In order to even hope to get a literary agent to request your novel manuscript, you better have an outstanding query.
Your query needs to be tailored to the agent that you are sending it to. Make sure that somewhere in your letter you say why you chose to query them specifically.
Some agents prefer e-queries whereas others prefer postal mail query letters. Make sure you check out the agent's guidelines on their website or in one of the literary agent handbooks such as The Canadian Writer's Market, 17th Edition or the 2011 Guide to Literary Agents.
Query Letter Example
This is a query letter that was sent to a literary agent via snail mail, her preference:
Query Sender's Name
1234 Royal Road
Anywhere, Anyhow
A1B 2C3
Canada
012.345.6789
January 27, 2011
Literary Agent's Name
Name of Agent's Company
New York, NY
212.685.2345
Dear Ms. Literary Agent:
What would you do if your first love moved into your neighbourhood?
Zoe Monroe is living an idyllic suburban life when Shane Waters, the first man she ever loved, moves into the house behind her. As the duo fight to deny their renewed feelings for one another, their spouses are getting into their own mischief. Shane’s wife turns up pregnant despite Shane’s vasectomy. Zoe’s husband is acting suspicious. As their intertwined lives begin to unravel, strange incidents start to happen. Shane believes someone is trying to sabotage his happiness and Zoe is convinced betrayal is her new best friend. What is going on?
Tentatively titled Benefit of Doubt, this mainstream novel is written from the vantage point of the main characters. The completed manuscript is 77,000 words. Benefit of Doubt mixes Robyn Harding’s tone, Barbara Delinsky’s drama, and James Patterson’s penchant for short, punchy chapters.
As for my qualifications, I have been a full-time freelance writer for five years. In that time I have published over 180 articles in Canadian magazines and newspapers including the National Post and Cottage Life. I am a member of the Periodical Writers Association of Canada.
I decided to contact you as I am looking for an experienced agent and your reputation is impeccable. Barbara Delinsky speaks highly of you in her acknowledgements and I believe she and I have similarly styled books. Your 30 years of experience with Agency Name is impressive and it would be my honor to work with you on Benefit of Doubt. I have enclosed a synopsis and a SASE.
Thank you for time, Ms. Literary Agent. I look forward to hearing from you.
Respectfully,
Query Sender's Name
P.S. Congratulations on the success of Twilight, yet another in a long line of impressive sales.
Enclosures:
Synopsis
SASE
Closing the Query Letter
I suggest always adding a P.S. at the end of query letters with a personal detail in it to show you went the extra step in researching the agent. Finding some tidbit of information about them and referring to it shows you went the extra step.
Hope your novel query letter knocks the socks off an agent and they ask to see your manuscript!
Toby Welch - Toby is a full-time freelance writer who specializes in magazine articles, online writing, e-books, and manuscript editing.
Join the Conversation