Despite the instant success of Lauren Weisbergers roman a clef, The Devil Wears Prada, for most debut authors, pitching a novel to agents and editors is the most difficult step to getting published. If you cant pique the interest of either of those gatekeepers, youre going to become disheartened perhaps without knowing why. You might have the most potentially marketable book since To Kill A Mockingbird, but if you cant write a query letter your manuscript is likely to yellow with age. Negative or non-responses to query letters are why some writers give up and self-publish. Self-publishing is an entirely different process that is not without its own pitfalls, and is costly and the subject of another article.

Hopefully, you have done your homework and youre ready to write your letter. You know exactly to whom you are writing, and precisely what kinds of books he or she deals with. In the case of fiction, sending a thoroughly modern spy novel to someone who specializes in the 10th century building of Europes cathedrals, or to someone who is no longer with the company, is tantamount to shooting yourself in the footno, the head. Its worth a call to insure the editor or agent is still there. For non-fiction, the rules are specifically different and require an outline.

I find it helpful to think of the query letter in four parts. The first paragraph (part one) should simply introduce your book and why you are writing to the recipient. For example you could write: Ive recently completed a XXX (identify the type of book) of approximately XXX words, tentatively entitled (italicize) for which I am seeking representation (or an editor).

Part two is the hard component. Here, in a couple of paragraphs, you have to summarize the entire book. Think of it as being like the blurbs on book jackets, with one difference. In cover blurbs, the outcome is deliberately left hanging to tantalize the reader into buying the book. In the blurb as written for the query letter, you have to give an indication of how the book ends. Dont be mysterious. Here, the agent or editor wants to know (a) you can write sentences that hang together, (b) you have a plot that will draw the reader in, and (c) you have a satisfying ending.

Make a point of identifying the primary protagonist of the book in the first sentence of the blurb by naming the character. Traditionally the blurb is written in present tense. You are saying (without saying it), In the book, this happens and this happens and then this happens.

Part three should explain what qualifies you to write this book. Describe your writing credits, as well as any other pertinent experience. For instance, if the story is set in the world of national or international tennis and youve played on the circuit, thats pertinent. It means that you know what youre talking about. Here you get a chance to be more personal, but not too cute.

Part four spells out what you will do i.e., If you think you might be interested in representing XXX (title, italicized), I would be happy to send you a synopsis and either a partial or complete manuscript. Im looking forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience." Yada-yada.

If the recipient wants to see more, he or she will probably ask you to submit the first 3-5 chapters along with a synopsis. The synopsis is vital not only in condensing the story, but in showcasing your characters. Be sure you have completed your synopsis before you send out the query letter. They may respond to you via email. Ill talk about the synopsis in another article.

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