Query, Query Letter (N)
(1) a one page letter to an editor pitching a proposed non-fiction article.
(2) a pitch to a director for a screenplay.
(3) a letter to an editor for a novel usually accompanied with a synopsis and sample chapters.
Source: www.writefromhome.com
A query letter "pitches" an article or book idea to an editor to see if that editor might be interested in purchasing the proposed or completed manuscript.
Source: www.thescriptorium.net
An inquiry from a writer to an editor of a magazine, newspaper, etc., regarding the acceptability of or interest in an idea for an article, news story, or the like: usually presented in the form of a letter that outlines or describes the projected piece.
Source: dictionary.reference.com
Query (V)
The act of writing and submitting a query letter.
Source: Brian Westover
Showing posts with label Query Letters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Query Letters. Show all posts
1/17/07
::inkthinker:: Query Challenge
Kristen King, over at ::inkthinker:: (a WriterSpot favorite) has posted a challenge to readers, inviting them to write 10 query letters a month. Sounds good to me! I particularly like the tagline she came up with.
12 months + 120 queries =
Imminent publishing
success
11/20/06
More Advice from the Renegades
I'm not sure how it happened, but even though I make a near-daily perusal of the Renegade Writer's Blog, I missed a veritable gem of advice. Judging by the lack of comments, so did everyone else.
Linda Formichelli, co-author of the RW books, suggests using Amazon's search function to track down experts with recently published or soon-to-be published books. They're established experts, which is good for you. They have a book to promote, which is good for them. It's brilliant!
Linda Formichelli, co-author of the RW books, suggests using Amazon's search function to track down experts with recently published or soon-to-be published books. They're established experts, which is good for you. They have a book to promote, which is good for them. It's brilliant!
10/9/06
Plato and the Perfect Pitch – Elements of the Query Letter
Plato and the Perfect Pitch – Elements of the Query Letter
The Greek philosopher Plato said that in any interaction in which we must appeal to someone else, there are three appeals we can use, Ethos, Pathos, and Logos. Each represents a separate element of appeal, and each one of these also corresponds to the elements of a successful query letter.
Pathos – Appealing to the emotions and passions.
Whether it’s the title of your story, the opening paragraph or an eye catching graphic, the reader needs to be pulled in to read the whole of your article, and this is especially true of an editor. When a query letter goes before an editor, you have perhaps a sentence or two in which to grab their attention, snap them out of their current state, and get them interested in your article. This is done with a hook or lead.
In order for your article to see print, the editor has to not only consider it, they also have to like it. If they never consider it, you have zero chance of getting published or getting a paycheck. Thus, it is essential for you to arouse in them a passionate response – one that leads them to keep reading. Maybe it’s a major current event. Maybe it’s a shocking statistic. Perhaps it’s just a well worded question, or a clever quote. The bottom line is that you must initially catch their mind, and get them involved in your query.
Logos – Appealing to logic and reason.
Once they’ve begun to read your query, you need to then appeal to their sense of logic. Give them solid reasons to want your article. Explain what it’s about, why it’s a good fit for their magazine and why their readers will want to read it. Include information about your expert sources, include statistics, include anything that will logically convince the editor that this is a good idea and will be a great article for them.
Ethos – Appealing by way of credibility.
Lastly, once you’ve sold the idea of the article, you need to sell yourself as a writer. This begins the moment they open your letter. Is it cleanly organized? Is it well thought out? Is it free from spelling and grammatical errors? The overall professionalism of your query will say volumes about your level of professionalism as a writer.
Lastly, you need to include some information about yourself. What have you written before? Where have you been published? What qualifies you to write on this specific topic? The main thrust here is credibility. If an editor loves your article idea but you appear to be an untrained novice, your chances for publication are slim to none. You must convince the editor that you are the right person for the job, so act accordingly.
The Greek philosopher Plato said that in any interaction in which we must appeal to someone else, there are three appeals we can use, Ethos, Pathos, and Logos. Each represents a separate element of appeal, and each one of these also corresponds to the elements of a successful query letter.
Pathos – Appealing to the emotions and passions.
Whether it’s the title of your story, the opening paragraph or an eye catching graphic, the reader needs to be pulled in to read the whole of your article, and this is especially true of an editor. When a query letter goes before an editor, you have perhaps a sentence or two in which to grab their attention, snap them out of their current state, and get them interested in your article. This is done with a hook or lead.
In order for your article to see print, the editor has to not only consider it, they also have to like it. If they never consider it, you have zero chance of getting published or getting a paycheck. Thus, it is essential for you to arouse in them a passionate response – one that leads them to keep reading. Maybe it’s a major current event. Maybe it’s a shocking statistic. Perhaps it’s just a well worded question, or a clever quote. The bottom line is that you must initially catch their mind, and get them involved in your query.
Logos – Appealing to logic and reason.
Once they’ve begun to read your query, you need to then appeal to their sense of logic. Give them solid reasons to want your article. Explain what it’s about, why it’s a good fit for their magazine and why their readers will want to read it. Include information about your expert sources, include statistics, include anything that will logically convince the editor that this is a good idea and will be a great article for them.
Ethos – Appealing by way of credibility.
Lastly, once you’ve sold the idea of the article, you need to sell yourself as a writer. This begins the moment they open your letter. Is it cleanly organized? Is it well thought out? Is it free from spelling and grammatical errors? The overall professionalism of your query will say volumes about your level of professionalism as a writer.
Lastly, you need to include some information about yourself. What have you written before? Where have you been published? What qualifies you to write on this specific topic? The main thrust here is credibility. If an editor loves your article idea but you appear to be an untrained novice, your chances for publication are slim to none. You must convince the editor that you are the right person for the job, so act accordingly.
10/3/06
Query Letter Cheat Sheet
Research First
At the very least, you’ll do some measure of research before you send off a query, even if it’s only to look up the address. While you’re at it, increase your opportunities to get published by finding out what the publication’s submission guidelines are, which editor to send your work to, and determine before hand whether a topic is appropriate for the publication.
What you’ll want to know:
Contact Info
Editor Name
Submission Guidelines
Study Market
Format
While there are as many format variations as there are writers, there are some key pieces of information that you need to have in your query.
Editor Name
Hook
Basic Info about the article
Author Bio
If you are missing any of these elements, your initial query to an editor is probably incomplete.
Because a query letter is essentially a business proposal, many writers suggest using a business letter format. Whether that format works best is up to the writer, but you absolutely must be business-like and professional. Make sure it’s easy to read, clearly organized and is complete.
Professionalism
When your query letter is being read, it’s often the only thing an editor has to go on regarding your writing skills, your dependability and your professionalism. If you’re not already fanatical about doing things right, now would be a good time to start.
Mistakes to Avoid
Here’s what not to do:
Include spelling errors, grammatical problems or sloppy language
Put in an unusual font/color/paper/etc
Include unimportant personal details
Get long winded to make your short query longer
Some Great Articles on Query Letter Writing:
How to Write a Query Letter - John Hewitt
The Stuff E-Mail Queries are Made Of - Mridu Khullar
From Thought to Query - Teri Pilcher
The 5 Paragraph Query Letter - Terri L. Main
Tips for Query Writing - Jessica Ramirez
10/2/06
Query Letters as Content
I've just recently stumbled across a great little blog that seems to share a few aims with my own. Query-a-Day follows Donna, a freelance writer as she queries different publications. It's a great idea, and I'll shamelessly admit, it's one I'm going to use here as well. I hope she doesn't mind.
Honestly, it's an idea I was already considering. The thought of blogging about my queries, the follow-ups, the rejections, the acceptance letters, all of that - it seems to me to be an area that's ready-made to blog about. It would keep me steady with the query letters, and it would add some flavor to the blog. (Hmmm... the flavor of the blog - that doesn't sound very appetizing!)
Honestly, it's an idea I was already considering. The thought of blogging about my queries, the follow-ups, the rejections, the acceptance letters, all of that - it seems to me to be an area that's ready-made to blog about. It would keep me steady with the query letters, and it would add some flavor to the blog. (Hmmm... the flavor of the blog - that doesn't sound very appetizing!)
9/29/06
Instant Query Letters?
Here's an excellent post by Diana Burrell, author of 'The Renegade Writer'. She reviews one of many 'Instant Query Letter' sites, which essentially are hightech MadLibs in basic query format.
Instant Query - just add words
Instant Query - just add words
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