The Mastery of Writing a Query Letter

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In the world of literature, making a substantial contact is crucial, and that's where query letters come into play. Contributed by Michael Mohr, a Bay Area writer, former literary agent's assistant, and freelance book editor, this guide offers valuable insights for aspiring authors.

Mohr recommends having a one- and a two-page synopsis ready, as agents may request materials or a synopsis first. The query letter, the first professional contact between an author and a literary agent, should be well-crafted to make an impression.

The hook or logline of your query letter should be simple, concrete, and interesting, following the 'when formula'. For instance, "When a small-town librarian uncovers a hidden treasure, she must outwit a ruthless antiquarian to save her community." This hook should be accompanied by the genre and word count of your book.

The query letter should consist of three solid paragraphs: the hook, a mini-synopsis, and an author bio. The mini-synopsis should demonstrate the stakes, character motivation, and basic plot of your book. Showing the narrative voice of your book in the query is important, but staying formal and respectful is also crucial.

Mentioning why you chose the particular agent and what you know about their work is recommended in the first paragraph of the query letter. Researching the agent and their preferences is essential before writing a query letter. Agents often have assistants or interns to help them sift through hundreds to thousands of query letters, so making your letter stand out is key.

The author bio should demonstrate why you are the best person to write the book. Comparing your book to major titles is generally not recommended in a query letter. The goal of a query letter is to get the agent's attention with clarity, logic, and an engaging plot.

Mohr most frequently recommends literary agents like Donald Maass, Kristin Nelson, and Eric Smith for sending query letters. He also advises researching examples of query letters online, such as those found on websites and by searching "How to write a query letter" on Google.

Remember, trying to be an exception and deviating from the standard three paragraph, 250-350 word format is not recommended. A query letter should be one page long and should be concise yet informative.

Michael's fiction has been published in several literary magazines, and his writing/editing website and blog can be found at http://www.michaelmohrwriter.com. With these tips in mind, you're well on your way to crafting a compelling query letter that could open doors in the literary world.