How to Write a Query Letter

Last week, I gave ya'll some tips on how to research literary agents. Now I hope to bestow some mostly ignorant advice on how to write a query letter. You read that right, I just called myself ignorant. Much like last week's topic, I still know next to nothing about all this--I only hope to dispel a little confusion for those writers and aspiring authors who are more clueless than I am.

What is a query letter anyway? Your query letter is a typically one page letter than includes your hook, synopsis, and writer's biography. Certain agencies may suggest you arrange those paragraphs in a different order, or request that you include something extra, but the format I just described is the basic no frills query letter.

#1: The Hook: This is the part where you come up with a catchy one liner that describes your story. You need an all encompassing sentence that will give the reader (or in this case agent), a proper feel for your book. Here is mine: "There is a royal conspiracy brewing in Alavare Castle, and it is up to the young servant Rosalina DeVere to rescue king and queen before it is too late."

#2: The Synopsis: For the second paragraph, you should expound on your opening sentence, and give a little more insight into the story. It is important to know that for this paragraph and really the entire letter, you should not be showcasing your writing voice. Your goal for this letter, is to interest the agent. Therefore, a generic sounding sum up is good and even advisable. For inspiration, try reading the paragraph that you see on the inside of book covers or on the back of the book, to give you an idea of how to sum up the story. Here is how I summarized my own: "The kingdoms of Alavare and Zadith have been at odds for a century, yet for the last few years they have managed to reside in peace. That security vanishes however, when Queen Jolenta of Alavare is mysteriously abducted. Destitute for direction, King Roldan consults Rosalina, Princess Evangeline’s nurse for a change in perspective. Yet Rosalina’s attentions are diverted when the dashing knight Sir Lyle comes for an extended visit. The closer she becomes to Sir Lyle, and the more she observes the king’s step-son Prince Harry, she realizes there may be a treasonous plot formulating under the king’s very nose. But nobody believes the witness of a commoner. With the help of Rosalina’s fellow servant Aldred, the peasants take matters into their own hands before war and murder bring ruin to the kingdom."

#3: Writer's Bio: What if I don't have any previous experience? You say. What if I have never been published? That doesn't matter. In this paragraph just state the title of your book, what genre it is, and the word count. Be sure to thank the agent for their time. If you have any credentials, like publication or you've won a writing contest, go ahead and say so. 

Hopefully these tips gave you a vague idea of what your query letter should contain. I myself am very new to the process, so if you have any tips of your own or advice for me on the personal tid-bits I just showed you, please share them in the comments below! 

Written by: Karoline Kingley

All that is in this post is property of Karoline Kingley.