by Tamera Lynn Kraft
Queries are the letters you write to publishers and agents to ask or query them if you can submit your proposal, sample pages or manuscript. This is different than a cover letter. In a cover letter, you’re letting the agent or publisher know what you’re submitting. A query letter asks permission to submit materials. A good query letter will give the agent or publisher enough information to help him decide if he’s interested.
Most queries are sent by email. Some publishers and agents forego the query process and go straight to proposals; most don’t. These are a few things to remember about queries.
Make them short and to the point. Queries should never be more than one page.
Include important information. The query letter should include your contact information, the genre, word count, and any publishing credits you have.
Have a blurb that promotes your book with a hook. This is the time to peak the agent’s or publisher’s interest.
There are many resources out there that tell how to write a good query letter. The most important thing is to spend time writing it. You polished and edited your novel. Do the same with your query. Here’s a few links on other sites about how to write a query letter:
Word Sharpeners 