Back
before I became an author (or at least a published author, this was
2009ish) I spent some time working in acquisitions at a small press. I
don’t think it’s any small coincidence that, even though I had been
writing and querying for years at that point, my first novel was picked
up a year later. It is a sad fact of life that being a good novelist
doesn’t necessarily make you a good query writer—and just like I think
working as an editor has helped improve my own writing, I think reading
thousands of query letters over my time in acquisitions at least taught
me some of what does and doesn’t work in querying.
1. Using “Dear Sir or Madam”
You’ve probably heard this tip before, but if all possible find a name for
your query. Many publishers will have an “about us” which will include
the acquisitions editor’s name—take the three seconds to check. If you
have looked around and can’t find any name at all, I at least find it
better to address the letter specifically to the publisher (“Dear 5
Prince Publishing…” or the like). At least then it proves you have taken
the time to acknowledge whom you are contacting rather than cutting and
pasting a form letter to everyone under the sun.
2. Not looking at publisher’s current list
Publishers
like to know that you have taken the time to think about why you’re
submitting to them rather than blanketing every submission email you can
find hoping something sticks. It should go without saying, but make sure you are submitting to publishers who publish your genre before
sending anything (more than I’d care to admit, there were automatic
rejections due to people sending things like sailing stories to a
fantasy/sci fi/horror press). You are only going to annoy whoever has to
send out the rejection letters.
Beyond
making sure the publisher publishes your genre, it’s also a good idea
to familiarize yourself with the books currently listed as produced by
the publisher you are querying. If you feel like your book would fit in
well, you have a better chance of being accepted. Bonus points for being
able to point to the books by name (Similar to [PUBLISHER’S BOOK] and
[PUBLISHER’S BOOK], [YOUR BOOK] would…)
3. Grammar/Spelling errors
Another
“more often than I’d care to admit” occurrence, typos are a big problem
for query letters. If it doesn’t seem like you are a good enough writer
to write a query letter properly, it’s likely the acquisitions editor
won’t open your sample pages at all.
4. Overselling yourself
Ok, you’re supposed to “sell yourself” in your query letter (or at least sell your work) but you make no friends byoverselling
it. If your query letter talks about how you’re sure your books will
sell billions or how everyone says you’re the next [BIG AUTHOR] take it
out now. Publishing is a business, and so query letters are first and
foremost trying to get the publisher to go into business with you. No
one wants to work with someone who is unrealistic and/or egotistical.
5. Not letting your voice shine through.
While
the golden rule of query letters is that it is a business letter, and
should be treated as such, you certainly shouldn’t take “business” to
mean “boring”. If you’re writing humor, it’s all right for your query to
sound funny. If you’re writing horror, it’s ok for the tone to be a
little scary (especially in your hook). Your query is your first foot in
the door. Stay professional, but don’t feel as though you can’t have
any personality in it. Certainly let that shine through.
Adela
Tilden has always been more ambitious than her station in life might
allow. A minor nobleman’s daughter on a failing barony, Adela’s
prospects seem dire outside of marrying well-off. When Adela catches the
eye of the crown prince, Edward, however, well-off doesn’t seem to be a
problem. Thrown into a world of politics and intrigue, Adela might have
found all the excitement she ever wanted—if she can manage to leave her
past behind.
Buy Now @ Amazon
Genre – Alternate Historical Fiction
Rating – PG-13
More details about the author
Website http://jessicadall.com/
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