Everything You Need to Know About Query Letters

One of the most daunting steps of being a writer is querying for an agent. The good news, though, is that you’ve completed the hardest step: writing your book. Once you have a book manuscript polished to the best of your ability, you are one step closer to being a fully fledged author. You must prep a query letter once you feel ready to search for a literary agent. If you are still confused about securing an agent or the components of a query letter, we are here to help. 

What is a query letter? 

They are one-page letters (200-450 words) written to convince literary agents to read or request your book-length narrative manuscript. To write a compelling letter, you need to know your story inside out. Since you need to convince someone to take you on as a client who will help you sell the book to a publisher, you need to think like one. Understand what is appealing (for readers) about your book and what current market it would fit into. 

Structure 

While every letter can differ depending on the author and their experience, you can expect it to have these elements. 

● Opening greeting: Personalize this to the agent you are sending it to if you can. If you don’t have a connection to the agent (maybe you were referred or met them at a conference), you can always fall back on the story. 

● Hook: Catch the reader’s interest fast with a line or a sentence about the book. If you can’t think of a hook, jump right into the “housekeeping.” 

● Housekeeping: Includes the title, genre, and word count (to the nearest thousandth). These three things are something every agent needs to know. 

● Book Synopsis: Typically around 150-300 words, the synopsis should provide a concise description of the plot, the characters, and the central questions and conflicts without spoiling the book. Think of it as the jacket copy (the copy you find on the dust jacket or the back of a book) for your future book. Make the stakes for the main character clear. 

● Comp Titles: You can compare your manuscript to these titles as proof of its market viability and potential readership. You’ll often see formats of introducing comp titles like “A meets B” or “for fans of…” Comp titles are often the most frustrating part of writing the query letter. Things to consider when choosing comp titles: 

● Don’t choose a classic book or any insanely successful book 

● Make sure it’s been published within the last five years (and that the author is alive) 

● Don’t choose a super obscure book/title 

● Your credentials: This is the opportunity to share relevant accomplishments or accolades about yourself. Everything you include in your bio should be pertinent to the agent. This includes (but is not limited to): publication credits, self-published work, your job (if relevant), writing credibility such as BFAs or MFAs, writing 

events/workshops/conferences, relevant research (if applicable), and awards and competitions. If you aren’t sure it’s relevant, err on the side of caution and don’t include it. Don’t just say you’ve been published in “various magazines/ and or journals”. If you can’t name them, don’t include them. But if you are unpublished, it’s implied you lack any credits if you don’t list anything, so don’t state it. 

● Professional Conclusion: Keep it short but simple. Thank the agent and sign off. No need to suggest how great the partnership would be or your availability. 

Some Do’s and Don’ts 

● Do mention their previous clients (in a relevant way) to personalize it more

● Do mention if you have a significant social media following 

● Don’t mention how much your family and friends love your book 

● Don’t mention previous rejections or close acceptances 

● Don’t mention how much money you’ve spent on editing 

Keep in mind you should be querying multiple agents at a time. Understand that rejection is part of the querying process. While it can feel very rough, every rejection is a learning opportunity. This guide is intended for book-length fiction. Narrative non-fiction requires a slightly different approach. 

But remember: you only need one yes!

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About the author: Meg Rady is currently a senior at Emerson College pursuing a BFA in creative writing and minoring in publishing. She loves to read anything fantasy and YA, and when she isn't reading or writing, you can find her playing video games, watching anime, or listening to Kpop.