How to Write a Query Letter

If you are going the traditional publishing route and sending your pitch to literary agents or editors, you will need to write a query letter. A query letter is a short introduction to you and your book; after looking at it (and possibly a chapter sample), an agent will decide whether they want to read the whole novel or not. No pressure, right?

I used to work in acquisitions at a small press, so I have read many query letters. I appreciated when authors actually followed submission guidelines (e.g. only submitting the genres we accepted, including the amount of sample pages we specified, respecting when we were closed for submissions, etc.). You'd be surprised how many people don't follow those simple instructions, so even getting the basics right can set you above other submissions.

Query Letter Tips

• Address the agent or editor by name.

• Include the meta data (title, age range, genre, word count) and comparative titles in one paragraph.

• Clarify whether your book is a standalone or the beginning of a series.

• Keep the blurb to 3–4 paragraphs.

• Try to keep the entire query letter to around 300 words.

• All-caps your book title and italicize your comparative book titles.

• There is no need to personalize your query (i.e. tell the agent why you picked them or how your book matches their manuscript wishlist) unless you really want to or have a specific reason, such as if the agent requested your query through a pitch event.

• The blurb should read like the back cover copy of a book and include who your main players are and what they want (character), what’s getting in the way of their goal (conflict), and what would happen if they fail (stakes).

• Specific stakes (e.g. “the protagonist will lose their chance at finding true love”) are much better than vague stakes (e.g. “all will be lost”).

• Try not to name too many side characters in the blurb.

• Keep the author bio simple. If you have writing credentials, include them. Otherwise, disclose whatever you’re comfortable with—where you’re from, what you do for a living, what your hobbies are. If you have qualifications, education, or experience directly related to your novel, mention that.

Query Letter Template

If writing a query letter feels overwhelming, try out this template, replacing the bracketed words with your own, and see how it feels. You can always move things around, as there is no correct order for these elements. Though I like the meta data at the beginning, it could also go at the end or even be combined with the author bio.

Salutations:

Dear [agent name],

Meta Data:

I’m thrilled to present [NOVEL TITLE], a [word count]-word [age category] [genre] novel. It has the [similarities] of [Comp Title 1] and the [similarities] of [Comp Title 2]. [NOVEL TITLE] is a [standalone with series potential], and [anything else you want to mention here, such as how it has a diverse cast; was inspired by a specific mythology, historical event, or culture; includes technology based on real science; embodies a specific theme or trope; etc.]

Blurb:

[Paragraph 1: Introduce the protagonist and the world.]

[Paragraph 2: Detail what happens to interrupt the protagonist’s normal life (also known as the hook or the inciting incident) and what the protagonist wants more than anything.]

[Paragraph 3: What must the protagonist do? What are the challenges they face along the way? Clarify the stakes—what will happen if the protagonist fails?]

Author Bio:

[Example: “Like my main character, I am a veterinarian and an immigrant. The dragon medicine in NOVEL TITLE is inspired by five years of research at Johns Hopkins University. I have published two short stories in Clarkesworld Magazine and am a member of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association.”]

Closing:

[Example: “As requested, I’ve included the first ten pages of the manuscript below. Thank you for your time and consideration.”

Sincerely,

[Your name]

Query Letter Examples

In my May newsletter, I featured five successful query letters by fantasy authors, so check that out for helpful examples. It's always useful to see real queries that nabbed an agent's attention.

Good luck with your submissions!