Agent query letter example 1: Cut to the dang chase
Agent query letter example 1: Cut to the dang chase
How to get a move on with your query letter
Hello friends.
Going forward, I’m planning to send Friday Office Hours posts on Fridays twice a month, but this past Friday was a garbage day in America. In the spirit of hope and positivity that is much needed right now, I want to start off with an example of a subscriber’s agent query letter that is doing nearly everything right.
In general, when I counsel writers on query-letter writing, I advise a four paragraph structure in which you:
1) explain your reasons for querying the agent and describe—logistically— what you are querying [what genre, what’s the word count]
2) summarize the project
3) do a little pitch for why your project would perform well in the marketplace [what are the comps? Why would total strangers go to a bookstore to spend money on your book?]
4) Inclusion of your bio (bonus points if your bio makes it clear why you are the only person who could write this project or proposal)
Today’s example query is by way of a subscriber named Kerri (who gave me permission to use her letter and her real name). Thanks for going first, Kerri!
It’s far more succinct than the letters I usually help writers revise, but I think it’s working great. Let’s take a look at the original letter (which Kerri addressed to me).