Cover letter. Query letter. Different purposes.

What is the difference between a cover letter and a query letter?
The query letter is a “sales document” intended to motivate the agent to ask for a manuscript submission. Some agents skip right over the query letter, and, as a first step, request writers to submit part of their manuscript with a cover letter. Its purpose is to inspire the agent to want to read whatever you have submitted. How to do this? Just like in the query letter, write a sizzling first paragraph that tells the plot of your story. Include the name of your protagonist, their goal, the obstacle (s) standing in the way, and a strong “tease” ending to motivate the agent to eagerly begin reading your accompanying manuscript. Keep your second paragraph brief and give the title, word count, and genre if it’s not obvious. Be sure to thank the agent for their time and consideration.

Picture book query/cover letter

For a picture book cover/query letter, do I begin with the story?

Yes. Jump right into two or three sentences and show your story as it pertains to the protagonist and their challenge (s). You can write a second paragraph to expand the story a little more, or place it all in one paragraph using five to seven sentences. Keep it brief. Give your background, writing associations you below to, hopefully one is the SCBWI (Society of Childrens' Book Writers and Illustrators). You don’t have to tell your entire story, that’s not the point. The purpose of this query/cover letter is to motivate the agent to read the attached manuscript.

Queries are about “showing” not “telling”

Many writers, when they begin the process of crafting queries, tend to tell "about" their stories instead of telling their story as experienced through the actions and emotions of the protagonist.
Telling about a story.
My story is about a little girl who enjoys visiting and snacking with her grandmother.
Showing the story:
Little Red, skipping through the forest heading toward her beloved Granny's cottage, sings a happy song in anticipation of noshing on their favorite food--hot, cheesy, garlicky pepperoni pizza.
The difference:
The first example lacks emotion or action and doesn't show the writer's ability to write a story. Reads like a newspaper article. Just the facts.
The second paints a picture, a personality, a mood, and involves the reader who immediately reacts by ordering a pizza.

Query overwhelm: welcome to “agentworld”

The most important part of the query is?

The first paragraph. Always. Why? Because most query letters are not read top to bottom. Sad, but true. Agents, buried under mounds of submissions, will give your query only a quick look to determine if the first paragraph grabs and sustains their interest.
This is why you must write and re-write those three sentences so they tell the plot and give compelling information about your protagonist and their challenge.
SENTENCE ONE: Introduce your protagonist (main character) and what they want in the first sentence.
SENTENCE TWO: Describe the obstacle (s) that stand in their way.
SENTENCE THREE: Hint at the possible outcome and the terrible "or else" that could happen if your protagonist does not succeed. Write this "tease" to motivate the agent to read your query second paragraph which expands the plot as it involves your protagonist.
Learn more about how to craft a compelling first paragraph by reading those posted on the "Evaluated First Paragraphs" page at The Query Club. http://queryclub.weebly.com/
As you’re reading these, think about what you would do to make them more effective.

Self-publishing vs traditional publishing

Self publishing, which includes paperless electronic publishing, is a route being taken by thousands of writers, many of whom have become frustrated trying to find an agent or a publisher.
Here's the challenge:
With self-publishing, you pay a company to edit, layout, create a cover, and print a certain quantity of your book. (Hopefully you have a dining room or guest room available for storage).
When it comes to marketing, you are totally on your own. And yes, you can create a website, offer your book through Amazon, then hit the road and promote your book with lectures, book signings, attending book fairs, searching out book reviewers, mentioning your title on book blogs, even locating an e-book distributor (along with Amazon) who promotes books and takes a % of sales. You'll find lots of information in the many "how to self-publish and self-market" books.
Self-published books are not, at present, sold by the major book store chains. Why? Because most simply don't measure up to the standards of content, editing, and design that book stores demand. They don't sell.
Becoming your own sales force brings up a major life question: do you want to stop writing to focus on selling?
Certain circumstances are perfect for self-publishing; writers who want to have their manuscripts published as part of their family history or writers who craft "nitch" books and know exactly how to reach their market. For example, I know a couple who developed travel techniques specifically for "pop-op" trailers. They sell books at travel shows, work with manufacturers of these trailers, and run ads in magazines catering to the "pop-up" camping market.
To educate yourself more fully about self-publishing, check out the programs at Lulu.com and Amazon's Createspace.com.

How to ask the Query Wizard a question

Sorry, the wizard is no longer answering questions on this blog. However, her replacement, Molli Nickell, is available at www.getpublishenow.biz.

Is it a good idea to reveal, in my query, that I’ve written four unpublished novels?

No, no, no, and no. The number of novels you’ve written are not important at this point. What is important is the fabulous-ness of the one you’re marketing. You can discuss other novels with the agent after you’ve agreed to work together. Sometimes, after the first novel is on the path to publication, past works can be resurrected, revised, and sold. Suggest, in your third paragraph (which is all about you) that you comment how you’ve been honing your craft and writing for xx years and participate in a critique groups, attend conferences etc. Describe the actions you’re taking to become a more skillful writer. That counts!

Should I begin my query by introducing myself?

Start with your story. Agents won’t basically care about you until after they become interested in what you have to offer. You could be an ax murderer, and if you’ve written a compelling book, they’ll be interested in representing you.

When's the best time to begin writing a query letter?

Oddly enough, the most advantageous time to begin working on your query letter is once you've written your first draft and/or are still revising your manuscript. Remember, the query contains the "core" of your story (assuming you're writing fiction). In the process of determining what this is, you'll discover aspects that may need revision.

Many writers come to me with queries that don't work. During my evaluation process, I discover the problem is not their queries, but the stories they represent. There's a problem with the plot, characterization, pacing, tension, etc. As revisions improve the story, they also improve the quality of the the query letter.

For non-fiction writers, once you have your book outlined, practice writing a query to be sure your topic is clearly presented and written in a manner that will appeal to your market.

What to submit in a magazine query

Magazine queries often can be submitted with the article itself. In this case, the query becomes more of a brief query/cover letter telling about the article in a sentence or two and including your background. Or, if you're asked to query first, use the basic three-paragraph format. The first tells what you have written about. Second paragraph expands about the article and how readers will benefit from reading it. Third paragraph shares background information about you and why you are qualified to write about this subject. The most successful manner of querying to any magazine is to follow their instructions and send them what they ask for!

Query mistake: "This is my first manuscript"

Do not ever, ever, ever, ever make the comment, “this is my first novel.” Write it so well it won’t matter if you have written 100 novels or zero. Everybody has to start somewhere, including J.K. Rowlings (Harry Potter). She had no writing background when she sold her first book. What she had (and still has) is tremendous talent and determination to tell her stories to the world.

Once you've established a relationship with your agent, then you can tell him/her. But in the meantime, zip it! Making that "true confessions" statement smacks of AMATEUR, AMATEUR! REJECT! REJECT! and guarantees your query a quick trip to delete-ville.

Welcome back to Query Land

Be back soon . . . .

Despite the assistance of magic wands and cyber elves, the process of maintaining several internet sites simultaneously can be crazy making. Therefore, updated information (11/18/12) appears only on www.getpublishednow.biz

Query adjectives/adverbs be gone!

Agents, overwhelmed with the volume of queries received, look for any excuse to glance and dump! If your query is crammed with descriptive words—adjectives and adverbs—it will be rejected immediately. Why? Because a query filled with weak words that explain or modifiy, waves a big red flag concerning the manuscript. It's probably written in the same manner. Logical thought, donchathink?

Here’s a technique to help you ID those pesky adverbs and adjectives. Print your query letter. Use a yellow highlighter to mark adjectives, a pink one for adverbs. Does your page look like it's been kissed by a rainbow? If so, get rid of the highlighted words by replacing them and revising your sentences using powerful nouns and verbs that don't need to be explained.

Time spent in this adjective and adverb “search and destroy” mission is time well spent. It can help your query leap out and above all the rest.

Query Re-writes and Re-writes

I’ve re-written my query dozens of times and it's

becoming worse and more muddled. Everybody

who reads it says "do" something else.

Help! I’m stuck on the query go ‘round.

Sharing your query with everybody you know and asking for their opinions (which they happily share) is like being pecked to death by ducklings (my new favorite expression). Changing this and that endlessly, without good cause, creates goulash instead of a well-crafted query that works.

Consider the source. Are your advisers writers? Published authors? Experienced editors? Grandma? The butcher, baker, or candlestick maker? Members of your writers’ group? What is their knowledge base? How much do they understand about the purpose of the query? However, before discounting them, pay attention to any comments that are similar. The other suggestions? Leave them by the wayside and re-vise your way back to telling the most important aspects of your story as it revolves around your protagonist.

At some point, stop. Set it aside. Go bowling or begin another project. After a week or so, revisit your query. You’ll discover aspects that you know have value, and others that don’t. Look at the positive aspects of your query confusion. This is forcing you to focus on your story as you condense it down into two paragraphs. Forces you to think about your story as you condense it down ito two paragraphs, approximately 200 words. These 200 words need to tell who the story is about, what do they want, what stands in their way and why, and what is the terrible possibility, the “or else” factor. This forms the basis for your query. If these elements are not in your story, whoopsie! That’s where you need to begin.

Query letter RED FLAG words

The query letter enables you to prove you are a writer of skill. Not just any writer, but one who knows what they’re doing. Overwhelmed with query submissions, agents will give your query a nano-second of attention. They’re looking for a reason to reject so they can read as many queries as possible (and reduce the overwhelming size of the slush pile).

You want them to read your first, second and third paragraphs. Not to stop when they see a red flag, and then another, and another. The most common red flag? Weak words that send the message, Amateur! Amateur!

What are some of the most overused "weakies?" Is, are, was, were, being, be, did, that, got, feel, think, take, and that are the ones I spot most while helping clients tighten their query letters. My advice? Re-vise sentences that contain them. This is time well spent. Agents will make the assumption that weak words in a query signal weak words in your manuscript. Kaboom! Off your query flies to the reject pile.

Avoid this dreaded query letter fate by revising and getting rid of the weakies. Do the same with your manuscript. Do everything you can to insure your submission is as polished and professional as possible.

Avoid becoming a query pest

How long should I wait to contact the agent

to be sure they’ve received my query letter?

How about forever?

Email query letters usually receive a response within a few weeks, or less, or never. Some agents send back either a "sure, send me your manuscript" or use a generic and polite email rejection, “Thanks but not quite right for our list”--something to that effect. Others do not respond at all, ever.

You'll hear back for a snail mail query, sent with an SASE, within six weeks to three months, or longer, or never. If the agent is interested in your manuscript, they'll call or send an email. Otherwise, they'll send the "Thanks, but no thanks" form rejection letter.

Pestering the agent about reading your query or your submitted material results in their applying bug spray (i.e., tossing your query) to eliminate you, the pest, from their life.

If you’re antsy, do something else instead of stalking the mailperson. Take up kayaking, go to the gym, plant trees, paint the bathroom, or . . . begin a new writing project.

Three query mistrakes to avoid

ONE: Never, ever, ever, ever use colored type, either on your letter or your email. This waves the red flag and shouts, DANGER! DANGER! RUN AWAY! AMATEUR! The result most likely will be instant rejection.

TWO: Always use a font that can be read. At the moment, 2009 AD, the font of choice is Times Roman, 12 point. Unless an agent begs you to use Courier, don't do it. This Blah-asaurus type face dates back to the Jurassic Age. Do not use Ariel. Too difficult to read quickly since it lacks a serif (the little foot at the bottom of each letter stem). Don’t even think about using an ant-print-sized font to enable you to squeeze more words onto a page. If the agent opening your query has to hunt around for a magnifying glass. . . guess what? They won’t!

THREE: Avoid indents or fancy bullets. Three standard paragraphs, not four, not five, not one long one. Three paragraphs. Once space between each paragraph. Follow the format suggested in my FREE 31-page mini-query workbook. Click on the Query Club link to the right, sign up for the newsletter and voila! you'll receive the workbook PDF download link.

Remember KISS (keep it simple, stupid!) so you’ll look like a pro and increase the chances your entire query will be read and the agent will ask for a manuscript submission.

Do agents really read queries?

Yes, eventually, especially the queries which capture their interest, make them curious to know more about the manuscript and/or the writer. Be aware, agents do much more than sit around coffee shops and read queries. They deal with publishers, negotiate contracts, attend meetings, email and phone editors and publishers, return phone calls and emails, distribute royalty checks, and so on. . . all activities which sustain their business. Agents work long hours assisting their clients, selling manuscripts to publishers, and looking for new clients and projects to present. Reading queries is part of their business of doing business.

However, many agents have interns or acquisition people who act as first screeners—Guardians of the Gate. These folks usually can be found near, behind (or under) a slush pile of unsolicited material. As they go through the letters, they make the decision to return, discard, or forward to the boss. So, even if your query isn’t read by the agent you’ve directed it to, it does get read by someone working for the agent. Hopefully, you’ve written it effectively, and it flies right through the first reader’s hands and onto the pile of to-be-read material sitting on the desk, floor, or shelf in the agent’s office.

Email queries follow the same path even though they first appear on the screen of an intern, acquisitions person, or agent. The reader scans the screen, which is 14 to 16 lines of text, makes the decision to read further, request to see more, delete the query and move on to the next, or (and this frequently happens), or send a standard email response, “Thank you very much for thinking of us, but . . .

The most common query error is . . .

Starting out without knowing what you're doing. Writers tend to forget that once they’ve polished their manuscript and begin contacting agents, they’re making a major shift from “telling” to “selling.” From this point on the query must be written in terms of the recipient, i.e., the agent. What does an agent want to know? Their #1 question is, “What’s in it for me?” Does the writer have a saleable manuscript, and can they write? An agent can determine this after reading a few sentences. Obviously, if you want your query to be read, spend some time learning how to write it so the query showcases you and your project in a structured, professional, AND interesting manner.

Begin your query with the plot

What’s the best way to begin a query?

Tell the plot in three tightly written sentences. First sentence introduces the main character and what they want. Second sentence describes the obstacle (s). Third sentence hints at a possible solution. For example:

1. A little girl packs a goodie basket and heads off to lunch with her beloved granny.

2. Along the way she meets a conniving stranger who plots murder and menu.

3. Will the child’s quick thinking, glib tongue, and high-decibel shrieking save granny and herself from becoming lunch items?

Exception to this rule is if the agent wants something else, like title, word count, where you heard of them, and/or your recipe for deviled eggs. Give them what they want even if it deviates from my suggestions.

(Got a question about queries or getting published? Ask it. Here's how! Click on the link below. Read the directions, then click on the link to return here. http://www.getpublishednow.biz/ask-the-wizard.html)

Multiple queries

Can I send a query to more than

one agent at a time?

YES. DEFINITELY. FOR SURE. ABSOLUTELY. WHY NOT? In truth, many agents would prefer exclusive submissions, but . . . considering how long it can take to hear back, you'll be a zillion years old if you send your queries out one at a time.

Get an agent!

I've found a publisher who has published

work similar to mine. I've checked out their website

and I'm convinced that my manuscript would be

a good fit. I read the submission guidelines, only to find

they do not accept "unsolicited manuscripts." Is there any

way around this? Can I send an "unsolicited" query letter?
Floundering in Florida

I advise against going directly to publishers. If you send a query, they like it, ask for a submission, like your work, and offer a contract, you're still not out of the woods. Writers without agents representing them, negotiating their contracts, bugging the publisher for royalty statements and checks etc. etc., are stuck at the end of the line. Put your energy and time into finding an agent to introduce you to that publisher. Give yourself the greatest advantage, GET AN AGENT!

Show 'um what you got

Is a query letter for editors written in the

same format as one for agents?

Yes.

Agents and editors all want to know the same thing about every writer who communicates with them. Can this person actually write, and do they have a saleable manuscript? Period. That's it! And, as I've said previously, I highly suggest you contact agents instead of editors. Unless, of course, you meet (or corner) an editor at a writers' conference, pitch your project and they ask for a query or partial manuscript submission. If they offer a contract, big woo-hoo for you! (Then get yourself an agent to help with negotiations and other events that occur as your manuscript moves along the path toward becoming a physical book.)

Query format, yes or no?

When I follow your query format, I lose a real

marketing hook for my novel, i.e., that there are

three women who kill pedophiles and not just

one, although I definitely have a protagonist

and she has two Nemeses, one of whom

is her own husband.

The query format, which works (like magic) includes a three-sentence opening paragraph that tells the goal and obstacle (s) for the protagonist, and gives a "tease" solution, thereby motivating the agent to keep reading. Learn to write this paragraph so it contains the essence of the plot. It's good practice. Then, by all means, give it your own twist, as long as the basic elements are there.

For example, here's a one-sentence query opener that works:

A pre-teen girl lands in a foreign country, kills

a stranger, steals her shoes, hooks up with

three misfits who help her kill and steal again

to get what she wants.

(The story? Hint! Her yappy dog is named Toto.)

Wanting to be wanted

I just sent out my query letter to two literary agents

and both sent me polite rejection letters. Is this normal?

How do I get them to want to represent me?

Double chocolate brownies?

Just kidding! The truth is . . . no power in the universe can make an agent "want" to represent you. Your first learning curve, after you have a polished, glow-in-the-dark manuscript, is to write a stellar query that tells the agent what they need to know: can you write? do you have a great story to tell? If so, they'll want you, with or without the brownies.

Find an agent

How can I find an agent?

Is there a way to tell a good one from a bad one?

The most effective (and simple) way to find an agent is visit http://www.agentquery.com/ There you'll find a listing of over 900 agents, what they're looking for and contact info. These agents are really truly honest, working agents--white hats/good guys. No black hats or scammers allowed on this site. While you're there, check out the social networking groups, especially the Query Critique Rooms for both fiction and non-fiction, and also the Publishers' Query Critique Room (managed by moi).

Query Confusion

Whoopsie!
Somehow, put the question after this response. Ah, the blog learning curve. I'll get it right next time (maybe).
Dismiss most of that rumor! (The rumor in question is posted at the bottom of this response). Agents ALWAYS ARE LOOKING for talented writers, hoping to find the next Rowlings, Patterson, or Hemmingway. (Sheesh! Putting Hemmingway in the same sentence as "Patterson". . . sorry Ernest). I digress.
All agents want manuscripts they can sell to publishers. Create a glow-in-the dark manuscript and equally fabulous query letter and you'll receive invites to submit your work. If the agent believes your work has potential, they'll submit it to one or more editors they know at various publishing houses. Once the editor becomes interested and makes an offer, you and your agent are off and running and voila! you can order "soon-to-be-published author" business cards.
Obviously this response is a little condensed. More info eventually will be given in re the process, time frame, money coming your way, etc.
It all begins with obtaining an agent. You do this by writing a query letter that proves you're a writer and have a manuscript worthy of publication.

The Query Letter Wizard is almost here . . .

Hi there,
Thanks for dropping by.
This blog is under construction (which is why there's not much here . . . yet!) Please come back after May 15th to partake of such delicious and helpful offerings such as:

• answers to your most pressing questions about query letters
• once-in-a-while opportunities when you can submit your queries for evaluation/comments ("open" evaluation dates/windows will be announced)
• why your query letter is a "make or break" sales document that you must learn to write
• how to shift your mindset from "telling" to "selling"
• where to find the best agents
• how to focus your energy/thoughts while writing a professional and effective query
• enabling your inner wizard to access inspiration/encouragement/wisdom

HOWEVER, if you're ready to go and itching to begin crafting your query letter right now, this very minute, first go to http://www.getpublishednow.biz/. This site (created by the Wizard's alter ego, Molli Nickell), will help you get started. While you're on the site, request your copy of the FREE query letter mini-workbook.

See you there . . . or here . . . soon.

Poof (I'm gone)

From Telling to Selling

What are the two most terrifying words to writers? If you’re thinking “IRS Audit,” or “root canal,” you’d be close, but no cigar. The terror-cold sweats-chocolate-craving words? “Query letter.” Did your heart rate just increase dramatically? If so, take a deep breath! Be assured you can learn to write an effective query letter. The Query Letter Wizard is here to help you. Whew!

What’s coming on this blog will be information to help you get over “query letter terror” and learn to write one that works. Since the query letter is only part of the process of getting published, you’ll be given other necessary information covering agents, the publishing biz, and the vital sales docs you will have to write, including the synopsis, first page and/or book proposal.

That’s right, these are sales documents. What the heck? You’ll be learning to make the mind shift from story “teller” to story “seller.” That understanding, along with some practice, will help you sell an agent on your writing skills and the fabulous-sity of your manuscript.

So, welcome to the brief, but intense, learning curve! You can get through it. I’ll help you.

Want more info on the query, right this very minute? Check out The Wizard’s cyber school, http://www.getpublishednow.biz/ where there’s lots of helpful information, including a monthly Query Club newsletter, monthly free tele-classes and discounts on evaluation services.

Thanks for dropping by.

Poof! (I’m gone)