The successful completion of your novel is an accomplishment that should be celebrated. However, the next stage, which is composing a query letter, is the one that will determine the outcome of your novel. Now is the time for the salesman that lies dormant inside you to emerge.
A query letters, often known as a querys, are a formal proposal submitted to prospective literary agencies and publishing organizations. It consists of three primary components: a book’s synopsis, an analysis of its importance, and a biography of the author.
- Start the query with a greeting: –
At the very beginning, start the letter with a good salutation like “Dear (name).” After that, the next sentence should be eye-catching. Here you can mention any of your previous achievements, but the achievement should be big enough to impress the agent.
Other than this, if you feel you don’t have any big achievements, you can mention your personal relationship with the agent. If this thing is not suitable for you, you can take a referral from any established publisher. But if you don’t have anything among all these, then don’t panic; just go directly to your main pitch.
- Put a strong hook: –
Many of you wonder what a hook is. And how to put it? Don’t worry; you all will get it. Just keep reading it.
In novels, you can see that there are always some good pages to start, which should have to be written in a way so that the reader gains the interest to read the whole novel. But in the query letter, you have to mention this thing in just 2 to 3 lines, and his thing is known as a hook.
Does it in a great way so that the agent gets impressed and thinks, why should not I get it earlier? Make the agent feel like that, and you will become a close person to the agent.
- Pitch your credential: –
Now, after becoming a close person to him, you have to mention all of your credentials, especially your author credentials. If you have written any good book previously, then mention it, or if you have written anything related to writing (It doesn’t have to be a book), stories, news, or anything else. But if you don’t have anything like this, start with “this is my first Book or novel or anything.” Don’t write any false information into it. Otherwise, you will have to face so many problems in the future.
- What are the things you can mention here?
- Any awards you have won previously. (You can also mention if you have won anything in college life).
- Any spatialization in the creative wring field, or any degree you have done in this field only.
- If previously you have published any short stories.
- Any workshops you have done in writing.
- What not to mention?
This point is as much important as what to mention.
- Don’t write anything like that; you have published any mega-successful book. (then you should not be requesting him to publish your other book.)
- Don’t compare your book with any little bit popular but old-fashioned books.
- Most importantly, don’t write anything false in this region.
- Make Sure You Check The Length with the Book Summary: –
A query letter is just page long document containing your pitch for your work and yourself. A word count between 300 and 400 should be maintained throughout the letter. You are well aware that your dreams literary agency or publishing company receives hundreds of inquiries letters every month, which is another reason why you are reading this post. You should make it brief since you know they do not have the time.
In a synopsis of your novel, you should include both the hook and a description of the plot. Along with it, some basic details on the book will be provided.
- The autobiography with the Titles of Competitors: –
The publishers are interested in knowing what makes you a good investment. Include a list of your previous publications, your experience working as a writer, and any other relevant experience in your book. Mentioning your accomplishments in the fashion industry is something you may do, for instance, if you are a fashion designer with aspirations of publishing a book on style. You may also be forthright that this is your first attempt at writing a book. The author’s presence on social media platforms is another modern criterion publishers could use to evaluate submissions. Make sure you mention that you have a sizable following on many social media outlets available.
To begin, please provide a summary of your book. Include in the first sentence the hook or USP, which refers to the most exciting and distinctive aspect that distinguishes your book from others on the market.
Using comparative titles is an intriguing technique that enables you to be creative and succinct while presenting your work. Comp titles are books comparable to yours in terms of the subject matter or the number of sales. This will make it easier for the publisher to determine relatively quickly whether or not your book is a good match for their company.
- Cover Letter and Contact Details: –
Address the publisher or commissioning editors by their names in the cover letter, rather than beginning the letter with “To Whom this thing will Concern.” This demonstrates that you have done more research and put in the effort. To begin, please introduce yourself as the author of some of the most well-known and high-quality works you have produced. Continue by discussing what brought you to them, whether it was a recommendation from a fellow writer, a panel discussion at a literary festival, a previous work of theirs, or anything else that resonated with you.
Make sure to give your contact information, including your website, e-mail address, social network accounts, and phone number! Include your name in the inquiry letter file. This advice may sound too simplistic, but it’s important to remember to do so.
- End it with a greeting and proofreading: –
Don’t write anything big at the end; the agents or the publishers will not read it; moreover, they may feel hectic. So, it will be better to mention only one or two lines. Like “Thank you for your consideration, and looking forward to hearing from you.”
After doing all these staffs, you also have to proofread your query letter twice. It will help you to identify if there are any mistakes done by you. If there is any, then correct it and get ready to send it to the agent.
Final Words: –
The three main sections of a query letter are the pitch, your qualifications, and the book’s requirements. So just be serious about this important thing and keep following all the mentioned things and get ready to publish your book with your favourite publishers.
