11 Essentials of a Good Query Letter

Query image Copyright © 2013 Joan Y. Edwards

"11 Essentials of a Good Query Letter" by Joan Y. Edwards

Does your query letter have what It takes? Does it contain all the essentials of a good query letter? Does it have all the necessary ingredients to cook up a good deal for you?

A great query letter follows the latest guidelines of the editor or agent listed online. Here are 11 essentials of a good query letter:

1. Your manuscript is the genre this editor/agent accepts for representation and/or publication.
2. Gives the following information at the top right hand side: your name, address, city, state, zip code, phone number, email, websites, and blogs, and date.
3. Puts the name editor/agent, followed by name of publisher or agency in the left-hand side followed by Dear and the name of the editor or agent as directed by the guidelines.
4. Contains a great selling pitch that leaves the agent or publisher so moved by the story that they can't wait to see your full manuscript.
5. Tells why you believe this editor/agent is the right one for this book.
6. Compares your story to 1-3 books published by this publisher or represented by this agent.
7. Explains why you are the best person to write this story and gives your credentials.
8. Asks the question: "May I send you my manuscript?"
9. Thanks the editor or agent for considering your work.
10. States when you expect to hear from him according to the guidelines.
11. Send by email or snail mail with a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) as specified by the guidelines.

Here's my article: "Components of a Good Query Letter." You might enjoy it.: http://joanyedwards.wordpress.com/2011/04/17/components-of-a-good-query-letter/

Thanks for reading this post. Please share what you believe are the essentials of a good query letter.

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Never Give Up
Joan Y. Edwards

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Copyright © 2014 Joan Y. Edwards