Last week, I posted a couple of tips on the elusive query letter in my post, Pitch Perfect. Here’s a continuation of my notes from a bit of research. I still like the Indie world, but an entrepreneur must keep all doors open.
Prepare BEFORE you send the query letter!
You need to know who the agent is that you are querying. They are not a faceless person, and you need to recognize that in the opening of the query letter. You should be able to clearly articulate why you chose them and make them believe that you are looking for the right agent, not just an agent, for your book. Spend that time looking at other books the agent has sold. When you approach an agent with that query letter, show how the theme of your book matches what they have already sold.
Now, take a few minutes to think about this. You would never approach a car dealer to buy a boat, right? Therefore, is there any reason that you’d approach an agent who sells mystery with a high fantasy story? I can’t think of one.
Be humble!
In my first post on this topic, I spoke about brand and your author brand. However, in the query letter, you need to be laser-focused on the book. Do not include a lifelong history of yourself if none of the points pertaining to the book (the product) you are trying to sell. Don’t tell them about how long you’ve been writing or about your pet who is your writing partner. Education is a conditional subject but beware and use it when it’s pertinent. Kathy Ver Eecke of https://donebylunch.com/ also said that the time to include things like your education is when it contributes to your personal expertise in a (likely non-fiction) book. When your background makes you an expert in the field, by all means, go for it! Otherwise, just don’t.
Other things that might be a turn-off for your dream agent is telling them that your book is their next best-seller. Agents do this job all the time. If the premise of the book and your sales pitch are spot on in your query letter, the agent will know how to sell that story. It’s their business.
Finally, don’t be rude, don’t lie, and don’t ask for free advice.
The content of your query letter
There are some mechanical things that can help or hurt your query letter off the bat. In my last post, I mentioned proofing. That is a must, so I reiterate. Have someone proofread it!
Do not include rhetorical questions. In this, you do not want to challenge the agent to come up with an answer. If you do, that answer is likely going to be, “NO!” It’s best to simply not put any kind of questions within the letter.
Listen up…This one applies to both writing query letters and independently publishing!
Make sure you have an outstanding hook! Here are a couple of resources to help in your journey to the creation of the best tag line ever!
A couple of tagline examples:
This is the way the world ends… for the last time.
The Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin
For Durzo Blint, assassination is an art – and he is the city’s most accomplished artist.
Night Angel, The Complete Trilogy by Brent Weeks
The end has come. The beginning comes next.
Year One by Nora Roberts
Dos and Don’ts of the Tagline
Here are some wonderful dos and don’ts for writing your tagline from WOW.
In closing…
Finally, and maybe most importantly… Remember that every story faces rejection. Believe in yourself and don’t give up too soon. Many, many of the best sellers in history were rejected more times than are countable. Check out this list for some perspective: http://www.litrejections.com/best-sellers-initially-rejected/