Writers can query both written and unwritten material; it can be used to sell an idea for a book that an author will write if contracted by the publisher, but most commonly is used to sell a finished written manuscript.
It's the first impression someone who may buy your work gets of your MS, and it's critical. You don't get to query again with that person or company if they reject (although there are extenuating circumstances). It may also lead to an agent or publisher requesting to see your actual MS, or a partial example of it like the first three chapters or so. That's why this is such a big deal...if you screw it up, you won't make a sale. Even though they're not long, query letters can be hard to write, and have to be done right. So, I have this little book to help me. I also have a good support network of writers to ask to critique my query, because there's no better way to get good advice than from people who have done it before.
Most querying is done online via email these days. That's probably better; the response time can be quicker, and there's less of the dreaded waiting game. It's also more environmentally friendly...if they request a partial or full MS copy, it's just a click away instead of an hour at the photocopier and post office.
There's no way around querying...you just can't avoid it. So you just do the best you can, and hope you market your book in the best way possible.
Have you queried?
Great post! I've written precisely one query in my career, but it was the one that landed an agent - I know that is extremely rare!
ReplyDeleteI used the Writer's Guide to Query Letters as a reference as well - wonderful book. I like the bad examples, as we as the good ones they provide. Happy A to Z-ing!
Thank you! I know I'll have that book dog-eared and marked up by the end of my first query try. I'm glad you had good luck with it!
DeleteGreat word for the day. Not currently querying anything right now but always looking for tips when I get to that point in the process.
ReplyDeleteMe too! I try to find any articles on it that I can. I'm glad you liked it!
DeleteI've written many queries and, even after having some of my short works published, I still dislike them. It's so hard to give an adequate picture of yourself and your writing in such a confined space. It's like describing how someone looks and trying to get an accurate feel for who they are. Doesn't work out so well.
ReplyDeleteBut maybe I'm just exhausted from my recent bout of rejections. ;)
Love to know what you think of the book when you're finished with it!
Jessica
A to Z Blogger & SF/Fantasy Writer @ Visions of Other Worlds
That's what I'm afraid of...it's so hard to smoosh all of that information in a quick letter, not to mention making it sound super-appealing to whoever you sent it to. Ugh!
DeleteHi Sarah, it's nice to meet you. I'm a new follower via the A to Z. I also did my Q post on Queries. I had a successful run at it and offer a query formula that landed me a book deal, in case your interested. I did query a few agents over a 3 month period last year, but I also queried a publisher and found success that way. My publisher loves romance novels, though I write adult psychological thrillers myself.
ReplyDeleteI agree, queries are a pain in the butt. I became obsessed with writing the perfect one and submitted all over the place for sprucing up. Matthew MacNish's blog, The Quintessentially Questionable Query Experiment is a great place for feedback. He's awesome, as are his followers.
I wish you all the luck in the world with your query!
Thank you, Nancy! I'll have to check it out...I'll take all the help I can get at this point. Thank you for the advice and pointers! :-)
DeleteDon't get me started on the ancient evil art of the query letter. I hate them. I love them. I love to hate them. I have a lot of long stories you definitely don't want to hear.
ReplyDeleteI'll be glad to help you next month, Sarah, but for now (on top of the links I emailed you), Google Elana Johnson's ebook: From the Query to the Call. It was free once upon a time, but even if it's a few dollars now, it's totally worth it.
Also, I'm following your blog now, so I look forward to getting to know you better.
Thank you, Matt! I'm not looking forward to it, but they're a necessary evil.
DeleteI searched for the book you recommended, and I can't find it anywhere! If you know of somewhere to get it, please let me know. Amazon and B&N didn't have it.