Sample Query Letter

Sample Query Letter
Your Name
Address
Home Phone
Email:

Date

Editor or Agent's Name
Publisher or Agent's Address

Dear Ms. Name, Never just use Dear Editor or Dear Agent

To start off, give the name and length and type of manuscript you are
sending. One Wife Needed is a completed 57,000 word contemporary romance
set in Louisiana. This story is targeted for the Silhouette Desire line. (That
completed part is important because editors and agents don't want to waste
time on something you haven't finished. Too many people start novels and
never finish them. The word count is important to, since that lets them know
if your story is the right length for them. No used wasting their time if you
novel is 55,000 words complete and they don't publish anything under
80,000. The same if it's 130,000. Few if any print pubs are going to touch
something that long from a new romance writer, not with the cost of ink,
paper and shipping being what it is.)

Next add the meat of your query... Remember that teaser on the back of
the book. Write your own one. You don't have much more room than that.
A good query should almost always be no more than one page long.

This next part is where you brag. Add anything that shows you are a
serious writer who has studied her craft. How long you've been writing, that
you've finished a number of manuscripts, you are a member of RWA, you have
taken workshops or classes, your story won a writing contest, you belong to a
great critique group. You can add other things too, say your main character is
a nurse, and so are you. If you don't have anything to brag about yet, then
that's fine too. Make sure your writing is strong enough to speak for you.

Don't forget the SASE, and don't forget the thank you! Something like... If
you are interested, I will gladly send you either the first three chapters of this
story, or the complete manuscript. I have enclosed a synopsis and a SASE for
your reply. If you prefer, you can send an e-mail. Thanks very much for your
time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Your name
Some people now days also add their e-mail address and even website address