Posts Tagged ‘query letter’

Five Tips For Writing An Effective Query Letter

Thursday, October 15th, 2009
Mel B. @ Flickr

Mel B. @ Flickr

First impressions are the most important ones. If you’re pitching your paranormal writing project, your query letter is that firm handshake and pleasant smile.

Whether your letter is aimed at a publisher or a magazine editor, here are some tips for a great query letter:

Grip ‘em Early. That first sentence should contain a hook that seizes the reader’s interest.

Add details. Don’t forget to add word-count estimations, genre, and key selling points of the book.

Don’t grovel or brag. Editors have told me that the surest way to have your query letter tossed in the circular file is to write a query with needless praise or posturing. Editors are like everyone else; they want to work with cool people.

Pitch yourself. Add a concise blurb about your writing career. (Just don’t get too long-winded.)

Proof. Double-check your letter for grammatical and stylistic errors. Tighten those sentences. Then, have a friend read it.

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What Does Copy Writing Have To Do With A Query Letter

Saturday, September 5th, 2009

Most writers think that copy writing is for slick ad writers or marketing folks. As writers–artists, really–they’re above all this pandering.

And maybe they have a point. You shouldn’t write just to sell books.

But, if they ever want to sell their works to a publisher, they might want to lift at least a few tricks from their writing brothers and sisters in the marketing department.

A Query Letter is the best place to implement some copy writing techniques. The query is a brief overview that introduces your book idea to a publisher, acquisition editor, or literary agent.

Most writers just jot down a summary of their book. Not a great idea.
One of the key precepts of good copy writing is to include “benefits,” not just features.

Saying your book is packed with info that will appeal to the 2.5 million-strong paranormal investigators in the U.S. is much stronger than saying it covers EVPs.
If you have a query, look at how you can turn your features into benefits. If you haven’t written your letter yet, think about the benefits people will gain from reading your book.

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How To Write A Solid Query Letter

Wednesday, August 19th, 2009

I was going to name this Scary Query Letter Tactics, but I got that funny feeling in my stomach that I normally get when I know one of my corny jokes is about to bomb. I get that feeling a lot.

But, in any event, whether you’re going to find an agent, pitch an idea to a magazine editor, or try to match your writing project with a publisher, you’ll need to write a query letter.

In some cases, the query letter is the cover sheet that will pull the publisher or editor into the rest of your proposal, a package of materials that includes marketing material, biographical info, sample chapters, etc.

While there’s no one right way to create a query letter, it usually includes the following elements:

  • A hook: An intro that attracts attention.
  • A pitch: In a sentence or two, what is your project?
  • Details: For instance: Who’s the market? Why will your project be better than another title on the market?
  • Credentials: Why are you the person to write this book or article?
  • And Close: Find a tight way to tie up your letter and offer contact info.

One final tip. You shouldn’t be too cute–or cocky–with the letter. Query letters that get the best response are professional, but aren’t devoid of your personality

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