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Query Letters
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A query letter to an agent or
an editor should never be longer than one page
in length.
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12 point size font Times New Roman should
be used.
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Well written, energetic, professional. Don't make this a fifth grade book report filled with boring bouts of, "Then they did this, and then said that." State who the characters are, what the basic plot is--including what is at stake, and a very brief closure.
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State publishing credentials.
If you have none, don't panic, but don't include a list of your hobbies either just to try to fill up space. If the hobbies do not directly relate to your manuscript, then the fact that you go snorkeling with your cat is not relevant--weird, but not relevant.
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A summary of your written piece
that you are trying to sell. Summary is the key
word here since anything over three paragraphs is likely
to get pitched to the trash instead of an editor.
The trick in this, is detailing your idea in 2 to 3 paragraphs
while proving you are talented enough to deliver what
you promise.
Don’t include an entire manuscript, but usually
2 or 3 chapters is ok to let them sample your work, but be smart and do your research. FOLLOW THEIR INSTRUCTIONS! If they say send thirty pages, don't send fifty. If they say query letter only, don't include a synopsis. If they say no attachments, then seriously--no attachments.
Always remember to make the first of anything you write
gripping. In a short story you only get two or three
paragraphs and a novel only gets two or three pages to
prove to an editor that they should consider you.
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