Writing the Winning Query Letter

First off, who’s Tess?

Tess Mallory writes for Dorchester (Leisure/Lovespell) books, and her credits include four time travel romances, JEWELS OF TIME, CIRCLES IN TIME, HIGHLAND DREAM, HIGHLAND FLING, and coming in July 2005, her fifth time travel, HIGHLAND MAGIC. She has also written a futuristic, TO TOUCH THE STARS, and her novella, “The Fairy Bride” was included in the MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S MAGIC anthology.

Shalla: Her query letter was included in the 1999 Writers Market as an example of a well-written query. So she’s a great person to ask about writing the winning query. Hi Tess.

Tess: Hi Shalla!

Shalla: First off, what is a query letter?

Tess: A query letter is basically a letter that hooks an editor or agent into wanting to see the proposal (3 chapters and synopsis) for the book you’ve written.

Shalla: How important is a good query letter?

Tess:  Very! A good query letter can help an unagented writer receive an invitation from an editor to send a proposal and synopsis, (this means you can write “requested” on the outside of your envelope) and ensures that your manuscript won’t end up in the dreaded slush pile!

Shalla: How long are query letters? The shorter the better?

Tess: Most good query letters are one to one-and-a-half pages long. The main thing is to present your query in a professional, but interesting way.

Shalla: What should be in a query letter?

Tess:  Gee, it’s funny you should ask – I just happen to have a complete breakdown of what a query letter should include!!  Here goes ---

The first paragraph lets the editor know what kind of book you have written, the TITLE, word length, and the fact that you are submitting it to him/her for consideration. Also if you are submitting to a particular line or imprint.

The second paragraph begins with a hook -- a fascinating sentence, which begins a fascinating, but brief, synopsis of your book. This should be just a few sentences long. This is where you sell the editor on taking a look at your book.  Show a little of your writing style.  Think of the blurbs on the back of book jackets. The first and second paragraphs are actually interchangeable as to which comes first. If you have a zinger of a hook for your overview, try putting it as your opening sentence and proceed from there.

The third paragraph states if you have publishing credits, OR any experience which pertains to what you're writing about. For instance, if the book is a fictional account based on your own personal experiences in Viet Nam, this is where you would tell the editor that information. If you don't have publishing credits, do NOT say "I've never been published."

The fourth paragraph politely informs the editor that you would be happy to send him/her three chapters and a detailed synopsis of your book, (give TITLE again), at his/her request. You inform the editor that you have enclosed an SASE (Self Addressed Stamped Envelope) --- be sure you do this --- and that you look forward to hearing from him/her. Then sign it, mail it, and start to work on your next book!

Shalla: What do you put if you don’t have any writing credits?

Tess: What you don’t want to do is say, as I said above, “I’ve never been published, but ---“ or “I’ve never been published so you probably won’t want this book but---“  If you have publishing credits state them, if not, don’t apologize for not having them.  But keep in mind if you’ve had a poem published in your local newspaper, an editor isn’t really going to care. What’s important to them is finding a great story presented in a professional way.

Shalla: Is it better to send it to a specific editor?

Tess: Yes!! When submitting a query, be sure and research the publisher. If you don’t know who to send it to, call the publisher and ask the receptionist. Say something like, “I have a manuscript I’d like to submit to (for example) Dorchester’s time travel line of books. Could you please tell me the name of the editor I would send that to?” Never send a query letter to “Dear Editor”.

Shalla: Can you do multiple submissions with queries?

Tess: With queries yes, with actual submissions of books, not usually, not unless the publisher states (you can ask this too when you call) that they accept simultaneous submissions.

Shalla: What’s your take on e-queries?

Tess: I personally love email so I love it when an editor or agent accepts queries by email.  I think it saves everyone a lot of time.

Shalla: Finally, do you recommend any books or articles that can help with writing queries?

Tess:  My favorite writing book of all time is one by Lois Duncan, now out of print, but if you can find it on eBay it’s well worth having. It’s called How to Write and Sell Your Personal Experiences.  She covers everything you can imagine on the subject of writing.  Also, magazines such as Writers Digest frequently publish great articles on query letters, and in the front of most Writers Markets are examples. I also recommend Stephanie Bond’s website, (www.stephaniebond.com) which has a plethora of awesome articles she’s written that will shed light on this and many other writing questions.  The thing to remember when first starting to write query letters is that the more you write them, the better and faster you’ll eventually get at it. It can be a little overwhelming at first, but hang in there and you’ll find it soon gets easier. Good luck and Keep Writing!

Shalla: Thanks so much! For more on Tess Mallory, please visit her website www.sff.net/people/tessmallory

Best wishes Tess, how exciting for you. We at Shalla Chats send you our best.  Thanks so much for taking this time to talk with us. Please come back and talk with us again.