**This
post is part of the Writing 101: From Concept to Query (and Beyond!)
series. For an overview of planned posts, take a look at the series
introduction. Previous posts have explored the drafting
process, novel
revisions, and why you may or may not want to query
literary agents**
post is part of the Writing 101: From Concept to Query (and Beyond!)
series. For an overview of planned posts, take a look at the series
introduction. Previous posts have explored the drafting
process, novel
revisions, and why you may or may not want to query
literary agents**
As I write this post, I’m alternating between it and putting
the finishing touches on a pitch for my agent. And honestly, it’s
amazing how much more efficient at pitch-writing I’ve become,
especially considering that my first query letter went through over
fifty drafts.
Yes, fifty.
Hopefully, with the help of
this post, we can keep you well under that agonizing number! There
are a few key ingredients you can use to ensure your query is
concise, to the point, and grabs the reader’s attention. They are—
this post, we can keep you well under that agonizing number! There
are a few key ingredients you can use to ensure your query is
concise, to the point, and grabs the reader’s attention. They are—
Professional Presentation
High Stakes
Specifics
Originality
Professional Presentation
When querying, there are
formatting rules you need to follow. This is NOT the place to get
creative. You want to present yourself as a professional who can work
effectively within the structures publishing has put in place, and as
someone who’s done their homework.
formatting rules you need to follow. This is NOT the place to get
creative. You want to present yourself as a professional who can work
effectively within the structures publishing has put in place, and as
someone who’s done their homework.
Your query should be—
–Single-spaced line by line,
double-spaced between paragraphs
double-spaced between paragraphs
–Written in a legible,
reasonably-sized font (I would say 12pt Times, but your email default
is usually acceptable too)
reasonably-sized font (I would say 12pt Times, but your email default
is usually acceptable too)
–Personally addressed to a
specific agent
specific agent
Your query should contain—
–Three concise paragraphs
dedicated to your hook—the part of the query where you explain your
story. Try to keep your hook between 300-350 words if possible. Too
short, and you won’t be giving enough information. Too long, and
you’re likely including more than you need to.
dedicated to your hook—the part of the query where you explain your
story. Try to keep your hook between 300-350 words if possible. Too
short, and you won’t be giving enough information. Too long, and
you’re likely including more than you need to.
–One paragraph for genre and
wordcount, comparative titles, personalization (why you queried this
specific agent), and brief biographical information.
wordcount, comparative titles, personalization (why you queried this
specific agent), and brief biographical information.
You may see a variety of
suggested layouts for query letters—some recommend putting your
genre/wordcount/personalization paragraph first. I’ve always left
it for last, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s not that
important. The really important thing is to research each individual agent and follow their specific querying guidelines.
suggested layouts for query letters—some recommend putting your
genre/wordcount/personalization paragraph first. I’ve always left
it for last, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s not that
important. The really important thing is to research each individual agent and follow their specific querying guidelines.
High Stakes
This is advice you’ll hear
a lot about querying. High stakes need not be gigantic, world-ending,
life-or-death scenarios, though. Emotional stakes can be equally
compelling. What’s important is to know the central conflict of
your book, or as Jane
Friedman puts it in her querying how to, what does your main
character want, why does she want it, and what is preventing her from
getting it? If you can answer all three of those questions within
your query letter, you’ll be well on your way to a compelling
query.
a lot about querying. High stakes need not be gigantic, world-ending,
life-or-death scenarios, though. Emotional stakes can be equally
compelling. What’s important is to know the central conflict of
your book, or as Jane
Friedman puts it in her querying how to, what does your main
character want, why does she want it, and what is preventing her from
getting it? If you can answer all three of those questions within
your query letter, you’ll be well on your way to a compelling
query.
Specifics
It’s important to be
specific in your query letter, especially as you elaborate your high
stakes. Saying “Mabel has to find a way to defend her school or
else” is far less interesting than “Mabel must defend her school
against a horde of flying monkeys or risk losing her best friend, her
crush, and her swim team dreams all in one day.” Go into detail as
to what will happen and why it will happen if your main character
does not succeed in her endeavors.
specific in your query letter, especially as you elaborate your high
stakes. Saying “Mabel has to find a way to defend her school or
else” is far less interesting than “Mabel must defend her school
against a horde of flying monkeys or risk losing her best friend, her
crush, and her swim team dreams all in one day.” Go into detail as
to what will happen and why it will happen if your main character
does not succeed in her endeavors.
Originality
Within the framework of
proper query structure, try to find ways to show how your story is
original. Have a main character with a fantastic voice? Try to infuse
some of that voice into your query. Did you build a glorious and lush
new setting? Concisely work it into your hook. Is your premise
incredibly unique? Show it off.
proper query structure, try to find ways to show how your story is
original. Have a main character with a fantastic voice? Try to infuse
some of that voice into your query. Did you build a glorious and lush
new setting? Concisely work it into your hook. Is your premise
incredibly unique? Show it off.
All of this may seem a
little vague and hard to implement, and that’s because the real key
to writing a great query is practice and patience. It will likely
take multiple drafts, and it’s always wise to ask someone else for
their opinion on your query before sending it out. Others may find
holes and unanswered questions you’ve overlooked.
little vague and hard to implement, and that’s because the real key
to writing a great query is practice and patience. It will likely
take multiple drafts, and it’s always wise to ask someone else for
their opinion on your query before sending it out. Others may find
holes and unanswered questions you’ve overlooked.
Need some more help along
the way? Check out the following query writing resources:
the way? Check out the following query writing resources:
About the Author
Laura Weymouth is AYAP’s contest coordinator, working to create opportunities for you to get samples of your work in front of agents right here on Adventures in YA Publishing.
Laura lives on the edge of the woods in western New York, along with her husband, two wild-hearted daughters, a spoiled cat, and an indeterminate number of chickens. Her YA fantasy debut, THE WEIGHT OF WORLDS, is forthcoming from HarperTeen in the fall of 2018.
You can follow Laura on Twitter and add her book on Goodreads.
