Query letter basics for the childrens book market book editing. The query letter is so much of a sales piece that its quite possible to write one without having written a word of the manuscript. The first few times i wrote query letters my stomachache did a fandango. Heres what a query letter looks like, but be careful to tailor your letter to a prospective agency or publishers guidelines. Picking comp titles from the agent or publishers list. To write a killer query, you need a onepage letter with three basic sections or paragraphs. How to write a darn good query letter ny book editors. If you are querying several other agencies simultaneously, we ask that you mention this in your query letter. Its a better idea to pick books that are similar but not eerily so. Publishers require prospective authors to submit either a proposal a longer document providing additional editorial and marketing information about your book or a query letter a onepage letter of introduction inviting the.
Apr 30, 2018 yes, i know, its really scary to think your query got lost in the ether and was never seen by your dream agent, but thats the way the ecookie crumbles. Since most agents ask that the picture book manuscript be included in the submission, writing a really meaty query for that short a manuscript. The only difference is that book agents first meet with publishers or call them on the phone, to tell them what a book is about and get permission to send it. But really, you know youre ready for an agent when. There are a lot of picture books out there, and there are many more picture book writers trying to break into the market. Our literary agent lists have information about both new and established author representatives. No need to write an elaborate picture book query letter. Writers use query letters to pitch article ideas to magazine editors or book ideas to agents and publishers. Successful query letters and winning examples writing and.
The problem is when you do this, the font for the salutation is oftentimes different from the font of the body text. You have one page and 300 words or less to woo a literary agent into falling in love with your story and then requesting your manuscript. Simple rules for writing an effective query letter, and a basic blueprint. Let us guide you through the query letter writing process and find out what a query letter is, why it is important, basic formatting tips, and much more. Query letters for childrens book fiction harold underdown. If you write fiction or narrative nonfiction, a query letter is your first and often, your only chance to get an agent interested in reading and, with hope, signing your work. A query letter is a way of introducing your writing to editors or literary agents and publishers. For example, you can use the list to find literary agencies and publishing agents in nyc, literary agencies and book agents in california, and more. Jan 15, 20 successful query letters and winning examples the goal of query letter is to elicit an invitation from an agent or editor to send in sample chapters or the whole manuscript. Now, in a traditional hard copy submission, you would place your cover letter on top of your childrens book.
All of your picture book query questions answered here, so you can write great childrens books for these kiddos. This is the perfect query letter for picture book formula. Mar 05, 2016 how to write a picture book query the basics the layout of a picture book query. Comp titles in a query and other questions about book.
All it requires is a firm grasp of your story premise. For authorillustrators, agents need to see your art. In a single page, the writer aims to make the editorpublisher get interested in reading or publishing the entire story. Simple query letter for picture book tips and a sample so you can publish a picture. The ideal number of comp titles in a query is two or three. Just before we look at it, i should say that i am a real author describing a real book this letter pretends th. Picture book query letters, by emma walton hamilton. If you want additional advice or variations on formatting, take a look at harold underdowns excellent the complete idiots guide to publishing children s books, available in bookstores or at your library. Review successful queries to see exactly what it takes to score an agent. Finding a literary agent for childrens books is easy using our literary agency database.
Send a single page cover letter that includes a brief synopsis of your work, your publication history, and how you were referred to us, if at all. A query letter going to an agent versus one that goes to a publisher will differ only in the research you indicate youve done that led you to choose submitting to this particular person. Dec 10, 2018 so if the book youre pitching is too close to one the agent represents or the publisher has published, this might actually be a liability for you. How to write a query letter this section of our website about query letters includes a free 15part guide on writing a query letter. It is either sent without an accompanying manuscript, or with two or three sample chapters the publishers guidelines will state which form the query should take. Its a onepage letter used to get an editor or agent. A query letter is a onepage letter sent to literary agents in an effort to get them excited about your book. A somewhat longer, 12 paragraph, introduction to the book. Just present the main characters, the main problem, and the resolution, then work in a hook great friendship hook, above, and sign off like you normally would with a novel query. When youre pitching fiction to an agent or publisher through a query letter, your ultimate goal is to get your manuscript read. For example, agent x may be one those with a rampant distaste for queries beginning with a. Literary agent query letter example below will help you improve your pitch to book agents. On the road to traditional publication, your query letter plays a central role in getting your book noticed. Give a very brief 1sentence summary of the book and your purpose in writing it.
Many authors hate the task of writing a query, but its a necessity in todays. Learn all about how to epublishing your masterpiece. How to write a query letter that gets manuscript requests. As more childrens book editor and agents want files they can read onscreen either on readers at home or on computers at work, more and more authors will be emailing instead of mailing submissions.
As you begin your hunt for a literary agent, remember. In order to have a book published by a traditional publisher, you will likely need to know how to write a query letter to find a literary agent a query letter is part business letter, part creative writing exercise, part introduction, part death defying leap through a flaming hoop. Read a sample literary agent query letter with hints. When to follow up with a literary agent nathan bransford. The best inside information and resources for writers of any genre and readers of young adult fiction, including secrets from popular authors, tips, howto advice, and indepth articles, plus giveaways, contests, literary agent and editor insight and much more. In nonfiction queries to childrens book publishers, begin by stating an interesting fact about your topic that helps establish a market for your book did you know jello, in its many shapes and forms, is eaten by 3 million people a day. But literary agents do not have the time to read every set of sample pages they receive. Query tips no one tells writers from literary agent carly watters. Nonfiction books jane friedman for years, ive offered a lengthy guide on how to write a query letter for a novel. Example of a successful query letter society of childrens.
Many agents speak at writers programs, book festivals, and conferences, like romance writers of. Successful query letters and winning examples writing. Jan 17, 2020 the query letter has one purpose, and one purpose only. Then they mail, email, or messenger the book to the publisher. Successful query letters and winning examples the goal of query letter is to elicit an invitation from an agent or editor to send in sample chapters or the whole manuscript.
Dec 19, 2011 youve got a great idea for a nonfiction book. This letter is short, sweet, and definitely to the point. But i wanted to give you a simple, straightforward set of instructions. If the query letter stands alone, its your only chance to sell the editor on your book. Intro make sure you specifically address the agent you are querying use mr. Post your query letter and receive indepth feedback and critiques. How not to write a darn good query letterdont go beyond one page. To help inspire you, weve collected 116 examples of successful query letters from famous authors spanning various genres, from crime fiction, to fantasy, to young adult. Cover letters for electronic submissions to childrens. I have also had stories published in childrens magazines.
Comp titles in a query and other questions about book comps. Not a fullscale plot summary, thats for the synopsis. The query is still a little long at the top, but if an agent submits the greedy goat manuscript to an acquisitions editor to a childrens book publisher the synopsis like introduction could be modified by the agent saving the agent time creating a pitch from scratch. Query letters that worked sub it club features the letter of author margaret chiu greanias as a successful example of a query. Follow this by describing what your book is about and your particular slant on the topic. Write it poorly and an agent will assume your book is also poorly written. Ill be adding more agents here as im able, so its a good place to check back. The bad news is that they get hundreds, perhaps thousands, of emails every day from writers just like you. In an equery, you dont need to start with your address, the recipients nametitle address, or date as you would in a traditional snailmail business letter to editorspublishers. Write a killer picture book query to hook a literary agents. With loads of hints and tips on how to get your letter right you want to know what a great query letter to literary agents should look like. It must stimulate and intrigue to secure your allimportant first date.
Query letter how to write an irresistible agent query. How to write a picture book query letter in 6 simple steps. In fact, when it comes to landing literary agents and publishers, a compelling and properly formatted query letter is just as important as a good manuscript. Mar 21, 2016 one of the easiest ways to learn what makes a good, standard query letter is simply to see an example of one that does its job well. When writing a query letter for a picture book you will basically have. If you click on the client s name far right column, youll get the story of how they got their agent in interview form, and as the very last point, almost all post their successful query letter. On the road to traditional publication, your query letter plays a central role in getting literary agents and publishers to notice your book. How to submit your childrens books ideas to agencies dummies. Actually, its rude to go over one page in a query letter, not to mention unprofessional. Query letter sample literary agents and literary agencies. This article is part of a 17part series called the best way to get a literary agent.
Some agents and editors like essential basic information in the first paragraph. Query letters need to be perfect, free of spelling and grammatical errors. Query tips from authorartistzoologist jess keating. How to write a query letter that grabs a literary agents. Oct 04, 2016 12 literary agents seeking picture books now. Some smart writers customize their comp titles in a query to reflect books represented by the literary agent theyre querying, or the publisher theyre submitting to. In fact, some literary agents accept only query letters and request sample pages only from writers who present a strong query letter. I will help you through the twists and turns of becoming a published children s book author. All submissions should include a short query letter to that agent introducing yourself and including a description of your work, as well as previous publishing credentials if any, and publisher submission history. Read the query letter on page 11 of this guide, or online at resource library.
Yes, a query should be a professional business letter, but honestly, writing a query in the same manner as a regular cover letter is a recipe for snoozeville. Mark now helps authors of all genres fiction, nonfiction, and children s books get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company literary agent undercover and the bestselling author. Then, open your letter with a greeting, and include a brief paragraph that introduces your book. Writers use these letters to pitch their ideas to editors and publishers. Some are shared by the authors one tells us that it was the 22nd version of their query that got noticed and. The query letter has one purpose, and one purpose only. Publishers require prospective authors to submit either a proposal a longer document providing additional editorial and marketing information about your book or a query letter a onepage letter of introduction inviting the publisher to ask for more details about your project.
Literary agents certainly arent going to tell you what im going to tell you, because the knowledge ill share with you will help make your query letter leap out of the pack and genuinely excite agents whether your book is any good or not. Literary agents for childrens books 20192020 children. A query is a business letter asking permission to send the project described. Agents while an agent is not necessary to submit a manuscript to an editor, many publishers accept only solicited material represented by an agent. Marks authors have gotten sixfigure book deals, been on the nyt bestseller list, and published with houses such as random. Query letters that worked a childrens book editors site. Query letter how to write an irresistible agent query for. Because the point of a query letter is to give the agent or publisher a quick rundown on your idea, describe how it fits into the marketplace, and show some indication of your ability to write the book and help promote it. Writing a query letter advice from young adult author kat cho. Sample query letter the query letter sample below will help you create a successful query letter of your own, so you can get a top literary agent, publisher, and book deal.
Know where your picture book belongs in the market. Amy stern the official manuscript wish list website. Query letters that worked a childrens book editors. It s true that most of these are not for pbs, but it s still a huge resource of successful query letters. Literary agents for childrens books 20192020 use our free list of literary agents to find childrens literary agents accepting submissions for fiction and nonfiction. How i personally feel about comp titles in query letters with the caveat that not all agents feel this way from literary agent tracy marchini.
Dear agent, when twelveyearold magenta wises parents announce theyre moving four hundred miles so her selective mute sister can attend a special school, her dreams of attending the ramsey duffles junior bakers academy deflate like a. Ask and receive answers about anything and everything related to the publishing industry. List of literary agents 20192020 book agents looking. A query letter for a nonfiction book isnt all that different from a fiction query. Something about the book enough to make the agent want more something. How to write a query letter in 7 steps the reedsy blog. Dec 29, 2016 sometimes, if youre sending a query letter to an agent, you will start a new email off by saying dear mr. Dont be afraid to ask for a referral and have your query letter handy for forwarding. Publishing agents have to write query letters, too. Lastly, because picture books are so short, even if an agent s guidelines simply say query me, typical protocol is to paste your entire picture book text in the email after the query letter. When writing a query letter for a picture book you will basically have three main paragraphs, plus your signoff. And more and more, this hook must come in the form of a query letter. A query letter is a letter geared toward literary agents or editors asking if they would like to see your manuscript.
How to draft proposals to childrens book publishers dummies. A query letter is a one page letter with three concise paragraphs. How to write the perfect query letter query letter example. Picture book submissions should be a short query along with entire manuscript in body of email. List of literary agents 20192020 use our free lists of book agents in our literary agencies database for all book agents near me searches. Following your query letter, depending on what you are submitting, include.
The best first line i ever had was anthony bourdain said that we should work. How to write a query letter for a literary agent nathan. Example of a successful query letter society of childrens book. This is only a barebones guide to writing a cover letter. Aug 12, 2011 picture book query letters, by emma walton hamilton writeoncon 2011. From name dropping to using vulgarity, our literary agents roundtable guests share their favorite pitch letters.
Aug 18, 2018 query letter basics for the childrens book market. This cover letter can be pasted into the body of your email. Wow children book publishers with perfect query letters. Make sure you specifically address the agent you are querying use mr.
Ive asked them myself as a children s book writer and answered them as an industry mentor. How to get a literary agent it may seem like a daunting task, but the good news is that agents need writersits how they make their living. Shane and then paste query letter text below into the email body. Query letters for childrens book fiction musings archive for april 2003. Aug 01, 2011 the definitive guide query letters are a recurring theme here since every writer needs one, and there are hundreds of posts online full of query advice. Agentquery find the agent who will find you a publisher. Mark malatesta is a former literary agent turned author coach. Query letter basics for the childrens book market book.
Query letters for children s book fiction musings archive for april 2003. Youre courting an agent on behalf of your manuscript, and the query letter is your calling card. Aug 22, 2019 to write a query letter, start by including your name, address, and contact information at the top of the page, followed by the same information for the agent youre submitting your letter to. Most literary agents will not even consider a query letter with more than one page or front and back. Query letters to agents that worked jason boog for mediabistros galleycat pulled together this great resource, 23 query letters to literary agents that worked. A great query should not only tell an agent what your book is about, but it should also match your book s tone. Queries should include the following three elements. Home page more useful articles search for more information. I am a member of scbwi and the author of a childrens picture book.
To help inspire you, weve collected 116 query letter examples from famous authors spanning various genres. Query letter a former literary agent and former aar member reveals how to write an agent query that gets top literary agents reading your book. These days, most queries to agents will be equeries. How to submit your childrens books ideas to agencies. Double check you have spelled their name correctly. You should put just as much care and attention into crafting and polishing your query as you did into your manuscript. Firsttime query writers can be a teensy bit too emotional in their query letters. Instead put them online somewhere, and then simply send the agent an email with a link that leads to your website where they can see your work. How much should you personalize a query letter from columnist, professor, and blogger jane. Most agencies restrict attachments in query letters, so linking to sample art or an online portfolio is your best bet. Query letters are your introduction and a tease of your book.
The only exception to this is if the agent specifically requested a query letter from you, as in a referral situation or where theres some sort of a personal connection. Their loyalty will always be to the author and project that already exists in their portfolio. Agents tend to prefer book summaries that get to the heart of a book s story and plotas opposed to statements about a book s thematic explorations and aspirations. Sep 27, 2010 all of your query letter for picture book questions, answered here.