A Quick Guide to Writing a Query Letter

Do you have a complete, polished manuscript ready to be presented to the literary world? If so, preparing and sending out query letters to potential agents may seem like the most natural next step in the process. And while it may feel tempting to reach out to as many agents as possible, a well-written and effective query letter should be your main focus. It’s not only about the numbers!

Generally, you’ll want your query to be no more than one page, roughly 300-400 words. This should allow you enough space to present the core of your story and to create intrigue for what’s to come. 

Before you query, spend time researching potential literary agents. Looking into agents’ genre specialities, previous writers that they’ve worked with, and reputations will help you to determine if they’re the right fit for you. Rather than mass-sending your query to every agent you can contact, pick the agents who are looking for the kind of the work that you create. This will also allow you to personalize the query to each agent. Whether it’s another author or novel they have worked with, a specific manuscript wishlist request, or a past connection, tailoring a query to every individual can help you stand out amidst a sea of aspiring authors. And don’t forget to read their submission guidelines ahead of time! These guidelines will vary from agent to agent but often include vital information such as how many sample pages to send or the format of the file. But for now, let’s get into the letter!

Section One:

In this first section, your goal is to show professionalism and an understanding of your book’s market. To demonstrate that you’re familiar with the genres that this agent works with. If someone referred you to this agent or if you had previously met them at a conference, now is the time to mention that. If you’ve enjoyed the work of their other clients, let them know! But, if you don’t feel like you have a strong, personalized opening then it’s absolutely okay to just jump right into the pitch! 

Provide a brief snapshot of your novel by introducing it with its title, word count, and genre. A basic template might look something like this:

“I am seeking representation for [TITLE], a [genre] novel complete at [word count] words.” 

After introducing your novel, mention your comps. Comps are books or other pieces of media that are comparable to your book, this can be in a variety of ways: tone, writing style, setting, genre, inspirations, or any other specific quality. For comps, it’s a good rule of thumb to pick successful books that were published within the last five years, as they will still be fresh in the mind of the literary world. While your book doesn’t have to (and shouldn’t) be identical to any of your comp titles, this can be an effective and concise way to quickly convey the “essence” of your story. For example, if you’re submitting a forbidden romance set in the Regency era, you might describe your book as “Romeo and Juliet meets Bridgerton.” You can also hone in on more precise qualities: “with plot twists in the vein of Agatha Christie mysteries.” Even simply saying that your book “will appeal to fans of (x)” is equally sufficient. Ultimately, your comps should show agents that there is space in the market for your book, a clear audience that it would sell to. 

Section Two:

Now, here’s the fun part! This section is all about the hook and the blurb: a short description of your book’s plot and themes. Similarly to writing a good blurb that’ll get a reader to buy your book off the shelf, the goal of this section is to get the agent to ask for the full manuscript. This is your chance to show an agent that you can grab a reader’s attention quickly and with a small amount of words. Do not write a full summary of the plot. Instead, try to capture the essential elements that form the core of your story. Think of it like a movie trailer! Your hook should cover what makes your book different from everyone else’s. How does it stand out?

Next, your following blurb should accomplish a few things:

1. It should introduce your main character and their world in a few lines. If this world is science fiction or fantasy, avoid using excessive amounts of the invented jargon to mitigate confusion.

2. It should show what your main character wants and what’s standing in their way.

3. It should illustrate the main conflict of the book and the stakes of this conflict. What choice does your main character have to make? What will happen if they fail?

4. It should show the emotional center of the story—the themes and human connections that will make the reader care about the journey. 

5. It should pique interest for what will happen next. 

   
   

In roughly three to four brief paragraphs, a strong hook and blurb will successfully convey all of these elements. Above all else, hone in on what makes your story unique! If your story is character-driven, highlight the character’s voice and the potential of their development. If your story hinges on a fantastic premise, perhaps you want to focus on worldbuilding. In any case, avoid mentioning the ending or any significant plot twists in your novel.

 For a starting blurb formula, consider this: begin with a hook to grab the reader’s attention, one paragraph to introduce the main character and the setting, one paragraph to introduce the primary conflict and stakes, one paragraph to tease out the main themes and emotional core of the story then, end with the question that the book will answer. This formula is just a stepping stone to help get you started. As you continue to refine your query letter, the format will likely change. Just make sure to keep your blurb as concise as possible. But, don’t be afraid to try out different structures till you find one that really makes your story shine! (p.s. some authors choose to introduce their title and word count after this section instead of before it, both are valid options).

Section 3:

This section is the author bio! Many new authors choose not to include a bio in their query letter if they don’t have any previously published work. However, it is generally good practice to put something here for a bio. If you have any publication credits, now is the time to mention them! Be specific about this: provide the name of the journals or magazines you’ve been published in and include the titles of any previous novels. You may also want to mention any additional credentials such as awards, an MFA, a residency, or a career that will make you stand out. Even if you don’t have any of the things mentioned above, try briefly explaining why you’re the right person to tell this story. Why does this book mean so much to you? What perspective are you bringing to the table that other authors can’t? 

Section 4:

Finally, we’re here… the closer! This part should be short and sweet. If you intend for the book that you’re querying to be the first in a series, mention that here. Thank the agent for their time and sign off with your name, address, phone number, and email. If you have a website, provide the name!

And that’s it! Well honestly, it’s more of a start than anything else. You should absolutely take the time to rewrite and polish your query letter before you submit. Proofread it for any spelling or grammatical mistakes. Have other people, who know nothing about your book, read it and give you honest feedback. Write and edit and write till it clicks and you can feel your story breathing through that one page. Querying is never easy but, hopefully this post has helped to demystify and break down the process. There’s no secret recipe or word when it comes to querying: every agent is looking for something different. But, by dedicating your time and effort to the process, you will be able to make your “something different” shine a cut above the rest!

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About the author: Ida Rosenstein is a Creative Writing and English major at Oberlin College with a passion for speculative and literary fiction. Inspired by authors such as Angela Carter and Ottessa Moshfegh, she has a soft spot for all stories strange and macabre, a love for the things often left in the dark. Contrary to how it may seem, she also enjoys the occasional lighthearted swing dance or D&D game!