Skip to main content

Operation Agent Ink: Query Letter Techniques

Sorry to post so late today. The flu is not fun:(

Anyway, today's intro will be some basic tips about what a query letter should include. Each workshop for the next couple of weeks will deal with specific aspects of the query letter. By the time the workshop is over, you will no longer hate the big Q!

Do you know what the definition of technique is and what technique really means?

Definition of technique: a question, esp. one addressed to an official or organization, a way of carrying out a particular task, esp. the execution or performance of an artistic work or a scientific procedure.

What about query? Do you know what it means?

Definition of query:  used in writing or speaking to question the accuracy of a following statement or to introduce a question.

There is a correct way to write a query letter and it's important you know how to do it in the right way.

First things first. Your book proposal should be treated as a professional business opportunity. I have heard this more than once. For me, this is the hardest part. I have a tough time presenting myself in a professional manner. Why? Because I look as everyone as a FRIEND. I use way too many exclamation points! and I always hold conversations in a bubbly way. So, for me, I started this workshop with a reminder to BE PROFESSIONAL.

I can attest that I have proved this. For every letter I have sent out with a "friend conversational tone" I have either not received an answer or got a rejection. For every letter I have sent with a professional tone, I have gotten a request. So, there you have it. BE PROFESSIONAL. There will be plenty of time for friendly chats with your editor or agent after the book deal has been made.

Next tip: Research your agent. Every agent is different. Some may prefer an intro at the beginning of the letter, some prefer you to jump right into the story. Some may want a nice informative bio about the author, others may not want to anything other than publishing credentials. So it is IMPORTANT to know the agent you are querying and what he/she prefers. Google their name and their agency and read everything you can read about them. Read interviews and blog posts. Follow them on Twitter.

Yes! I have Twitter now and so far I'm lovin' it! I love reading the tweets of authors and agents and editors. You learn AMAZING things about them!

Third tip: Spell the agents name correctly. The first time I read this tip, I thought. "What kind of jerk would spell an agents name wrong?" Well, my first ever letter was in a contest. For the life of me I cannot remember how I heard about the contest. But I entered and at the same time I entered another contest. MY first two ever. Boy, I was going to win! I just knew everyone would gush over my sample! Well, I won the first portion of the first contest! I was so excited!! The agent forwarded my entry to me with instructions for the next phase, and there in black in white were the words, "Spelled name wrong" I about died! So I apologized and would you believe, I spelled it wrong AGAIN. How wretched. In my defense, I will say, auto spell check can be a bad thing, but still, is that REALLY an excuse?? (Ms. Agent, if you are reading this, I will say again, I'm sorry!)

So. Spell the agents name right!

To review: Be professional
                  Do your research
                  Spell the agents name correctly

Come back on the 10th and we'll discuss the juicy, creative parts of the query letter!
Have an amazing day, beautiful guys and dolls!

Comments

  1. Sherry EllisJanuary 7, 2013 at 11:30 AM

    Good advice!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Tonja DreckerJanuary 7, 2013 at 1:05 PM

    Hope you're feeling better soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ink in the BookJanuary 7, 2013 at 6:14 PM

      Thank you Tonja...oh and surprises in store...soon:)

      Delete
  3. prerna pickettJanuary 7, 2013 at 1:14 PM

    thanks, I'm looking forward to more advice on this subject. I have the hardest time with query letters.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ink in the BookJanuary 7, 2013 at 6:14 PM

      I hope you find the next couple of weeks inspiring!

      Delete
  4. T.J.January 7, 2013 at 5:34 PM

    Take care of yourself!

    I'm trying to work my QL - it's enough to make me go bald! WRiting is so much easier to building a great QL...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ink in the BookJanuary 7, 2013 at 6:15 PM

      Feeling better now. Hope to be back up to par tomorrow.

      Hey, did you get your chocolate package?

      Delete
  5. AnonymousJanuary 7, 2013 at 5:57 PM

    I've got a query letter I love, but am feeling so discouraged overall right now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ink in the BookJanuary 7, 2013 at 6:16 PM

      Chin up and smile! Hope the next two works helps with your discouragement!!! Remember: MINE!

      Delete
  6. UnknownJanuary 7, 2013 at 6:32 PM

    Feel better! So glad you're loving twitter. So much good stuff on/by agents there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ink in the BookJanuary 7, 2013 at 6:50 PM

      I'm a slow learner, but I'm getting there:)

      My cold is getting better, but not gone. Still feel BLAH

      Delete
  7. Jessica HarveyJanuary 7, 2013 at 8:29 PM

    Great advice, I can't wait to see the rest! My QL for Runaway is somewhere on the Avengers Write blog... We'll have to all repost sometime :)

    Thanks again!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ink in the BookJanuary 7, 2013 at 11:04 PM

      Hi Jessica! I think I read your query, but I'll double check. Thursday, we'll get to the good stuff!

      Delete
  8. UnknownJanuary 8, 2013 at 1:12 AM

    I laughed in sympathy. Ms. Agent probably hates spell check, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ink in the BookJanuary 8, 2013 at 9:04 AM

      Yea, I quit responding to her on my phone because of that! So humiliating...*hangs head in shame* *quickly wipes eye* face palm:)

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Operation Agent Ink

UPDATE: PLEASE FILL OUT THIS QUESTIONNAIRE AFTER YOU SIGN UP. Have you ever wondered what agents were dying to find in their inbox/slush pile? There have been many times I entered a contest and not even received a comment, not even from one of the agents. Or maybe the agent was kind enough to leave a comment that simply said, "Sorry, this just isn't what I'm looking for, but I love the premise and your voice." I always walk away feeling unsatisfied. If I had known exactly what the agent wanted beyond, "YA" or "Fantasy" I might not have even entered a contest I knew I wouldn't win! Even more, I wasted a very busy agents time! Well, your time of guessing is up! OPERATION AGENT INK to the rescue! That's right! This workshop will help aspiring authors get on the list of an agent's WISH LIST! When the workshop is over, your manuscript will be ready to view by a group of AMAZING agents who are dying to see what you've wri...
111 comments
Read more

Writer In Motion CP feedback

Hey beautiful guys and dolls! Here it is! My CP feedback edited story. Had a hard time with this, but I hope it makes sense. I've got a post I'm working on I plan to put up after Thanksgiving. Here ya go. Enjoy... Every morning I wake to carnival day.  Today, though, I have my key. If I don’t use it before midnight, my way of escape will gone. It’s a silver key with a twisted metal handle, a sapphire stone half moon and engraved stars. There’s a tiny inscription on the moon, but it’s so small, I’ve never been able to read it.I’ve always kept mine in my jewelry box, but today, I string it on a ribbon and tie it around my neck. My two best friends will be wearing theirs, too, and I wonder how they will escape this carnival of dreams. “What’s it for?” Cress asks as we stand in line for the swings. I run my fingertips over the entire silver surface. “I don’t know. It belonged to my grandmother,” I say. “Whatever.” She shrugs her shoulder in a dismissive way. “Have ...
3 comments
Read more

Workshop 10

Today, let's get readers hooked from the very first sentence. If you do, you are off to a great start and hopefully a great first chapter. We are going to focus on the first and second sentence and how you can draw readers in while introducing two major items about your book: 1. Your MC 2. The main conflict. How? Is it really possible to do this in only TWO sentences? YES! Example: My name is Snow, like the white powder that falls during winter, though I don't know what my mom was thinking because it was ninety degrees the day I was born. I turned twelve the year I married a man I hated and thirteen when my first baby was born. This sentence tells us a lot. It shows us a little about Snow's personality, it hints toward a shortened childhood and could possibly point to a different time era. I also can definitely see the conflict. Can you? You only have a few minutes to make a good, first impression. Make sure you wow your reader enough they'll actually t...
115 comments
Read more