To find the first part of this series, Click HERE. For Part 2, click HERE. To listen to the full discussion on the Write. Publish. Repeat. Podcast, click HERE.
Paragraph Two of the Query Letter
Mini-Synopsis
Similar to the back cover summary
100-250 words
Expand on your hook
Explain more about your Main characters…
Problems/conflicts…
How adversity changes them…
Read back covers of other books for examples!
Paragraph Three: Bio
Brand new Author?
(You may want to skip this)
- What to include?
Is it meaningful to the query?
Does it show personality? - Keep it short
- Keep it writing related
- Education
- Work
- Personal experience
- Research
Publishing Credits/Awards
- Awards
- If you’ve won them…INCLUDE THEM
Don’t be modest, but don’t go overboard
- If you’ve won them…INCLUDE THEM
Publishing credits (BE SPECIFIC)
Journals
Online/trade magazines
Unpublished?
You don’t need to say
Academic or Nonfiction?
Shows you know the process
DON’T INCLUDE:
Church news letter, credits unrelated to professional writing
Self-Published: Include or Not Include?
- Timing
- It will be discussed eventually
- Doesn’t hurt your chances
- Be confident
- Be ready discuss success/failure
- Do you consider it a Mistake/Irrelevant
- Leave it out
- Does it make you a more desirable client?
- Depends on success – mention sales numbers, length of time on sale
- Success to some agents/pub = 5000 sales (per month…)
- Depends on success – mention sales numbers, length of time on sale
What NOT to Mention
- Social media presence/platform
- UNLESS you have A LOT of followers
- Agents will Google you anyway
- Marketing Plan
- Years of effort and dedication
- Family/friends opinions
- Past rejections/near misses
- Apologize
- Compliment your work
- Discuss $$ your book will make
Thank You/Closing
- Thank the agent/pub
- Time & consideration
- Alert agent/pub full manuscript is available upon request
- Mention if your book is being considered by another agency
- Series potential/written
- Include contact information basics
- Only offer exclusives for a short time period
- Only compare your book to another in terms of style, voice, theme (Not $$)
Join me next week for a discussion on writing a great blurb for your query.
Listen to the full discussion now on my new podcast!
Write. Publish. Repeat. Podcast: How to Write a Query Letter Without Going Completely Crazy
USA Today Bestselling Author DelSheree Gladden 