First and foremost, always check the publisher’s
website to determine if unsolicited manuscripts and/or query letters are
accepted. If not, keep looking for a publisher that accepts queries.
My query letters
begin with the date, followed by the greeting. Send to a particular
editor (e.g. Dear Ms. Smith) unless the publisher requests a different format,
such as an online form, which has become quite common.
I divide my query letter into three paragraphs.
The first paragraph begins with a hook. Keep it short, a mere sentence or two. A
query letter than landed me a contract for GONE CUCKOO began: Adoption
isn’t just for children. In the animal kingdom, cuckoo birds find foster
parents to raise their young. Within this first paragraph, I give a short synopsis of the
book, capturing the plot and theme of the story, but don’t usually reveal the
ending. (Again, check the publisher’s submission guidelines. Some want to know
the ending.) State the title of the book, target audience, word count, and
genre.
Describe your book so the editor will want to read the
manuscript. Check out the flap copy or back copy of books in libraries and
bookstores to see how books are described.
Next week, I’ll further discuss the how-to of writing a
query.
Call
for Submissions for Young Writers
BLAZE MAGAZINE: Ages 8-14. Focus is on horse-related entertainment and education. We
get lots and lots of mail! Some are great stories written by our readers. To showcase
their talent we’ve started a new department. Send us your short horse story or
poem and maybe you’ll be published here too!
Call
for Submissions for Adult Writers
CICADA is a YA lit/comics magazine
fascinated with the lyric and strange and committed to work that speaks to
teens’ truths. We publish poetry, realistic and genre fic, essay, and comics by
adults and teens. (We are also inordinately fond of Viking jokes.) Our readers
are smart and curious; submissions are invited but not required to engage young
adult themes. CICADA does not distribute theme lists for upcoming issues.
Submission guidelines at http://www.cicadamag.com/node/110
Nancy
Kelly Allen has written 40+ children’s books and a cookbook, SPIRIT OF
KENTUCKY: BOURBON COOKBOOK. Check out her website at www.nancykellyallen.com
Excellent advice on writing a good query letter - Most times, that's as far as an editor will get. You've taught me well - the hook is key.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sandi. You work hard at writing, and it's paid off. Woohoo for your new contract.
ReplyDelete