Writing a Query Letter
Or, how to make an agent want you before they even read your extract
Welcome to the third blog in my Path to Publication series. Today we’re talking about query letters.
Writing a query letter can be a lot of fun. A good query letter doesn’t just showcase your writing, it’s your entry point into the publishing industry. It’s an opportunity to show an agent who you really are — a friendly, approachable human with great enthusiasm for writing and a commitment to a career as a professional author.
But writing a query letter can still be challenging. There’s room for error; from simple mistakes like getting an agent’s name wrong, to pitching your work poorly, or having the tone of your letter stray from confident to arrogant. Strike the wrong note and your query package will be cast aside, your extract and synopsis unread, no matter how much effort you put into them.
So let’s take a look at how to write a great query letter that suits both you and your prospective agent…
What is an query letter?
A query letter is a brief document that introduces your work, and you, to a prospective agent. It forms the third part of your query package, alongside a novel extract and a synopsis.
First and foremost, the query letter is a sales document; its purpose is to hook an agent with your premise so that they want to read your novel extract straight away. Then, assuming they love your extract, they’ll hopefully request the full manuscript.
While your query letter has to contain certain things, it doesn’t have to read like everyone else’s; in fact, there’s a lot of anecdotal evidence to say that a well-written query, where the author’s personality shines through, can be incredibly compelling.
How to write a query letter
There’s no standard format for a query letter, and there are as many opinions on what to include as there are writers. But here is what I put in my query letters:
Dear <first name>
Start as you would any letter. There’s no need to be formal, just polite. And make sure you spell the agent’s name correctly. Auto-correct is not a good enough excuse if you get it wrong.
First paragraph: Introduce your book, giving the title, genre, word count and pitch
Some people suggest starting your letter with I am seeking representation… but I don’t think you need to. The agent knows why you’re writing to them. Instead, just start with your title and continue from there.
This is the first paragraph I used when submitting my novel to a competition:
An opening paragraph like this demonstrates your understanding of genre, genre-appropriate word count, and comparison authors and texts. Do try to use novels / TV shows / films from the last five years unless your novel requires a very specific comparison, e.g. you’re writing a retelling of Stephen King’s IT but set in space.
Second paragraph: Describe the premise of your book, introducing your main character, their conflict or inciting incident, and your book’s unique selling point
Exactly how you write this paragraph is up to you. Since I’d prefer to keep my novel under wraps for now, my advice is to look at the back cover blurbs of books similar to your own and try pitching your book following their templates. After a few tries, you’ll find one (or a hybrid of several) that really works for you and your story.
As an example, the following is the blurb for the book that won Theakston’s Crime Novel of the Year 2024: In the Blink of an Eye by Jo Callaghan.
While this is a blurb, it would also make an excellent pitch for a query letter. It has everything an agent needs to know: the plot (missing person), the main character (Kat), the setting (near future UK), personal conflict (single mother) and a very unique selling point (the use of AI assistants within the police). This shows how the novel stands out from the crowd, especially in the very competitive crime/thriller genre.
Unlike the synopsis, this paragraph can — and should — tease; give only enough to capture the agent’s attention and make them want to read your extract. And frankly, who wouldn’t want to read this?
Third paragraph: Why your novel is a good fit for this agent, and why they are a good fit for you.
This is your chance to personalise your letter. Show that you’ve done your homework and you’re not just sending your novel to every possible agent. At the very least, show how your novel matches this agent’s manuscript wishlist. But if you can, try to find something you and the agent have in common.
For example:
if your agent’s wishlist includes “a returning crime series with an unusual and beguiling detective (not a policeperson)” but also says “I want a good laugh too”, and this perfectly describes your novel, then say that’s why you think your book is perfect for them.
if they positively mentioned one of your favourite novels on social media, and that novel was the inspiration for you to write this book, say so.
if you saw them talk at an event, and something they said really resonated with you, say so.
What you’re looking to do in this paragraph is show that the novel / author package you are offering is exactly what that agent is looking for.
Fourth paragraph: Your author bio, who you are and why you’re the best author for this book
You are the cherry on top of the cake. If the agent loves your premise and is keen to read your extract, they also want to know about you. Do mention:
anything that shows you are uniquely placed to write this story, e.g. #ownvoices
your writing to date, e.g. publications, competition wins or short-listings
your commitment to a writing career, e.g. memberships of writing organisations, writing courses you have attended (especially selective ones)
This is the (slightly altered) fourth paragraph I used in my query letter:
Sign-off: including your contact information
This paragraph can be very simple. I like to confirm what I’ve sent to them — this also shows that you’ve met their submission requirements — and end on a pleasantry. Remember to include your contact details at the bottom. I include my email and mobile number, but no other details.
This is how I signed off my query letter:
Top tips for a great query letter
So, now you know what a query letter should do and how to write your own, here’s my top tips for making sure it stands out in all the right ways:
Check the spelling of the agent’s name, their agency’s name (if you’ve included it), your own name and the title of your book. Spelling mistakes elsewhere are forgivable; these are not.
Keep your query letter short, no more than one page of A4. Use the same (standard) font and margins as your extract and synopsis, with 1.5x line spacing (or 1.15x if you really must). Make your query package as consistent as you can.
Get feedback on your query letter from a trusted reader, just as you would your novel extract and your synopsis. Don’t assume you can ‘one and done’ this.
Check the tone of your query letter. Confident, friendly and professional is good, but keep anything else for if/when you speak to them on the phone or in person.
Check the agent’s submission requirements and follow their directions to the letter. Don’t disqualify yourself over a technicality.
Hopefully that’s given you a few pointers as to how to write an appealing, effective query letter, and how to personalise it to prospective agents. Good luck!
That’s all from me for today, but coming next on November 1st:
A Review of Cheltenham Literature Festival 2024: covering ticketed events, free events and pitch parties, I’ll discuss my experience of attending the festival as a chronically ill, socially anxious author.