Writing The Query Letter
Query letters are essential sales tools for freelance writers. Yes, a query letter is a sales letter; your goal is to sell the editor, publisher or agent on you and on your project.
The first step in writing a good query letter is defining your project. Another way to say this is you must be clear on what you’re going to write, why, and for whom.
The next is to determine which editor, publisher or agent is most likely to be interested in what you’re proposing. If you’re proposing a magazine article, you simply must be familiar with the magazine. That means reading several issues with an eye toward discovering exactly the kind of articles they publish.
If it’s a book you’re proposing, you need to be sure the publisher publishes that kind of book. Publisher’s market listings and book catalogs are real helps here.
The same thing is true when you’re looking for an agent. You want an agent that regularly represents your type of work. Check their web sites and listings in volumes like Writer’s Market and Literary Market Place.
You may want to read the article, Writing the Query Letter, which has links to other articles about queries.
Write well and often,
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