|
10.
AOTW: What do you look for in a query letter?
Maria Carvainis:
The letter of query must display: 1) a capable writing style; 2) the ability to
summarize the project in two paragraphs; and 3) knowledge of the marketplace in which the
project could sell and how the project compares to what has been published. I receive
anywhere from 250-300 query letters a week; it is very easy to identify a strong letter of
query.
Jane Dystel:
A simple, direct exposition of the book idea without lots of bells and whistles.
"This is who I am, this is my story, would you consider it?" Period. Oh, and
proofreading is very important (appearances do count).
Laura Blake Peterson:
A clear concise description of the material and any pertinent information about the
author.
Lisa Swayne:
It's very important for me to see that the author has a well-defined market. I also
look to see that they have a solid platform and can deliver an audience to the publisher.
Finally, I like letters that are short, sweet and to the point. Anything more than a page
or two goes straight to the reject pile.
Amy Berkower:
I don't like query letters which cite how many friends and relatives have read and
loved a manuscript. I prefer a brief description of the book and its market, the author's
publishing history, and since I like representing authors as opposed to single books, I
want to learn something about an author's goals and what he/she plans to write next.
Linda Mead:
It should be brief, clear, informative and should not be silly or distract from the
work in any way.
Loretta Barrett:
A query letter should be simply a concise, captivating description of the book you are
writing, and should include your bio/background information, ie what you have published,
any credentials you have to write this book, and any other relevant information. Always
include your telephone number or email address and a SASE.
Stuart Krichevsky:
Concentrate on the work itself before focusing on learning about the industry. Then,
when you and your support network (mentors, writing groups, trusted readers, whomever)
genuinely feel the work is ready, learn as much as you can about agents before approaching
anyone. Rejection is discouraging. Yet the most common reasons queries are returned is
that the work is either is not ready for the market, or that it’s completely wrong
for us. We don’t represent children’s books, romance, science fiction or
fantasy, nor do we sell screenplays-yet we receive queries for this kind of work
regularly. If you can get someone to recommend you to an agent, that’s best, but even
if you can’t there are other things you can do to stand out from the crowd. I am
always impressed when someone has taken the trouble to find out that I represent a writer
they admire, and whose work has some kind of affinity with theirs. It takes you right out
of the pile of letters and emails that come flooding in daily that have clearly been sent
to every agent in the known universe (sometimes we even get emails that show hundreds of
addresses in the header!) and helps us recognize you as a professional. That’s really
what you’re asking --- to be taken seriously --- and the best way to do that is to
show that you know who we are, and take our work seriously.
|
