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28 thoughts on “Anatomy of a Query Letter”
This whole thing about queries is really good.
I learned much in a short time; you delivered what I needed. And so, Cynthea, I love you…no need to reply, just, thanks.
Oh my, a profession of love! Thank you. I appreciate the praise.
Thanks! I was debating whether I should query an editor/agent for my children’s book and you’ve inspired me to forge ahead.
I’m glad you found the article inspiring. Good luck with your query!
Hi,
I have to say, yet more great advice.
I do have one thing preying on my mind. From what I read to children I have contact with, one of my most popular does have a dancing elephant in it! I know editors take a different opinion.
I’m onto writing my 21st story and still debating in my mind whether I should continue writing. Many of the children I read to do seem to enjoy the interaction I write of especially when I tell this story. It is very physically descriptive. Many of my others take the same format. One favourite is a pig who creates a new kind of chocolate! (it doesn’t infringe on Charlie & the chocolate factory). I type it up and wrap it around my sweets. Very popular amongst adults who eat the chocolate and tell the story to their kids!
Should I submit them or forget it altogether? It won’t stop me writing, but I am a little disheartened at the moment. Sorry to dump it on you!
Thanks,
Fiona
Hi Fiona, you have to keep honing your stories, and put stuff aside to come back to them later when you are ready. Everyone gets disheartened in this biz. You will feel recharged again when you hit upon a new idea for your work or start a new story altogether.
Also keep in mind, kids are not the people who acquire the books. While the general public may like your stories, you have to figure out what has appealed to publishers in the past. To do that, study the stuff that has been published recently and examine the style of writing, the length, the picturability, etc. and compare it to your own text. Sometimes it’s just a matter of structure or length or snappiness in the writing.
I find this often helps me when I’m wondering what I’m doing wrong.
Keep at it, Fiona!
Hi Cynthea,
I’ve written a 750 word picture book that I feel is ready for submission. My question to you is this — A large part of the movement of the story takes place subtly (and not so subtly) in the background illustrations. As I am not an illustrator, I have added possible illustration notes after each page of text. Is this considered acceptable? If so, how do I format those notes?
Most sincerely,
Jean
Hi Jean, if the notes are absolutely critical to the comprehension of the story, I have explained how to do illustration notes at the end of this article. Hope that helps!
Thank you so much for this. I was suffering from severe paralysis on getting my query sent out because I couldn’t determine how to present myself in the letter. You have given me a great start. Many blessings upon you for your help!
Hello Cynthea,
I am an aspiring author with goals to get my young adult stories published. I recently began a collaboration with an illustrator for a children’s picture book, and this article you have written is very informative. I am working on the query letter, and will start sending it out shortly. Thank you for providing this helpful information.
Sincerely,
Anthony
I started a blog a few days ago and it just hit me that I should aim higher. Thank you for providing this information!
Thanks for this article! However, I’m unsure if I should submit a coverletter with an unsolicited PB MS? Some advice I’ve read suggests that an author should always submit a CL because it is more professional. Cynthea, what’s your opinion?
If you are sending an unsolicited pb ms, include a letter. That’s my vote. Sending an unsolicited ms without a letter of some sort is a bit odd and um … naked. There is key info being communicated in that letter (see above) that many editors would like to know.
Hi Cynthea,
Thank you for the information, which I am finding invaluable. I would like to know is a query the same as a coverletter? Also, I see on this and other writing websites that editors seem to be the one to target but I get conflicting information about that, namely that you cannot even approach an editor without having an agent. From what I understand the agent will then approach editors/publishers on your behalf. I have written a picture book and have been querying agents. I apologize if this info is elsewhere on your site. I came straight to this page first!
Thanks,
Lisa
It depends upon whom you talk to. There is no standard language that everyone goes by. Often agents will say cover letter when they mean query or vice versa. Instead, focus on what you’re trying to achieve with your communication. If an editor has requested a full or partial manuscript from a query letter you’ve sent(as defined by this web site), your response should include what they requested with only “cover” letter (see anatomy of a cover letter article, as defined by this web site) instead of the same query letter again.
If it’s the first contact with an editor or agent, often a letter (whether you call it a cover or a query) that contains a pitch of some sort is what you send (on my web site, I call this type of letter a “query letter.” Most people do call letters with pitches in them query letters, but not always. Don’t get stuck on the terminology. Just do what makes sense, given the context.
Hope that answers your questions. Good luck!
Dear Cynthea,
I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your advice to so many of us who are trying to become authors. If I may, I have a question or two that you may or may not have come upon in the past. I am disabled, I cannot travel far, and I cannot drive anymore. Will this hurt my chances of being a successful author? I cannot attend workshops, or conventions. Until such time that medical technology advances and it will, I am temporarily permitted to travel in very small areas. Because of my situation I don’t have the funds available to self-publish or use any service other than agents who do not charge unless they are able to sell my manuscripts and receive their commissions. Do you have any advice?
with much gratitude,
Jeffrey
Disability has no impact on your ability to become a successful author. It’s always always always, the quality of your story (and whether publishers want to buy that story) that matters. You could be paralyzed from the neck down and it wouldn’t matter. Have only one finger to type and it wouldn’t matter. Be unable to speak, hear or see, and it wouldn’t matter.
So long as you can get a great story out of your brain and onto paper, and they want to buy that great story. Well… that’s all you need.
Also, don’t feel tempted to explain yourself or disability to others when pitching your story if it has no bearing on the story itself. Your disability does not matter. Unless of course, you have written about disability and you want to say you are disabled yourself and therefore can write on this subject from personal experience. Perhaps, that is one case where you might make the exception, but even then, that’s a personal choice for you to make.
Take heart. You can be just as successful as the next author – without the ability to speak, travel, etc. Mark my words. I know plenty of authors who do very little or nothing at all in these areas, and do quite well for themselves. It’s the stories that count!
Cynthea
Thank you for your very informative site. I have a question about a query I sent four months ago. I have never heard a word back and I am wondering if it is okay to contact them again. I know that is done sometimes when a manuscript is sent. Thank you for your time.
Karen
Hi Cynthea,
I have a set of PB manuscripts I want to query together. Should I spend a different pararaph pitching each one in my query, or should I not go about it that way? How do I format this?
Megan
Hi Cynthea,
I write children’s songs. I working in preschools.(Been at it for 20 years). I’ve self published a children’s CD sold on CD Baby. I believe these tunes can be easily adapted to picture books. Can you advise the best way to query about interest to publishers? Thanks for your advice in advance. Trish
In general, you should only include one picture book per query at a time, unless the editor has indicated to you directly (via a conference or online) that multiple submissions are acceptable.
Your best bet would be to write your song as a children’s book manuscript (put the words in manuscript format) and revise it so it suit the picture book format well. Without having seen the words, it’s hard for me to know if the songs themselves would indeed be well-suited for a picture book format, but before you approach a publisher, put the work in manuscript form, read up everything you can about rhyming picture books (if your songs rhyme), writing picture books, etc. Read picture books that are song-based. Like Wheels on the Bus, etc, and be prepared to revise your song to develop a stronger picture book if the current text falls short.
Hope that answers your question!
All best,
Cynthea
Thank you VERY MUCH! Your comments are awesome and right on the mark. Great way to narrow down how I am going to proceed. Do you recommend I find an Agent or would you recommend I query a publisher who already has published books that are song based like “The Wheels On The Bus”. In my mind I actually see the book being a picture book/CD where both elements (music and words) are presented together. Since in the world of preschools where I operate, they stress how preschool kids are”multiple intelligence” learners, I would enjoy creating a book with both – however, I don’t know if that would be narrowing down the possibilities of interested publishers because there might be too many “moving parts” to create it…. I don’t know. It’s fun to dream!
Again, thank you. This has been very exciting to pursue!
Trish
Thank you Cynthea, very interesting!
I am an aspiring writer of children’s stories, and young adult/adult fiction.
very informative
Joy
First, thanks! I’ve been nagging everyone for a couple of weeks, because I don’t know how to write a query and looking at successful queries wasn’t doing it for me.
I’m a first time novel writer, and my novel is MG. It’s also a series. The first stands alone, but when do I mention “series” to an agent? In the query or later? If later, how much later?
If your book stands alone but you feel you would ONLY sell it as a series, then say something in the query letter like, X is written as a stand-alone; however, I envision this as the first book of a series. WARNING: This could result in a rejection or make you sound amateurish. But if you have to sell it as a series; absolutely HAVE to, then you should be upfront about it.
If this were me though, I would not bet on anything having series potential and simply make no mention of any series. Series potential is usually determined by the publisher buying your manuscript in the end, and a lot of that has to do with the performance of the first book once published.
In other words, I wouldn’t try to control something that is out of your control. The best odds are to just let the first book stand for itself.
I hope this isn’t a silly question – do I need to have a book completed or is it acceptable to send a query letter about an idea? Also, how do I protect my idea during the process of trying to sell it?
Hi- I was wondering if you could critique my query letter if I e-mailed it to you. I would appreciate it. Please let me know either way. Thank you.
Loading ...
This whole thing about queries is really good.
I learned much in a short time; you delivered what I needed. And so, Cynthea, I love you…no need to reply, just, thanks.
Oh my, a profession of love! Thank you. I appreciate the praise.
Thanks! I was debating whether I should query an editor/agent for my children’s book and you’ve inspired me to forge ahead.
I’m glad you found the article inspiring. Good luck with your query!
Hi,
I have to say, yet more great advice.
I do have one thing preying on my mind. From what I read to children I have contact with, one of my most popular does have a dancing elephant in it! I know editors take a different opinion.
I’m onto writing my 21st story and still debating in my mind whether I should continue writing. Many of the children I read to do seem to enjoy the interaction I write of especially when I tell this story. It is very physically descriptive. Many of my others take the same format. One favourite is a pig who creates a new kind of chocolate! (it doesn’t infringe on Charlie & the chocolate factory). I type it up and wrap it around my sweets. Very popular amongst adults who eat the chocolate and tell the story to their kids!
Should I submit them or forget it altogether? It won’t stop me writing, but I am a little disheartened at the moment. Sorry to dump it on you!
Thanks,
Fiona
Hi Fiona, you have to keep honing your stories, and put stuff aside to come back to them later when you are ready. Everyone gets disheartened in this biz. You will feel recharged again when you hit upon a new idea for your work or start a new story altogether.
Also keep in mind, kids are not the people who acquire the books. While the general public may like your stories, you have to figure out what has appealed to publishers in the past. To do that, study the stuff that has been published recently and examine the style of writing, the length, the picturability, etc. and compare it to your own text. Sometimes it’s just a matter of structure or length or snappiness in the writing.
I find this often helps me when I’m wondering what I’m doing wrong.
Keep at it, Fiona!
Hi Cynthea,
I’ve written a 750 word picture book that I feel is ready for submission. My question to you is this — A large part of the movement of the story takes place subtly (and not so subtly) in the background illustrations. As I am not an illustrator, I have added possible illustration notes after each page of text. Is this considered acceptable? If so, how do I format those notes?
Most sincerely,
Jean
Hi Jean, if the notes are absolutely critical to the comprehension of the story, I have explained how to do illustration notes at the end of this article. Hope that helps!
http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/2007/08/30/264/q-i-am-writing-a-picture-book-should-i-include-art-specs-for-each-page/
Thank you so much for this. I was suffering from severe paralysis on getting my query sent out because I couldn’t determine how to present myself in the letter. You have given me a great start. Many blessings upon you for your help!
Hello Cynthea,
I am an aspiring author with goals to get my young adult stories published. I recently began a collaboration with an illustrator for a children’s picture book, and this article you have written is very informative. I am working on the query letter, and will start sending it out shortly. Thank you for providing this helpful information.
Sincerely,
Anthony
I started a blog a few days ago and it just hit me that I should aim higher. Thank you for providing this information!
Thanks for this article! However, I’m unsure if I should submit a coverletter with an unsolicited PB MS? Some advice I’ve read suggests that an author should always submit a CL because it is more professional. Cynthea, what’s your opinion?
If you are sending an unsolicited pb ms, include a letter. That’s my vote. Sending an unsolicited ms without a letter of some sort is a bit odd and um … naked. There is key info being communicated in that letter (see above) that many editors would like to know.
Hi Cynthea,
Thank you for the information, which I am finding invaluable. I would like to know is a query the same as a coverletter? Also, I see on this and other writing websites that editors seem to be the one to target but I get conflicting information about that, namely that you cannot even approach an editor without having an agent. From what I understand the agent will then approach editors/publishers on your behalf. I have written a picture book and have been querying agents. I apologize if this info is elsewhere on your site. I came straight to this page first!
Thanks,
Lisa
It depends upon whom you talk to. There is no standard language that everyone goes by. Often agents will say cover letter when they mean query or vice versa. Instead, focus on what you’re trying to achieve with your communication. If an editor has requested a full or partial manuscript from a query letter you’ve sent(as defined by this web site), your response should include what they requested with only “cover” letter (see anatomy of a cover letter article, as defined by this web site) instead of the same query letter again.
If it’s the first contact with an editor or agent, often a letter (whether you call it a cover or a query) that contains a pitch of some sort is what you send (on my web site, I call this type of letter a “query letter.” Most people do call letters with pitches in them query letters, but not always. Don’t get stuck on the terminology. Just do what makes sense, given the context.
Hope that answers your questions. Good luck!
Dear Cynthea,
I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your advice to so many of us who are trying to become authors. If I may, I have a question or two that you may or may not have come upon in the past. I am disabled, I cannot travel far, and I cannot drive anymore. Will this hurt my chances of being a successful author? I cannot attend workshops, or conventions. Until such time that medical technology advances and it will, I am temporarily permitted to travel in very small areas. Because of my situation I don’t have the funds available to self-publish or use any service other than agents who do not charge unless they are able to sell my manuscripts and receive their commissions. Do you have any advice?
with much gratitude,
Jeffrey
Disability has no impact on your ability to become a successful author. It’s always always always, the quality of your story (and whether publishers want to buy that story) that matters. You could be paralyzed from the neck down and it wouldn’t matter. Have only one finger to type and it wouldn’t matter. Be unable to speak, hear or see, and it wouldn’t matter.
So long as you can get a great story out of your brain and onto paper, and they want to buy that great story. Well… that’s all you need.
Also, don’t feel tempted to explain yourself or disability to others when pitching your story if it has no bearing on the story itself. Your disability does not matter. Unless of course, you have written about disability and you want to say you are disabled yourself and therefore can write on this subject from personal experience. Perhaps, that is one case where you might make the exception, but even then, that’s a personal choice for you to make.
Take heart. You can be just as successful as the next author – without the ability to speak, travel, etc. Mark my words. I know plenty of authors who do very little or nothing at all in these areas, and do quite well for themselves. It’s the stories that count!
Cynthea
Thank you for your very informative site. I have a question about a query I sent four months ago. I have never heard a word back and I am wondering if it is okay to contact them again. I know that is done sometimes when a manuscript is sent. Thank you for your time.
Karen
Hi Cynthea,
I have a set of PB manuscripts I want to query together. Should I spend a different pararaph pitching each one in my query, or should I not go about it that way? How do I format this?
Megan
Hi Cynthea,
I write children’s songs. I working in preschools.(Been at it for 20 years). I’ve self published a children’s CD sold on CD Baby. I believe these tunes can be easily adapted to picture books. Can you advise the best way to query about interest to publishers? Thanks for your advice in advance. Trish
In general, you should only include one picture book per query at a time, unless the editor has indicated to you directly (via a conference or online) that multiple submissions are acceptable.
Your best bet would be to write your song as a children’s book manuscript (put the words in manuscript format) and revise it so it suit the picture book format well. Without having seen the words, it’s hard for me to know if the songs themselves would indeed be well-suited for a picture book format, but before you approach a publisher, put the work in manuscript form, read up everything you can about rhyming picture books (if your songs rhyme), writing picture books, etc. Read picture books that are song-based. Like Wheels on the Bus, etc, and be prepared to revise your song to develop a stronger picture book if the current text falls short.
Hope that answers your question!
All best,
Cynthea
Thank you VERY MUCH! Your comments are awesome and right on the mark. Great way to narrow down how I am going to proceed. Do you recommend I find an Agent or would you recommend I query a publisher who already has published books that are song based like “The Wheels On The Bus”. In my mind I actually see the book being a picture book/CD where both elements (music and words) are presented together. Since in the world of preschools where I operate, they stress how preschool kids are”multiple intelligence” learners, I would enjoy creating a book with both – however, I don’t know if that would be narrowing down the possibilities of interested publishers because there might be too many “moving parts” to create it…. I don’t know. It’s fun to dream!
Again, thank you. This has been very exciting to pursue!
Trish
Thank you Cynthea, very interesting!
I am an aspiring writer of children’s stories, and young adult/adult fiction.
very informative
Joy
First, thanks! I’ve been nagging everyone for a couple of weeks, because I don’t know how to write a query and looking at successful queries wasn’t doing it for me.
I’m a first time novel writer, and my novel is MG. It’s also a series. The first stands alone, but when do I mention “series” to an agent? In the query or later? If later, how much later?
If your book stands alone but you feel you would ONLY sell it as a series, then say something in the query letter like, X is written as a stand-alone; however, I envision this as the first book of a series. WARNING: This could result in a rejection or make you sound amateurish. But if you have to sell it as a series; absolutely HAVE to, then you should be upfront about it.
If this were me though, I would not bet on anything having series potential and simply make no mention of any series. Series potential is usually determined by the publisher buying your manuscript in the end, and a lot of that has to do with the performance of the first book once published.
In other words, I wouldn’t try to control something that is out of your control. The best odds are to just let the first book stand for itself.
I hope this isn’t a silly question – do I need to have a book completed or is it acceptable to send a query letter about an idea? Also, how do I protect my idea during the process of trying to sell it?
Hi- I was wondering if you could critique my query letter if I e-mailed it to you. I would appreciate it. Please let me know either way. Thank you.