Query Tips from my Agent: #WordWednesday

If you’ve ever wanted to publish a book in the traditional way, one of the first things you must do, after writing and editing your manuscript, is to perfect your query letter. It took me about nine years to secure a literary agent, and I am biased in saying I have the best in the business. So, it’s not shocking that my agent, Jessica Schmeidler (founder of Golden Wheat Literary Agency), was game to give you dear readers three helpful hints to make your query letters shine. She’s kind of epic in that way.

So, without further adieu, here are three tips from my legendary agent on query letters. Huzzah!

Tip One:

When comparing your book to other books out there in your genre, make sure your book comps match your readership or fully explain why you're choosing comps that do not. Book comps help me see where your book will fit into today’s ever changing market. They give me a peek into where you see your books on the shelves and who will read them, so choose wisely.

Tip Two:

Keep your query letter to one page. That will sound obvious to a lot of writers, but it's amazing how many times I get a paragraph that's super informal and feels "thrown together," rather than an actual letter. If I choose to offer representation, we’ll be entering into a professional relationship together; act like a professional. If we end up being buddies that toss gifs at each other three times a day, great, but we're not at that point yet, so stick to professional as your first impression; it goes a long way. 

Tip Three:

Make sure the query is from you, the author, not your protagonist—and *especially* not from the POV (point of view) of your book's villain. I won't write a villain back. Period. That's an automatic “no” response from me. 

Closing Thoughts: (from me, Molly Shaffer)

Before you write a query letter to your dream agent, make sure you know exactly what they’re interested in. Do your research. Cyberstalk them, if necessary. Often, you get one shot with your book, so make that shot count.

If you’re interested in checking out my agency, or my amazing agent, stop right there. Get your own dang agent… just kidding. Well, sort of. *Wink wink* Click here to stalk, I mean research, her a bit.