Now that you are tying up your threads for your synopsis, and packing it with a punch, have written those amazing sample chapters…now it’s time to put it in a cheery, compelling package and knock on the agent’s door.
Aka: the Query letter. A query letter is that first meeting, (unless, of course, you meet at a conference!), where you pitch your idea to an editor. It’s what will get your toe in the door, so it has to be something that makes the editor take notice, and shows them how your book will be the Next Hot Thing.
What makes a good Query Letter? Let’s take it apart….
1.. A compelling, succinct first paragraph hook
2.. A summary of your book in 2-3 sentences
3.. Where it fits into the publishing world
4.. Who you are and why you can successfully pull off this book
5.. The mechanics of the ms – where you’re at in production.
The Hook:
In my opinion, the most important part of the Q letter is the beginning hook. This is
where you get the editors attention, the part that will make her stop from tossing all your
hard work into the circular file. Consider how many proposals channel through an editors
desk in one month and this thought alone should impress you on the importance of the
hook.
1. What is a hook?
It’s the who, what, and why of the story. It’s the juiciest tidbit, the selling aspect that
makes YOUR story different from the rest. This is where you take your 3-4 big bang
paragraph, boil it down to the MOST important aspect, and highlight it. You want to
create questions, interest. And, you should do it in less than 100 words.
For example, in my Query Letter for Happily Ever After, I wrote:
Mona Reynolds is running home, to Deephaven, MN, to open her dream bookstore.. Joe
Michaels has never stopped running. He is merely slowing down to visit a brother he
barely knows. When Mona’s dreams begin to crumple, Joe is conveniently there to save
her. But when dreams turn to disaster, is Joe the man she hopes he is? Or is he someone
much, much different.
The key here is to NOT give away the details, but to think like a marketing person and
find JUST the juiciest tidbits. Think of the blurbs on the back of books.they grab you, and
much of the time, based on that 100 word summary, you purchase the book. That is what
you’re aiming for.
2. Summary of your book:
What is the theme and the take-away message of your book? You must get very creative,
descriptive and frugal in this section of your query letter. The key is to say as much as
possible about the book, in terms of its content, as possible in 2-4 sentences. Query
Letters should be 1 page only. The editor just doesn’t have time to read more than that.
Here is what I wrote for Happily Ever After:
Through a myriad of disasters including a family of roaches, a house fire, a saboteur and
finally the unveiling of Joe’s secrets, Joe and Mona discover that when they turn their
hopes over to the Lord, He will satisfy their wildest dreams and fulfill the longings of
their hearts.
3. Where does it fit in the market?
Is your book a stand alone? The first in a series? Why is it unique. This is the paragraph
where you really sell your book. Go ahead, tell the editor why it is great, and tell her
where it will fit in their lineup. Definitely do some research and know what the publisher
offers. DON’T try and sell a romance to a publisher who doesn’t publish romance.
However, pump up those traits your book does have.
Here is my marketing paragraph. Note that I am selling the series, as well as book one.
Set in the fictional, picturesque tourist town of Deephaven, northern Minnesota, Invasion
of Privacy is also the first in a three part collection entitled, “The Deep Haven Series.”
Each book tells the story of a woman, running from the storms of life and searching for a
home, who discovers true love and the inner peace that only a deep relationship with God
can bring. The series combines the threads of mystery, suspense and spiritual searching
with heartwarming tales of love, and weaves them into satisfying romances set it in a
town we’d all love to visit. Attached is a short summary of the series and the titles in the
collection.
4. Who are you and why can you write this book?
In one or two sentences, highlight your publishing credits. If you don’t have any, list the
reasons why you are an authority to write this story. Obviously, I could pull off Russian
stories with some degree of authenticity because of my missionary experience. And my
first book with Tyndale was a “found my true love in Russia” story.
5.The mechanics.
This paragraph simply explains how long the book is, how much you have written,
whether your proposal is out to other publishers as well, and tells them the items you’ve
included in your package. And, of course, thank the editor for his or her time in reading
the proposal.
Those are the basics of a good query letter. They say that the query letter hooks your
reader on your idea, the synopsis hooks them on your ability to weave a story. And, of
course, the sample chapters hook them on your writing ability.
We’re having a delicious blizzard up here in Northern MN – I hope you have a cozy weekend as you write your query letters! See you next week for some…editing!