The Writer's Digest Guide To Query Letters

by Burt-Thomas, Wendy

• ISBN13: 9781582975665
• ISBN10: 1582975663
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-01-02
• Publisher: Writers Digest Books

Summary

Make That Crucial, Positive First ImpressionAnyone who’s researched the marketplace knows: The path to publication begins with your query letter. If your query is weak, unfocused, or uninspired, an editor or agent won’t even bother to request your article, novel manuscript, or nonfiction book proposal. But a well-crafted, compelling query sent to the right editor or agent is an essential sales tool for fiction writers and the most effective way for nonfiction writers to pre-sell your idea.In this book, professional freelance writer and magazine editor Wendy Burt-Thomas shares practical advice on how to craft persuasive letters that connect with editors and agents and ultimately generate sales for you. You’ll learn how to: Conduct targeted research to find suitable editors and agents Hook an editor with a tantalizing lead and shape a summary that compels editors to buy Select the strongest slant for your book or article Use research and interview shortcuts that keep your query prep profitable Make your query rejection-proof by weeding out subtle mistakes that can sabotage your project Communicate your author platform and sell yourself as the best writer for the subject Complete with dozens of sample queries - some that landed article assignments, agents, or book deals, and others that never stood a chance - this book offers you a comprehensive strategy for presenting your writing ideas in a way that will increase your chances of publication. Though the title may lead some to believe it’s strictly to be shelved as a reference manual, The Writer’s Digest Guide to Query Letters is a smooth read from cover to cover.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Up for the Challenge?	p. 1
What's a Query Anyway?	p. 1
Why Use a Query Letter?	p. 2
Who Writes Queries?	p. 3
Knowing When You're Ready	p. 3
The Ever-Evolving Query Letter	p. 4
Computers	p. 4
The Web	p. 5
E-mail	p. 5
Increased Foreign Correspondence	p. 6
Keeping Track Of Submissions	p. 7
Query Basics	p. 9
Thou Shalt Look Professional	p. 10
Include an SASE (If You're Querying by Snail Mail)	p. 11
Address Your Query to the Right Editor or Agent, With the Right Title	p. 11
Format Your Query According to Industry Standards	p. 12
Spell the Magazine, Agency, or Publishing House Correctly and Get Its Address Right	p. 12
Thou Shalt Pitch a Great Lead	p. 12
Thou Shalt Tailor Your Query to the Magazine	p. 14
Thou Shalt Offer a Fresh Idea	p. 16
Thou Shalt Be Creative in Your Presentation	p. 20
Thou Shalt Tighten Your Query Angle	p. 21
Thou Shalt Sweeten the Pot	p. 22
Photos, Graphics, Illustrations, or Renderings	p. 22
Sidebars and Sidelights	p. 24
The Giveaway	p. 24
Thou Shalt Not Propose the Impossible	p. 26
Failure to Deliver	p. 26
Short Turnarounds	p. 26
Impossible Word Counts	p. 27
Thou Shalt Show Credentials	p. 27
Thou Shalt Have Fun	p. 31
Article Queries	p. 34
Components Of A Query	p. 34
The Opening Hook	p. 34
The Supporting Details	p. 35
Your Qualifications	p. 35
The Thank-You	p. 35
Identifying Your Market	p. 35
Decoding Writer's Guidelines	p. 39
Whom to Contact	p. 40
How to Contact	p. 40
Web Site	p. 40
Preferred Word Count	p. 41
Types of Material Accepted	p. 41
Percent of Freelance Material Accepted	p. 41
Publication Frequency	p. 41
Circulation	p. 42
Founding Date	p. 42
Pay Rates	p. 43
Payment Terms	p. 43
Number of Manuscripts Purchased Each Year	p. 43
Information on Photo Submissions	p. 44
If the Magazine Has Online Versions	p. 44
Rights Purchased	p. 44
Columns/Departments	p. 44
Notes From the Editor	p. 45
General Information About the Magazine	p. 46
If Byline/Bio Is Given	p. 46
Lead Time	p. 47
If Simultaneous Submissions Are Accepted	p. 47
How to Receive a Sample Copy	p. 47
Kill Fee	p. 48
Visits Per Month	p. 48
Special Issues	p. 48
Response Time	p. 48
If Reprints Are Accepted	p. 48
Famous People Who Have Contributed	p. 49
If the Publication Pays for Writer's Expenses	p. 49
Other Market Resources	p. 49
Knowing What Editors Want	p. 50
Impress an Editor With ...	p. 51
Depress an Editor With ...	p. 54
Nonfiction Book Queries	p. 72
Query vs. Proposal	p. 72
The Opening Hook	p. 73
The Supporting Details	p. 73
Your Qualifications	p. 74
The Summary	p. 74
The Thank-You and Request to Send the Proposal	p. 75
Book Proposals	p. 75
Key Components of a Nonfiction Book Proposal	p. 76
Choosing a Publisher	p. 82
Catch a Book Editor's Eye With ...	p. 83
Ensure an Editor Will Overlook You By ...	p. 97
Special Nonfiction Book Considerations	p. 102
Novel Queries	p. 122
Understanding the Fiction Query	p. 122
The Credentials Question	p. 123
Common Novel Query Mistakes	p. 125
Components of a Novel Synopsis	p. 132
Romance	p. 135
Literary	p. 137
Mystery	p. 138
Thriller/Suspense	p. 139
Speculative	p. 139
Children's	p. 142
Cross-Genre	p. 143
Agent Queries	p. 145
Components of an Agent Query Letter	p. 148
Landing Agent Representation	p. 170
Approach With Caution	p. 172
Choosing Wisely	p. 174
Becoming the Model Client	p. 177
Have a Platform	p. 177
Understand the Business and Its Processes	p. 178
Be Willing to Rewrite	p. 178
Respect Your Agent's Opinions	p. 178
Have a Book Deal With a Publisher	p. 180
Have Incredible Talent (Without the Ego)	p. 181
Have Patience	p. 181
Strive for More Than One Book	p. 181
Be Careful With Referrals	p. 183
A Client Only a Mother Could Love	p. 184
Sending Unfocused Queries	p. 184
Not Following Through on Deadlines	p. 184
Including Irrelevant Information in Your Query	p. 184
Lying/Exaggerating	p. 185
Nagging	p. 185
Pushing for Too Much Control	p. 185
Expectating an Unrealistic Advance and Royalties	p. 185
Following Up	p. 189
Magazine Article Queries	p. 189
Queries to Agents	p. 191
Queries to Book Publishers	p. 192
Interpreting Rejection Letters (And the Coded Phrases Within Them)	p. 192
Responding to an Acceptance or Rejection	p. 198
Other Forms of Correspondence	p. 202
Cover Letters	p. 202
Thank-You Notes	p. 203
Turning Down an Assignment	p. 205
Pulling an Article Submission	p. 206
Requesting Information From a Source	p. 207
Complaining to an Editor	p. 210
Following Up on a "Maybe"	p. 211
Following Up on Payment	p. 212
Some Parting Words	p. 213
Resources	p. 214
Glossary of Terms	p. 214
For Further Study	p. 216
Trade Magazines	p. 216
Books and Reference Guides	p. 217
Web Sites	p. 218
E-Zines	p. 218
Organizations and Genre Groups	p. 218
Online Writing Courses	p. 218
Index	p. 221
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