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The E-Query
By Susanna Carr © 2003
The
query letter is an important marketing tool for every writer.
It’s supposed to sell you and sell your idea to agents and
editors. It conveys your enthusiasm and makes the excitement contagious.
It must be business-like but it must also show your distinctive
voice. When you think about it, those are daunting tasks for one
letter!
While
an email query doesn’t faithfully follow the structure of
the print version, it still must be professional. Many writers
aren’t using this powerful form of communication to its full
potential. In fact, quite a few writers dash one off and click
the send icon without realizing that they are destroying the perfect
opportunity to make a good first impression.
What
is the anatomy of a professional e-query?
-
Read
the guidelines instructions posted on the publisher’s
website. Follow it to the best of your ability (more on this
later).
-
Fill
in the subject line. If the publisher didn’t say what
to type in, try to be specific. If that is not possible, key
in ‘Short Story Submission – TITLE OF YOUR STORY’.
Do not fill in the field with ‘story’ (is the email
a reader feedback or a submission?), ‘submissions!!’
(exclamations show amateurish status), or ‘hi’ (auto-delete
for a lot of editors).
-
Find
out the editor’s name. It usually can be found in the
publication or on the publisher’s website. If the search
proves fruitless, find out the title of the editor. It can range
from Fiction Editor to Acquisition Editrix. Finding the exact
title will show that you are familiar with the publication.
If all else fails, use the salutation ‘Dear Editor’.
Don’t write a query letter without one. (Or worse, write
one that says, “Hey,” or “I can’t remember
your name.” Yes, I’ve seen query letters like that
and they didn’t leave a good impression.)
-
The
first paragraph should state what you are submitting (a
business article, a book review, a bawdy limerick), the title,
the word count, and what you are submitting it for (what site,
what magazine, what anthology). If you could give a simple phrase
on the tone and mood of the manuscript (a lighthearted caper
or a dark, mysterious thriller), that helps the editor.
-
The
second paragraph is for longer manuscripts like novellas
and novels. Describe the high points of the story in twenty-five
words or less. This isn’t a golden rule, but it gives you
an idea on how brief you must be. Brief and enthusiastic. This
is the time to really sell your idea.
-
The
last paragraph is the time to sell yourself. Don’t
add all of your credentials, but include the ones that are related
to the manuscript you are submitting. Without bragging, show
why you are the best person to write this story or article.
-
Have
one sentence at the end to offer the manuscript. This is
the time to mention that it’s either available for request,
within the body of the email, or attached to the email. Give
them the email address where you can be contacted and thank
them for the time.
-
Sign
your name (pen, legal or both is really up to you). You
can also add your professional website URL underneath, but I
don’t recommend adding your lengthy signature line because
that information was already offered in the last paragraph of
your query.
Some
editors like to see the date typed into the email. I think this
is superfluous since emails are dated, but if they are insistent
about that in the submission guidelines, go with it. However,
I don’t believe a writer has to give all of her personal
information because it’s requested. I’ve come across
a few editors who not only want the author’s full legal name,
but also the postal address, phone number, fax number, etc. with
every query. That is asking for way too much information about
someone who is just submitting a proposal. If you feel the same
way as I do, tell the editors that the information is available
upon request and give them the information only when they need
it. They already have your email address and if they truly need
your fax number, they’ll email you for it. If they need your
social security number, a contract should be physically attached
to that request.
Bottom
line: give them all the pertinent information. Not too little
or too much. Sell your idea and sell yourself. Show your knowledge
in their publication and in your work.
And
do it all within one page.
| Susanna
Carr writes sexy romances for Kensington Brava. Visit
her website at www.susannacarr.com for more articles
and resource recommendations. |
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