Your query letter can be a deal maker or a deal breaker. So, if your query letter just lies there, you've killed the sale immediately or your story or novel immediately. If you want that story -- your baby -- to be read, reach out of that query letter, grab the publisher, editor or literary agent by the neck and say, "Hey, you absolutely have to have this story!" Query letters that begin with "Hello, My name is. . ." have as much chance of selling as vacation trips to Baghdad. Remember, your query is like a r?sum?'s cover letter, and if you're in a competitive industry, that cover will sell you far more than the resume will. So, you have to grab the reader with your first sentence. To do this, make him believe that he desperately needs what you're selling. Following are a few tips on how to do it.
First, begin by saying why your story will be easy to sell. Publishers have to sell books, so this is their first priority. Remember, though, you have to do it gracefully. Don't come off sounding arrogant. When I was selling my novel, The League, I started my query with I have a novel that has a target audience of over 15 millions rabid fans. This audience is people who play fantasy football, but I didn't reveal this until a few sentences into the letter. I wanted to pull the publisher or editor in, the same way I lead my suspense reader forward in my novel (throw out something fantastic, then slow down and build to your next exciting piece). Once I get to the part about how every fantasy football fan will race to buy my book, I follow up by saying that it is the first-ever published work with a plot that surrounds this exciting game. I also throw in that in addition to these 15 million fans, all sports and suspense fans will want to read it because of how unique it is.
Next, toss in a few key parts of your synopsis, reminding the reader that the entire synopsis is included or attached, if you're e-mailing your query, which is almost always acceptable today. Note, what you decide to include should be hot, making the reader say, Wow.
Finally, finish your query by telling the person how willing you are to be involved in the promotion of your story. Don't oversell; just tell her that you will do whatever it takes to make your book successful. When signing, don't forget a polite closing and all of your contact information. Remember, no matter how good your story and your query are, it's still a game of sales. Send out dozens of queries at a time. It won't be long before people start asking for your story or novel.
Mark Barnes is the author of the new novel, The League, the first work of fiction, based on fantasy football. He is also an investment real estate and home loan finance expert. Learn more about his suspense thriller at http://www.sportsnovels.com. Get his free mortgage finance course at http://www.sportsnovels.com
professional maid services Park Ridge ..Here's something from my mailbag. "Dear Michael, do you need... Read More
It's a good idea to use TextPad because all opt-in... Read More
When one population in one century survived five wars, two... Read More
(This excerpt is taken from my new writing workshop Writing... Read More
With the expansion and diversion of businesses, manufacturers, and even... Read More
The urge to write fiction seems God given for some,... Read More
For many years, I've been a tutor for students undertaking... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?The writer, who doesn't have the time... Read More
To keep it simple and basic: Jack Finney's Invasion of... Read More
Have you ever started a creative writing project with great... Read More
Summer's here and the time is write for dancing in... Read More
A well-punctuated approach letter may make the difference between acceptance... Read More
There is an image most people carry of the artist... Read More
What is a freelance grant writer? These individuals have a... Read More
If you're getting rejections from your submissions, please don't quit... Read More
Have you been guilty of procrastinating on your book project,... Read More
Have you ever considered writing a book? If so, maybe... Read More
[When I was a nineteen-year-old high school student and budding... Read More
Screenwriting is a competitive trade. To distinguish yourself as a... Read More
A UK based freelance proofreader should be able to provide... Read More
The principle for writing good screenplays begins with good idea... Read More
Proofreading worksheets are a great tool to help individuals open... Read More
Effective screenwriting relies on the good understanding and use of... Read More
Before I became a teacher, I was a sports writer.... Read More
As an aspiring or an established entrepreneur, you are an... Read More
cleaning lady near Lincolnshire ..The rejection letter says: "Your story, on the surface, appears... Read More
Here are 3 journaling or diary ideas that can contribute... Read More
I've noticed a big shift away from traditional horror recently,... Read More
Last week I was having a quick browse on eBay... Read More
To keep it simple and basic: Jack Finney's Invasion of... Read More
Short Story Writing Tips -We've established what a title should... Read More
Wired Online has recently announced its plans to drop capitalization... Read More
Bookcoaching clients come to me at different stages of writing... Read More
When you sit down to write a steamy romance, a... Read More
Eight or nine times out of ten, picking up and... Read More
A good white paper is a paper that makes you... Read More
9 out of 10 professionals and small business owners have... Read More
By far, I have found that the lack of discipline... Read More
FERRETING OUT WORK You keep hearing that there's work out... Read More
Punctuation, when used creatively, is powerful. Note, however, that when... Read More
There is one key difference between reports and most other... Read More
Many of the most effective low-cost marketing strategies require writing.... Read More
Why would anyone want to write for trade journals? Aren't... Read More
I hate to admit this, but I rarely get an... Read More
With the expansion and diversion of businesses, manufacturers, and even... Read More
What is Sense of Place? It's the image of a... Read More
The Hottest Word on the WebDid you know marketing people... Read More
If your cash is running out fast and you have... Read More
During my 25-year career in a variety of professional positions... Read More
When I first started tracking the information preferences of people... Read More
Writing |