Cover Letters & Query Letters

 

I admit I am lax about them. Probably because I think it will not help me get published; and that when I got business mail I wanted it to be concise so I could get to what lay underneath. A better way of doing them is here, Cover Letters: What they are and how to write one.  

While each differs a bit, they will all have a similar format. 

1. Editor’s name (if you can find it) and brief greeting 

2. Word count rounded to the nearest hundred 

3. Title of the short-form piece 

4. The genre 

5. Short description of the piece 

6. Your credentials, if applicable 

7. Whether it's a simultaneous submission 

Strange Horizons has some great cover letter examples on its website and tips for writing your own. 

There seemed to be a lot of query letter examples online, but I keep losing them. Soon, maybe sooner, I will need to be writing them. So, I am putting Everything You Need to Know About Query Letters here for safekeeping.

While every letter can differ depending on the author and their experience, you can expect it to have these elements. 

● Opening greeting: Personalize this to the agent you are sending it to if you can. If you don’t have a connection to the agent (maybe you were referred or met them at a conference), you can always fall back on the story. 

● Hook: Catch the reader’s interest fast with a line or a sentence about the book. If you can’t think of a hook, jump right into the “housekeeping.” 

● Housekeeping: Includes the title, genre, and word count (to the nearest thousandth). These three things are something every agent needs to know. 

● Book Synopsis: Typically around 150-300 words, the synopsis should provide a concise description of the plot, the characters, and the central questions and conflicts without spoiling the book. Think of it as the jacket copy (the copy you find on the dust jacket or the back of a book) for your future book. Make the stakes for the main character clear. 

● Comp Titles: You can compare your manuscript to these titles as proof of its market viability and potential readership. You’ll often see formats of introducing comp titles like “A meets B” or “for fans of…” Comp titles are often the most frustrating part of writing the query letter. Things to consider when choosing comp titles: 

    ● Don’t choose a classic book or any insanely successful book 

    ● Make sure it’s been published within the last five years (and that the author is alive) 

    ● Don’t choose a super obscure book/title 

● Your credentials: This is the opportunity to share relevant accomplishments or accolades about yourself. Everything you include in your bio should be pertinent to the agent. This includes (but is not limited to): publication credits, self-published work, your job (if relevant), writing credibility such as BFAs or MFAs, writing 

events/workshops/conferences, relevant research (if applicable), and awards and competitions. If you aren’t sure it’s relevant, err on the side of caution and don’t include it. Don’t just say you’ve been published in “various magazines/ and or journals”. If you can’t name them, don’t include them. But if you are unpublished, it’s implied you lack any credits if you don’t list anything, so don’t state it. 

● Professional Conclusion: Keep it short but simple. Thank the agent and sign off. No need to suggest how great the partnership would be or your availability. 

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