Why can’t I just call them up and tell them what I have? Do I need an agent? What do I include in my query letter: Should I send out a business format? How do I open my query for effect? What else can I do to write a powerful query?
I was just like you. I had questions and I needed answers. Glen proposes some shortcuts to get your query letter finished faster.
How to Publish Your Book - What to Include in Your Query Letters to Literary Agents
By Glen Ford
So you've written your book. It's all ready and you're wondering how to publish your book. Maybe you've even sent it out few times without success. In any case, you've now discovered that you need an agent.
But how to get one?
First off, good decision! The truth is that most editors don't have time to go through their slush pile anymore. Using an agent is almost the only way to get a manuscript read today.
But how do you get an agent?
The short answer is to send out a query letter. The bigger question is what to include in your query letters to literary agents.
First off, you need to realize that a query letter is your first impression with that agent. You need to impress them with your professionalism. So unless you're Bill Glazer forget the outrageous copy. Just be business like.
Your query letter should start out like any other business letter. With your name and mailing address. Better still, use pre-printed letterhead. The cost of having a good printer pre-print fifty or a hundred letterhead is well worth it. An alternative is to design a letterhead on your computer and have print automatically. Just remember to keep it professional and business-like.
The next section is for the agent's mailing address. Use the company name but if at all possible, don't forget the agent. You need to send query letters to a specific person. And above all -- spell their name correctly.
So far, we've been describing a standard business letter. There is a reason. A query letter is first and foremost a business letter. And like any other standard business letter the next section is the salutation: Dear Ms. Agent. Again you need to spell the name right. This is all standard business letter type stuff. Spell the name right, get the format right. And so on.
The body is where the query letter begins to be unique. Most business letters allow for certain flexibility and a certain personal flair. However, certain letters have fallen into a clipped, somewhat impersonal format. Collection letters, legal letters and query letters. They're meant to be skimmed and the important information pulled out.
In the case of query letter that format is hook, mini-synopsis, bio, close.
The hook is the introduction to both the book and the letter. What's the book about? Why should someone read it? Why do I care? Think back cover copy. You need to have a first paragraph that hooks the reader into wanting to read the rest of the cover letter. Otherwise they won't bother. And you'll have failed. This is only fair since, if you can't hook the agent, you certainly won't be able to hook the reader. The good news is that there are several standard hooks that can be used.
The second paragraph should be a single paragraph mini-synopsis. What's the book about? What happens? You've got roughly 150 words to summarize that 300 page "Great American Novel". And don't forget that you need to tell a story that keeps the reader's interest while doing it.
Think of the hook as the piece that grabs the agent's interest. The second paragraph is what makes that interest worthwhile.
Your third paragraph should be a mini-bio. If you've written your query properly up to this point you've convinced the agent that the story is worth investigating. Now you need to convince the agent that you are worth listening to. Don't get too immodest and keep it relevant to the story. Don't bother with your day job unless it improves your story. If you've had a number of previous publications just attach a list of writing credits and then refer to the list in this paragraph. Keep it short and sweet. This is who I am. This is why you should listen to me. This is what I bring to the story.
The final paragraph is the close. In it you should mention your preferred contact method (email, or phone) and also repeat how to contact you (i.e. provide your phone or email). Be sure to mention what is included in the package you've sent.
Then like any other business letter you need to close with a signature. That's it, you're done with your query letter.
All you need to do now is add the table of contents, two chapters and a self-addressed stamped envelope and you've got a package to send out to an agent.
Good Luck!
Do you want to learn how to write a book in 24 hours? Take my brand new free course here: http://www.learningcreators.com
Do you want to read more free information like this? Go to my blog: http://www.learningcreators.com/blog/
Glen Ford is an accomplished consultant, trainer and writer. He has far too many years experience as a trainer and facilitator to willingly admit.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Glen_Ford
Comment: You’re well on your way. When you follow the lead of what others before you have done and succeeded at, you too can win. I went through this process for three and a half years before I decided to self-publish.
I was just like you. I had questions and I needed answers. Glen proposes some shortcuts to get your query letter finished faster.
How to Publish Your Book - What to Include in Your Query Letters to Literary Agents
By Glen Ford
So you've written your book. It's all ready and you're wondering how to publish your book. Maybe you've even sent it out few times without success. In any case, you've now discovered that you need an agent.
But how to get one?
First off, good decision! The truth is that most editors don't have time to go through their slush pile anymore. Using an agent is almost the only way to get a manuscript read today.
But how do you get an agent?
The short answer is to send out a query letter. The bigger question is what to include in your query letters to literary agents.
First off, you need to realize that a query letter is your first impression with that agent. You need to impress them with your professionalism. So unless you're Bill Glazer forget the outrageous copy. Just be business like.
Your query letter should start out like any other business letter. With your name and mailing address. Better still, use pre-printed letterhead. The cost of having a good printer pre-print fifty or a hundred letterhead is well worth it. An alternative is to design a letterhead on your computer and have print automatically. Just remember to keep it professional and business-like.
The next section is for the agent's mailing address. Use the company name but if at all possible, don't forget the agent. You need to send query letters to a specific person. And above all -- spell their name correctly.
So far, we've been describing a standard business letter. There is a reason. A query letter is first and foremost a business letter. And like any other standard business letter the next section is the salutation: Dear Ms. Agent. Again you need to spell the name right. This is all standard business letter type stuff. Spell the name right, get the format right. And so on.
The body is where the query letter begins to be unique. Most business letters allow for certain flexibility and a certain personal flair. However, certain letters have fallen into a clipped, somewhat impersonal format. Collection letters, legal letters and query letters. They're meant to be skimmed and the important information pulled out.
In the case of query letter that format is hook, mini-synopsis, bio, close.
The hook is the introduction to both the book and the letter. What's the book about? Why should someone read it? Why do I care? Think back cover copy. You need to have a first paragraph that hooks the reader into wanting to read the rest of the cover letter. Otherwise they won't bother. And you'll have failed. This is only fair since, if you can't hook the agent, you certainly won't be able to hook the reader. The good news is that there are several standard hooks that can be used.
The second paragraph should be a single paragraph mini-synopsis. What's the book about? What happens? You've got roughly 150 words to summarize that 300 page "Great American Novel". And don't forget that you need to tell a story that keeps the reader's interest while doing it.
Think of the hook as the piece that grabs the agent's interest. The second paragraph is what makes that interest worthwhile.
Your third paragraph should be a mini-bio. If you've written your query properly up to this point you've convinced the agent that the story is worth investigating. Now you need to convince the agent that you are worth listening to. Don't get too immodest and keep it relevant to the story. Don't bother with your day job unless it improves your story. If you've had a number of previous publications just attach a list of writing credits and then refer to the list in this paragraph. Keep it short and sweet. This is who I am. This is why you should listen to me. This is what I bring to the story.
The final paragraph is the close. In it you should mention your preferred contact method (email, or phone) and also repeat how to contact you (i.e. provide your phone or email). Be sure to mention what is included in the package you've sent.
Then like any other business letter you need to close with a signature. That's it, you're done with your query letter.
All you need to do now is add the table of contents, two chapters and a self-addressed stamped envelope and you've got a package to send out to an agent.
Good Luck!
Do you want to learn how to write a book in 24 hours? Take my brand new free course here: http://www.learningcreators.com
Do you want to read more free information like this? Go to my blog: http://www.learningcreators.com/blog/
Glen Ford is an accomplished consultant, trainer and writer. He has far too many years experience as a trainer and facilitator to willingly admit.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Glen_Ford
Comment: You’re well on your way. When you follow the lead of what others before you have done and succeeded at, you too can win. I went through this process for three and a half years before I decided to self-publish.
