"Some 50% of queries are rejected on reading the first sentence only.  Another 40% are rejected on reading just the first paragraph." 
- Panel of agents and publishers, Santa Barbara Writer's Conference, 1997.- 

Many in publishing consider a query nearly as important as the writing it is offering. 

Definition: A query is a one-page letter (rarely longer) that presents a very punchy, attention-getting sales pitch, sent to an editor, agent, or publisher. 

Purpose of a query: to convince the addressee to publish your book, article, or such. (Strictly speaking "query letter" is redundant.) 

Tips: 

                

1.            Probably the best place to start developing skill in writing queries is to study How to Write Irresistible Query Letters, by Lisa Collier Cool, published by Writer's Digest Books.

2.                  For a sample of a successful query, see below. 

3.                  A query should be addressed to a specific individual, not to "Editor" or some other such general title. 

4.                  To find the name of the appropriate person: 

4.1.           Consult the masthead (listing of staffers) of the current edition of the publication. 

4.2.           Study the current edition of the book Writer's Market.  That yearly publication presents details about thousands of markets hunting for mss. It tells writers what kinds of materials are bought, how much is paid, addresses, names, and other specifics.  Note: job assignments in publishing change often, so be sure you are addressing your query to the person who is currently in the position: 

4.3.           Mail a request, with a SASE (Self Addressed Stamped Envelope)---a legal sized envelope---to the publication, asking for the name of the current editor, and for a copy of the writer's guidelines. And/or:  4.4.           Do as many professional writers do to be positive they are sending their queries to the correct person: phone the publications' editorial offices and ask for the name of the current editor, acquisition editor, or such. 

5.                  The opening sentence of a query should be as strong an attention-getter as you can write. That opening sentence is usually the opening sentence of the work you are offering.  Don't write a first sentence to a query with a trite line such as, "I am wondering if you would be interested in publishing the book that I am writing that is about . . ."  That's almost sure to get you an instant reject. Reason: editors, agents, publishers, know that's why you are sending a query to them. Rather, get right to the point, to your attention-getting opener. 

6.                  The opening paragraph of a query is often the opening paragraph of the work you are offering. 

7.                  Typically that paragraph is just one, to perhaps four, sentences long; rarely longer. 

8.                  An effective query next presents, usually, a summary of the content, highlights, features, or distinctive qualities of the proposed work. If appropriate, bullet key points---that is, before each point put an asterisk, triangle, star, block, etc. ---to add emphasis. 

9.                  In my queries, the following paragraph states why the publication's readers will be interested in the proposed work. 

10.             Next I state why I'm qualified to write on the subject---I've experienced it,  researched it, observed it, or such. I include one or two specifics. 

11.             The next paragraph typically presents a brief of the writer's published credits.  If you have no previously published writing, just omit this point.  (I don't include that paragraph in my queries because my letterhead presents a listing of my major published works; that gives me more space in the query for other points. You may find it helpful to prepare your own letterhead.) 

12.             Somewhere in my queries I usually include a phrase or sentence that shows the editor I have studied her/his magazine or line of books. 

Example: "This proposed article will be a good follow-up to the article in your May edition about . . ." 

13.             My closing paragraph usually presents these three sentences: 

"Interested? If so, please phone me---collect is fine---so we can discuss specifics. Or, please return the accompanying SAS postcard." 

Many editors phone me; none has ever phoned collect. But I think that line shows a professional approach---a willingness to spend money to make money. 

14.       An SAS postcard is, of course, a Self Addressed, Stamped postcard. 

15.       On the message side of that postcard I type—for me, typing is easier than working a postcard through my word processor: 

"Re your proposed (here I type in the name of my article or book).

"(Name of publisher) would like to see the complete manuscript for serious consideration for publication. 

"Or:" (then I leave about two inches blank on the card.)

At the bottom of the card, I type: 
           "Date__________   By ________________ Title_________"

16.       Being a letter, a query should be single spaced (lined)--not double spaced as an ms (manuscript). 

17.       I suggest writers send simultaneous submissions---sending material to a dozen or so dozen or so publishers, etc., at the same time.   For more information about simultaneous submissions, see accompanying article with that title. 

In summary: As you write your queries, keep in mind the advice of James Montgomery, 18th century Scottish poet: 

"Hope against hope, and ask till Ye receive."

Sample Successful Query

The following query brought me an "Author's Agreement" with an offer of a payment well worth the time the article took to write. 

The article was published in the October 1996 edition of Monitoring Times. 
 

Rachel Baughn 
Editor, Monitoring Times
POB 98 
7540 Hwy 64 West 
Brasstown, NC 28902 

 Dear Ms Baughn: 

You may think that Marconi invented radio, but don't try to tell that to folks in Murray, Kentucky. 

There, on the campus of Murray State University, is a memorial naming Nathan B. Stubblefield as the actual inventor of radio. 

And there are other significant reminders of his achievements: 

	In front of Stubblefield's home, and on the side of the state highway through town, there are additional monuments honoring him for inventing radio.
	The first broadcast station in Murray is still operating with its original call, WNBS---letters selected to honor Nathan B. Stubblefield.
	On April 29, 1991, Kentucky Governor Wallace G. Wilkinson issued a proclamation stating that ". . . Stubblefield is the true inventor of radio and should be so recognized internationally as such . . . "

The facts behind those claims are impressive: 

	Stubblefield patented his equipment in 1888---8 years before Marconi.
	Before Marconi applied for a patent, Stubblefield had demonstrated his equipment to audiences that included a judge, town officials, and other reliable observers.
	Prior to Marconi's patent, Stubblefield had shown his gear in operation in Washington, D.C.
	Articles about Stubblefield's demonstrations were published in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and other major newspapers.

Your readers would be interested in learning about this little-known pioneer electronic genius whose invention was the center---briefly---of a $5 million company. Not many years later he died of starvation, alone, collapsed on the dirt-floor of his remote shack. 

I write with authority: I've researched Stubblefield's life, interviewed historians, collected data from many sources. 

I write with experience: besides my many publications, I am an amateur radio operator, so I write the language of your readers. 

The manuscript would be about 1,500 words. I will provide good historic photos. 

Interested? If so, please phone me---collect is fine---or return the accompanying SAS postcard. 

                          Sincerely, 

 

In Sum: Note the words of Miguel de Cervantes, 16th century Spanish novelist: 

"By a small sample we may judge of the whole piece."

Leon Fletcher, author of this article, is:

v     The most published author writing about speech since Dale Carnegie.
Author of How to Speak Like a Pro, Ballantine trade & mass market editions;

	14 other published books on self-enhancement, ETV, et al;
	800+ articles published in Writer's Digest, TV Guide, Weekend, Sea, Sail, World Digest, Honolulu, Writing for Money, Monitoring Times, et al;
	100+ online articles posted in 13 sites.
	Basic college textbook, How to Design & Deliver Speeches, now in 6th edition, used in hundreds of colleges & universities; next, 7th, edition scheduled by Longman for publication in 2001.
	Emeritus Professor of Speech, Monterey Peninsula College.
	Online volunteer columnist & mentor for writers.