hi Alyssa! Do you have any specific suggestions for poets? Specifically regarding the blurb section. Thank you so much for the help!
Thank you Alyssa.
Is it common for a cover letter to also accompany the quiere?
If so, what should it say?
I love this! How many words do you think the query should ideally be? I’ve been struggling with that cuz at first I sent a long version and got many rejections but I later on corrected that. Do you also think it’s worth resubmitting to the agents who haven’t answered yet if my first query wasn’t up to par?
Thanks for your advice. I know it's a very subjective market, and that a thick skin is required with the knowledge that one may have to endure dozens of rejections. I have had a 'professional' create a query letter for me recently, but I don't know enough to know how effective it is yet, but you both seem to be on the same page. Time will tell.
Hi! Attended a really cool pitching event I helped organize via writing organization, WNBA, the San Fran chapter, and I pitched my poetry chapbook to a really cool literary agent, who asked me to send her my working manuscript. Now it’s just time to wait the 10 weeks until I hopefully hear back! Since she already heard my pitch, I only briefly summarized the central theme of the collection, and left out the comp titles and author bio, since she already heard all that information during the Zoom pitch. I hope that wasn’t a mistake! I also noticed that the formatting got messed up for four lines of only one page where the font is different from the rest of the manuscript. Would love to hear if this would be an issue for many agents, and would lead to my MS being thrown out? Thanks!!! Love your channel as both a writer and editorial assistant in the indie publishing world!
I have been ripped off by 2 possibly 3 publishers. My dream has always been a traditional publisher. I've tried loads of agents. But will try your advice as well.
Thank you very much for your advice. Does a non-fiction writer need a fully completed manuscript before sourcing a literary agent?
Well looks like I'm in tricky position as far as publishers go---my novel is 160K words--no way it can be cut down to 100k or even 140k...perhaps I should just try going for a netflicks series--it's a no brainer for that format according to readers and I think that too--its fun, has soul, is unique, magical and wild--- a magical realism yarn... didn't know publishers were so hung on smaller novels though I can see the logic in that.
But let me put this to you--you seem to be a very sharp person, you present extremely well, and clearly know a lot about the industry....say you had something very special and totally unique and it was 160K words and not much trimmable fat in the tale (certainly not 40,000 or 60,000 words worth)...is there any way you could get it through the industry's defenses against larger novels. I do have one novel on Amazon with all 5-star reviews but not a lot of sales.
Again, compliments on your videos--you really put together good stuff and present extremely well. Thanks for your work.
I have a prologue, epilogue, and appendix in my book. Should I include these in the word count of my query? If so, do I give each as an individual? Or just say complete at the total word count for all?
Thanks a million! I have a question. My book is a non-fiction English book for middle grade students based around stories and teaching kids how to analyze stories using the hero’s journey. I’m also an illustrator (I’m pretty good), and the book will have my illustrations in it. Do you think it would be helpful to spice up the query letter with a few illustrations from the book?
Thumbs up if you sent out a query only to discover a typo afterward. I raise my glass to you, my friends.
Alyssa!! I keep finding conflicting advice on whether you should add [name, address, phone number, email] to your query letter. Either the agent you're querying (at the top left) or your own (at the bottom left). Older query letter examples I've found seem to show this as standard practice (well, as old as 2020, anyway) - and examples I see that are current and up-to-date for 2022 don't seem to include these at all. Please let us know whether these should be included or not. Is it okay to leave them out and just start with Dear [Agent Name,] - and end with Sincerely, [Author Name]?
How do you go about querying when you want to publish under a pseudonym? Do you use your government name when submitting or use the pen name in the letter?
This has been so helpful. My question stems from the comparable books section. I am writing a memoir and I have read two memoirs that have a lot in common with my own. The only giant difference is that both of those authors are celebrities and I am not. Would it make sense to put those as my comparable book titles? Or am I better off finding memoirs from the more general population like me?
Would it be weird to write the entire letter it in third person? Like a it a blurb or about the author would be written on a website....
I’m about finished my first full length science fiction book and started writing the query letter/email.
Could you look over the query and tell me if it’s good? I have a hook, synopsis, bio-but I’m new to all of this, I have no idea what I’m doing, I just want to make a good first impression for my query emails
just before this I saw in another video there was an example of a successful query letter that started with a story hook, so what am I supposed to do??
Hi Alyssa. I watch your videos and they are really helpful. I have a question, I'm received conflicting information on how much I need to put in a query letter. My editor says to put the entire plot overview into it while other sources say not to and to keep it one page around 250 - 350 pages. My editor was last informed that query letters followed the entire plot method but I and her are not sure what the standard is right now. I would appreciate your help.
I have two questions. First, in the author bio section, should I list a previously published book that was published using the Hybrid/Vanity method and sold ALMOST twenty copies? Second (this is a two-parter), are sample pages only sent if asked for or do I include them with every query? Also, are the sample pages the first pages of the MS or any pages I choose?
As always, thank you for all you do to help us out.
As I Canadian, my book would still be published by American publishing houses (the Big Five) even though I don't live in the States?
Should I include that I'm an emerging writer in my query?
I'm a newbie to the publishing process and I need adequate editing. I need help.
Hi, Alyssa, l have self published two books through Amazon KDP and recorded and uploaded the Audible versions.
What would happen now if I try to get published traditionally? Or am I stuck with Amazon?
I was wondering about your rule in the comp section not to use books older than 5 years and books that are considered canons of the genre. One of the books I wanted to mention was How the Grinch Stole Christmas as my story shares a similar tale of redemption and salvation of Christmas for a small town. What do you think?
this might be a stupid question, but is this all in an email format or is it in a separate document that will be linked in the the email?
This video would be a lot better if you could show examples of a query as you talk about it, that way we can see--in rough strokes--how to apply your suggestions.
Hey Alyssa! I have two questions: I have a book that is 'published' on Wattpad, and as a Wattpad author, I am allowed to see the demographics of my audience. My Wattpad novel is a hockey player - fan romance, and the current novel that I am interested in getting traditionally published is a Mafia Romance. When Querying I do feel like mentioning the amount of reads I have on my hockey romance in the author bio paragraph as a credential. But, my question is, should I include my demographics? My demos for the hockey romance are 53% 18-25 years of age. I feel like this could be helpful already knowing that I have an audience that enjoys my reading, but I also feel like adding it in my Query, could be potentially limiting.
My next question is: Should I mention my hockey romance in the 'Comparable Titles' paragraph? I'm on the fence mainly because it is not traditionally published and is also written by me but, it is my writing style and can be used an an example for how I write.
Thank you so much for all of your information and guidance! It is truly helpful and reassuring through this process.
Light and Love, Elizabeth James (Good closing paragraph) lol
Love this! I’m about to start seriously querying and the letter is definitely a source of stress. ?? Question ??
If you want to personalize, but are pitching a newer agent without published authors yet, would it still be good to pull tidbits from their Manuscript Wishlist and use a similar phrasing?
“I see you’re looking for something like [e.g., Bridgerton meets Bridge Kingdom] and thought you might like my story, which has similar themes.”
Of course, only if your story actually does align in some way? I’ve found newer agents are a bit more descriptive in their MSWL, giving you more to work with.
Hey Lina, if you're doing sci-fi/fantasy YA, would you be interested in doing a query letter or even 10-page swap? I'm at the same stage as you, soon to start a round of querying. Cheers!
What about query letters for audiobook authors
I hope this isn’t a weird question, but I’m still a teenager (16) and ready to publish a novel, should I try not to mention my age in the letter? I don’t want to be judged just because of my age. Thanks for your help!!
Thank you for this refresher. I am in the process of tweaking my query letter now. I have sent off some query's and have only gotten rejections. The agents that I have gotten rejections from didn't even give me any vague tips on what else to do. I of course believe in my project so I am just going to keep on submitting.
Glad it was helpful! I wish you the best of luck with querying!
Hi Micia, if you're doing sci-fi/fantasy YA, would you be interested in doing a query letter or even 10-page swap? I'm at the same stage as you, soon to start a round of querying. Cheers!
@@arnoldtanjunhan sorry, I do adult fiction/romance. Good luck to you 🎉
@@plmwrites no worries. And to you!
Are agents clients listed on their web site bio?
I was born in Kenya but I live in the US with my family but my manuscript story is based in Kenya. My manuscript is in British English and I am so confused as to which country to query
Hi, so i got my query letter ready, but my question is how to send it? do I just write hi my name is jane doe and I’m interested in working with you. Then attached the pdf letter? Or just sent the attachment. Lol I’m a over-thinker, I just want it to be perfect.
At this point I am preparing to write query letters although I still have to research literary agents as I do not have a Twitter account, neither have I had much inclination besides your recommendation to look at Twitter.
However I would like to ask - I recently stumbled across a video about an author who recently got her first book deal and she claimed to have used Pirates of the Caribbean as a comparative title. I just want to ask your personal opinion how well does that usually fly, if the comps are not novels at all but movies, television, or such like?
Thanks for this series, Alyssa. One question, if I may: Should I mention that I already have a self-published book out? The book I'm seeking representation for is a prequel to the self-pubbed title but is written as a stand-alone. Book #1 is a Family Saga and Book #2 goes back one generation. Might this cause issues? I'm assuming an agent will google me and probably find the first book anyway.
I notice it usually does
I just finished writing a draft of a query letter. I read that the letter should be 300 words or less. I also went to a workshop and was advised 400 words or less. Based on your video it seems like what you advising might be more than the suggested word count. I am trying to keep my letter at one page.
When a literary agents ask for works previous published, which paragraph do you put in? Similar works? bio?
The biography would be the best place!
What’s the rule for calculating word count? If I’m at 79,250 words do I round up to 80k or down to 79k?
How long is a query letter usually?