Writing query letters

If injustices happen in the writing world, I personally think that at least 90% of them have to do with query letters—writing query letters, depending on query letters, or just the fact that they exist at all. Professors and classroom teachers will gladly tell you the basics that haven’t worked for them either—1 inch margins, white paper with brightness of 100, standard font, personal information in the top left corner, research and mention the publishing house’s interests and policies, etc.

And of course, there are always the "don’ts"—don’t go over one page, don’t beg, don’t send your manuscript until they request it, don’t try to be clever or do something unique like adding illustrations or handmade doodles, no tear drops or food stains on the page, don’t bad-talk your abilities, etc. Don’t, don’t, don’t!

But let’s take a realistic look at this. So you’ve just spent the last ten months working every kink and flaw out of your manuscript which now boarders more closely on perfection than Michael Jordan shooting hoops, and you’re proud of it, as well you should be. It has a unique idea you’re just sure will hit the big time. So you spend all of ten minutes, or even ten days, on your query letter, knowing that months, or even years worth of work will now be represented by whatever you can fit on one page. Query letters not your thing? But writing is? Tough!

Your manuscript, worth more than gold, will now be judged completely off its query letter, which, following the "do’s" of conformity, and the "don’ts" of originality, will blend in seamlessly with the thousands of other query letters pilling up in virtually every editor’s office. Inspiring, isn’t it? (The point is, you need more than just well put words on the page…most of the time, because the evaluation system isn’t fair.)

It’s like getting all the greatest long-distance runners and awarding the golden prize to whoever can hold their breath the longest. But why do I need to be telling you that? If you were one of the three people this year who got signed using query letters, you certainly wouldn’t be reading this!

So what is the answer, then? Connections. Establishing contacts eliminates the need to shoot in the dark. You can then send your query, or future manuscript proposal, with a much higher return rate. First time authors need a claim to fame, or at least authenticity. Second time authors too. Third time authors? They already have enough claim, and more importantly, connections.

My advice is, get something to show for yourself that will add weight to your query letter. You want it to slam the editor’s hand down, when he/she picks it up, and not let him/her get out from under it until he/she’s agreed and promised to contact you. For example, get a website, get a blog, publish a few articles, put up your short stories or even long ones online for people to look at (the internet’s still free.) Better yet, get a book published, even if you have to do it through joint venture, or print on demand publishing.

The good news is, you can do it! Three people a year is more than none, and if you have something to show for yourself, then maybe they’ll look at the actual manuscript.