Writing A Killer Query

The query letter.

It's just a few lines. Not nearly as time-consuming and angst-provoking as writing a manuscript, right?

Wrong.

The query letter is your foot in the door. It's your first chance to shine. It is, in other words, your first impression, and if you think that doesn't matter, you need to rethink what you're thinking.

First impressions are everything. They portray us as professionals or not, writers or not, successful or not.

Slapping a few words into a few sentences onto a page that's going to decide your fate as a writer is not the way to handle query writing.

So, what is the proper way to compose a stellar query?

In one word...professionalism.

A concise, well thought out and easy to read query goes much farther than colorful paper and flowery prose. Editors and agents don't have time to weed through your overwrought description of why they should read your manuscript. They want to know three things:

1. Who you are.
2. What your story is about.
3. Why you feel they might be interested in reading it.

And, they want to know those things quickly.

An attention grabbing query is not the one that grabs the most attention, but, rather, the one that sells the product in smooth easy tones that don't even hint at anything beyond that moment. Because, you are not selling your manuscript at this point. You are simply knocking on the door and asking to be let in.

To set up a query that will work, you must be able to highlight the main points of your story in a few well thought out and well written sentences. A mini synopsis, if you will. A back cover blurb. A tantalizing peek at what is to come.

A killer query touches on your story, showcases your writing and gives a glimpse of you.

Important?

Very.

It is the beginning of everything.

And, we all know how important beginnings are.

They set the tone for the story. If your story is to have a satisfying ending, it must also have a compelling beginning, and that is exactly what your query must provide.

I have a few query examples to post next.

Good and bad. Successful and not.

For, today, this will have to be enough, because I really am an author, and I actually do write, and I have quite a bit of work to do.