Guide to Query Letters - Table of Contents

Introduction:
UP FOR THE CHALLENGE? 1
What’s a Query Anyway? 1
Why Use a Query Letter? 2
Who Writes Queries? 3
Knowing When You’re Ready. 3
The Ever-Evolving Query Letter 4
Computers 4
The Web 5
E-mail 5
Increased Foreign Correspondence 6
Keeping Track Of Submissions 7

Chapter 1:
Query Basics 9
I. Thou Shalt Look Professional10
Include an SASE (If You’re Querying by Snail Mail) 11
Address Your Query to the Right Editor or Agent,
With the Right Title 11
Format Your Query According to Industry Standards 12
Spell the Magazine, Agency, or Publishing House Correctly
and Get Its Address Right 12
II. Thou Shalt Pitch a Great Lead 12
III. Thou Shalt Tailor Your Query to the Magazine 14
IV. Thou Shalt Offer a Fresh Idea 16
V. Thou Shalt Be Creative in Your Presentation..20
VI. Thou Shalt Tighten Your Query Angle. 21
VII. Thou Shalt Sweeten the Pot 22
Photos, Graphics, Illustrations, or Renderings 22
Sidebars and Sidelights 24
The Giveaway 24
VIII. Thou Shalt Not Propose the Impossible 26
Failure to Deliver 26
Short Turnarounds 26
Impossible Word Counts 27
IX. Thou Shalt Show Credentials 27
X. Thou Shalt Have Fun 31

Chapter 2:
Article Queries 34
Components Of A Query 34
The Opening Hook.. 34
The Supporting Details 35
Your Qualifications 35
The Thank-You 35
Identifying Your Market 35
Decoding Writer’s Guidelines 39
Whom to Contact.40
How to Contact40
Web Site.40
Preferred Word Count 41
Types of Material Accepted 41
Percent of Freelance Material Accepted. 41
Publication Frequency 41
Circulation 42
Founding Date 42
Pay Rates 43
Payment Terms 43
Number of Manuscripts Purchased Each Year.. 43
Information on Photo Submissions 44
If the Magazine Has Online Versions 44
Rights Purchased 44
Columns/Departments 44
Notes From the Editor 45
General Information About the Magazine 46
If Byline/Bio Is Given 46
Lead Time. 47
If Simultaneous Submissions Are Accepted 47
How to Receive a Sample Copy 47
Kill Fee 48
Visits Per Month 48
Special Issues 48
Response Time 48
If Reprints Are Accepted 48
Famous People Who Have Contributed 49
If the Publication Pays for Writer’s Expenses 49
Other Market Resources. 49
Knowing What Editors Want 50
Impress an Editor With … 51
Depress an Editor With … 54

Chapter 3:
Nonfiction Bok Queries 72
Query vs. Proposal 72
The Opening Hook 73
The Supporting Details 73
Your Qualifications 74
The Summary 74
The Thank-You and Request to Send the Proposal 75
Book Proposals 75
Key Components of a Nonfiction Book Proposal 76
Choosing a Publisher 82
Catch a Book Editor’s Eye With … 83
Ensure an Editor Will Overlook You By … 97
Special Nonfiction Book Considerations 102

Chapter 4:
Novel Queries 122
Understanding the Fiction Query 122
The Credentials Question 123
Common Novel Query Mistakes 125
Components of a Novel Synopsis 132
Genre Considerations for the Novel Query 135
Romance 135
Literary 137
Mystery 138
Thriller/Suspense 139
Speculative 139
Children’s 142
Cross-Genre. 143

Chapter 5:
Agent Queries 145
Components of an Agent Query Letter 148
Landing Agent Representation 170
Approach With Caution 172
Choosing Wisely 174
Becoming the Model Client 177
Have a Platform 177
Understand the Business and Its Processes 178
Be Willing to Rewrite 178
Respect Your Agent’s Opinions 178
Have a Book Deal With a Publisher 180
Have Incredible Talent (Without the Ego) 181
Have Patience.. 181
Strive for More Than One Book 181
Be Careful With Referrals 183
A Client Only a Mother Could Love 184
Sending Unfocused Queries 184
Not Following Through on Deadlines 184
Including Irrelevant Information in Your Query 184
Lying/Exaggerating 185
Nagging 185
Pushing for Too Much Control 185
Expectating an Unrealistic Advance and Royalties 185

Chapter 6:
Following Up. 189
Magazine Article Queries 189
Queries to Agents 191
Queries to Book Publishers 192
Interpreting Rejection Letters
(And the Coded Phrases Within Them) 192
Responding to an Acceptance or Rejection 198

Chapter 7:
Other Forms of Correspondence 202
Cover Letters 202
Thank-You Notes 203
Turning Down an Assignment 205
Pulling an Article Submission 206
Requesting Information From a Source 207
Complaining to an Editor 210
Following Up on a “Maybe” 211
Following Up on Payment 212
Some Parting Words 213

appendix:

Resources 214

Glossary of Terms 214

For Further Study 216
Trade Magazines 216
Books and Reference Guides 217
Web Sites 218
E-Zines 218
Organizations and Genre Groups 218
Online Writing Courses 218

INDEX 221