THE Group for Authors! discussion

Google query letter hell...

I'm willing to look, but I don't use an agent. I am published, but I just send off the manuscript with the synopsis and whatever else they ask for, so the queries I send are more like cover letters. Unless specifically requested, I've never seen the point of sending out queries alone. That may depend on what genre you work in, though.

No harm in asking, but bear in mind this:

As you know, one of the way publishers screen submissions is by the quality of the query. This saves them a lot of time/effort/money. So if your query is mostly the work of others, you are misleading the publisher UNLESS the quality of your manuscript is as good as the query.

But if you can write a fine m/s, you can already write an acceptable query, most likely.

And no matter how good the query is, if the book isn't also high quality, it won't be picked up.

Bottom line: there's little to be gained by using someone else's query to represent your work.

That said, (1) go ahead and get some specific help on your draft query; (2) learn how to write queries in general; (3) note what was wrong with your query's first draft; (4) make sure those same errors don't also pervade your m/s; (5) get a few competent beta readers to check out your story; (6) fix any story level problems; (7) hire a paid editor to review and mark up your m/s on the grammar/syntax level; (8) fix the marks; (9) write your final query; (10) send it out. (11) Repeat as needed.

Good luck!

You know what? I was going to say EXACTLY what J wrote (I know...it's downright eerie). I've only ever had one query letter accepted, but a review of my old letters revealed a tendency on my part to write queries of a tepid, uninteresting nature. Upon realizing this fact, I gave up and wrote in my natural voice (frightened little lizard toes running up and down my spine). I found an editor/publisher who graduated a year ahead of me from the same reform school.

Other than that nugget, I'd recommend Barbara Rogan's blog (and professional services). I don't remember the URL, but that's why we have Google.

Anna wrote: "Thanks for your answers everyone. I apologize it took my a crazy long time to respond but my laptop had a little accident, ok a big accident. Anyway I'm typing this from my new one - yay!!! My g..."

No problemo. The mills of the Gods, you know...

Good that you're proceeding. Be sure to have someone look over your query letter before you send it. One can never see one's own mistakes. And be sure to query only places that might publish your type of material. For example, don't query a Christian publisher for a hot, erotic book, or a hard-boiled mystery to a publisher of cozy mysteries.

Christie wrote: "Good that you're proceeding. Be sure to have someone look over your query letter before you send it. One can never see one's own mistakes. And be sure to query only places that might publish your t..."

Good advice. Yes, make sure you do some research before you send a query to a publisher or agent.