I most definitely do NOT want a bunch of cookie-cutter query letters, but the below template should help you out if you're trying to figure out just what to say, what to add, and what not to do!
[your full contact info]
[agency’s full contact info]
[Dear Mr./Ms. Agent’s Last Name]
[The FIRST line should indicate if this is a referral or if you’ve met the agent at a conference etc.]
[The first PARAGRAPH should show you’ve done your homework. Why this agency? Why this agent? This could be as simple as mentioning that your book is a Romantic Suspense and you read on their website that the agent is interested in this genre.]
[1-2 paragraphs about your book, including word length. Write as if you’re writing the blurb for the back of the book – a quick, catchy paragraph or two to make you pick it up. The synopsis will tell the rest]
[Thank the agent for his/her time and consideration.]
[The LAST line should also show you’ve done your homework – on submission requirements. EVERY agency is different in what they want. Look it up, put it in the letter, and send it that way]
[Your name, and email]
Can I ask for clarification on one point? Is this the format you'd recommend for a snail mail query? Because I've seen in several places that it's a bad idea to lead with your contact info and/or the agency's for an e-query because many read them on portable devices and it's just wasting time.
ReplyDeleteAlso, any advice about a professional credits paragraph?
I was gonna ask the same thing about leading with contact info in email queries as Lorelie.
ReplyDeleteGood questions! Yes, this was the template I made for snail-mail only; for e-queries, you're right, leading with all the contact info isn't the best idea.
ReplyDeleteI didn't include the bio section because it's really not that important, unless you have something relevant to mention -- but yes, include previous publishing credits in a paragraph at the end.