To see what a standard non-fiction query might look like, here is an actual example of a letter that worked! Sample Non-fiction Query Letter One of Jon Darga’s clients kindly permitted us to reprint their query letter. The title and author name have been redacted — and some of the fo...
Leave out absent credits:Don't spend time in your query letter justifying why you don't have more publishing credits. Agents and editors understand that writers have to start somewhere. Ratheruse this space to share supporting evidence of what gives you authority to tell this story(relevant expe...
And that concludes our post on how to write a query letter! To see more query letter examples (and what you can expect from a query letter review), check outPart 3 in this series. We've posted letters from a range of genres that have been reviewed and improved by our very own Reedsy...
First, I'll introduce the query letter formula, and then I'll show you exactly how to rock each section. Section oneshould do two things. It should demonstrate that you’re a savvy professional pitching this particular literary agent for a reason. (I’ll tell youhowto personalize your open...
By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy The query letter is a valuable tool for writers. Not only does it help them clarify their idea, it's the letter that will hook and agent or editor, or become the cover copy that will make a reader buy the book. Writing one is a smart move, whether ...
Need to see an ACTUAL query letter before you'll know how to write one? We've been getting a lot of email from some AQ users who believe that they mustseea query letter before they can write one. And you've been relentless in your requests for examples ofREAL, L-I-V-Equery letters...
Do anything in your power to make this query letternotsound like you copied and pasted a template or a previous letter. Agents can tell. Step 2: Draw Them In With a Dazzling Hook Somequery letter examplesstart with a strong hook from the story. Other query letters from bestselling authors...
Many a writer who has written a fan letter has ended up with a recommendation to the author’s agent down the line. Which brings us right back to Isabelle’s situation, doesn’t it? As I said, that’s a topic for another day. Next time, I shall run through a few more of the ...
Help me help other writers, and submit your query letter examples! I am seeking submissions of successful query letters AND query letters in progress to use for a teaching resource. For query letters in progress, I will provide feedback on every letter that I select for inclusion in this res...
Except that doesn’t happen — frankly, there’s no reason it should. People who work in agencies already know what does and doesn’t make a good query letter, after all. Why on earth should they waste their time finding out what people outside their industry believe they want?