Before you send off a query, take five minutes to make sure it contains all of these crucial elements.
☐ Correct email address (for the correct agent)
☐ Subject line (“Query: TITLE” if nothing else is posted)
☐ Greeting (with the agent’s name!)
Paragraph with . . .
☐ TITLE (all caps)
☐ word count (rounded to the nearest thousand)
☐ category (adult, YA, MG, PB, etc)
☐ genre (PLEASE just 1 or 2)
☐ comp titles (optional, but nice!)
(The previous paragraph can also be placed at the bottom of the query)
☐ 1- or 2-sentence hook (optional, but something I really like)
Paragraph (or two) with . . .
☐ Main character (who are they?)
☐ Status quo (what’s their norm?)
☐ Inciting incident (what shakes up the status quo?)
☐ Desire (what do they want?)
☐ Conflict (what’s in their way?)
☐ Stakes (what happens if they don’t get what they want?)
Paragraph with . . .
☐ Your name (and pen name, if necessary)
☐ Any relevant publishing credits (optional)
☐ Any relevant background experience, marginalizations, or other information as to why you are qualified to write this book (optional)
Below that . . .
☐ Signature (so we know how to address you)
☐ Contact info (at least an email address — phone # and address are optional)
☐ Relevant links (website, social media handles, etc — optional)
And PASTED below that (unless otherwise instructed) . . .
☐ Synopsis (optional — read the sub guidelines)
☐ Requested # of pages (ONLY what they ask for, or I will fong you)
Please use this checklist to take those extra few minutes before you send a query off! Trust me, the extra time is super worth it.
