Writing a Query Letter That Gets Read

The query letter is a one-page document that must accomplish three things: introduce your book, establish your credibility, and make an agent want to read more. Most query letters fail at all three.

The Structure of a Strong Query

Opening hook. Begin with the most compelling element of your book — a striking premise, a compelling character situation, or a thematic question. Do not begin with a rhetorical question or a statement about the universality of your theme.

The pitch. Summarise your book in three to five sentences. Include the protagonist, the central conflict, and what is at stake. For fiction, include the genre and word count. For nonfiction, include the argument and the audience.

Your credentials. Include only credentials that are relevant: publication credits, relevant professional experience, or personal connection to the subject matter. If you have no relevant credentials, omit this section entirely.

The close. Thank the agent for their time and indicate that the full manuscript is available upon request.

Common Mistakes

The most common mistake is summarising the plot rather than pitching the story. A pitch answers the question: why should a reader care? A summary answers the question: what happens?

The second most common mistake is over-explaining. A query letter is not a synopsis. It is a sales document. Its job is to make the agent want to read more — not to tell them everything.