If you are reading this, it means that you have already written an amazing manuscript and are now ready to share it with the world. The next important step is to write a brilliant query letter and establish your presence in the eyes of potential literary agents.
The query letter is essential for writers seeking publishers or agents. It contains crucial details about the book and the author, aiming to pique interest and generate requests for more material. It must be crafted carefully and you should not hesitate from asking for professional help.
Here are some of the best tips to help you write a brilliant query letter.
- Use a Readable Font
One of the key things to remember when writing a query letter is that publishers and literary agents spend a significant amount of time on their computers. They deal with several query letters every day and do not have the time to try to read complex fonts.
If you are thinking of using a fancy font to impress the agent, drop that idea. You must use simple fonts such as Arial to make reading easier for the recipient. In addition to using the right font, you must also ensure that the font size is easily readable and make the whole document double-spaced.
- Write Short Paragraphs
Lengthy paragraphs can overwhelm anyone, even if the recipient is an avid reader or a literary agent. Agents are very busy and do not have the time to read your query letter till the end. It is up to you to ensure that your query letter is easy to skim through.
Instead of writing huge blocks of texts, the best thing you can do is to use short paragraphs. You must edit your query letter to cut out any unnecessary or repetitive information. Shorter paragraphs have a higher chance of being read and replied to.
- Talk about the Twist
If your novel contains a major plot twist, you do not have to keep it secret and save it to surprise your readers all by yourself. Just like you plan to blow away your readers, you can also blow away your agents by revealing a big twist.
Revealing the big twist is your chance to tell your agent that they can sell your work to the right audience with ease. Agents love well-written and unique twists. If there is potential, you can be sure to hear back from the agent soon.
- Use Comp Titles
More and more agents agree that they want to see comp titles in the query letters. Comp titles are books that are similar to yours in regard to their content or sales trends. They are important for your publishing team to determine your work’s potential.
Comp titles can be your key to making your work stand out in the hordes of emails literary agents receive every day. If used wisely, comp titles can become the reason for an agent to get back to you.
Adding current comp titles to your query letter also makes it easier for you to make a good impression on your literary agent. Knowing that you have read other recent works in a similar genre convinces them to make a decision.
- Look into the Forms
Some literary agents also have query submission forms. These forms allow you to paste your query letter, bio, sample pages, and other information worth considering for the agent. These forms can make the submission process easier for authors.
While these forms simplify life for busy authors, they should not be filled in directly. Instead of rushing to fill out the form, take some time to look into the information asked of you. From there on, you must answer these questions using any word-processing software you use.
That way, you can correct spelling errors and play around with your answers without accidentally hitting submit. The best part is that you can save your answers in case a different agent asks the same questions.
- Personalize Your Bio
Every agent appreciates a bit of personalization in the bio section. You may think that it is the simplest part of writing your query letter. However, the reality may be exactly the opposite.
The bio section of a query letter should not be longer than 2 or 3 sentences. Of course, this space is not enough for you to tell your agent all about yourself, what you do, and how much time it took for you to complete your manuscript.
You must use the space for your bio very carefully. Instead of telling the agents about yourself, you can tell them what inspired you to write your work or how you can relate to your protagonist. Such information has a higher chance of piquing the agent’s interest.
- Get Feedback
Once you start writing your query letter, you will realize that it is not as easy as you thought. Telling the agent all about yourself, your work, and its unique selling point in a limited space can challenge even the most experienced writers. There is always a chance of careless or unintentional mistakes.
Instead of trusting your luck and submitting your query letter with the best intentions, it is always a good idea to find a query letter editor.
A query letter editor can significantly boost the chances of your query being noticed. These professionals know all about what the literary agents are seeking. They can help you transform your query letter according to the agent’s interests to boost your chances of hearing back.
- Try Again
If you think that you will hear back from the agent just a few days after the submission of your query letter, you are not alone. Several talented authors hope to hear back from the agents they have gotten in touch with.
While there are chances of receiving an approval email, there is an equal chance of rejection or not hearing back. Be mentally prepared for all possibilities. Even if you are not happy about the outcome, do not give up. Instead, learn from your mistakes and keep trying.