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How To Query
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Query letters are the key to any writer’s success. Whether you’re writing non-fiction articles, fictional stories, or books you must first approach an editor with a query. (A query is a letter stating your proposed project idea and details about it.) No matter how strong your writing is or how great your story is, if you’re query doesn’t get past the editor’s desk it won’t do any good. Similarly, if two people query the same topic, you want our name to be on top of the query that most interests the editor. How do you do that? Check out my suggestions below, but also check my Do’s and Don’ts link for common problems that might pop up in your queries.
Queries take practice. At first, every query I wrote was rejected. Then, I read some advice from other writers and looked at their sample queries. Now, my most common reason for the rejection of a query is that the topic has already been covered or is already scheduled to be published. At least I know it was a viable topic; my timing was just off.
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I want to be a writer. Where do I start?
What do I put in a non-fiction query?
What about a fiction cover letter?
What do I do with a book query?
Query Do's
Querying Don'ts
How important are contacts--really?
Do I need an agent?
How can I work as my own agent?
How can I market my book?
I want to be a writer. Where do I start?
Start by dedicating yourself to your dream. Many people tell me they want to be writers because they wrote a poem last night and it's great. While I know that all great poets started that way, so did many mediocre. Keep in mind that writing is a process, and writers are continually growing and evolving. If you're not willing to accept criticism (sometimes harsh and sometimes helpful), if you can't handle having a piece or idea rejected (several times and often without explanation), and if you aren't willing to do as you say you'll do when you say you'll do it, then writing isn't for you. Simply said, writing is hard work. The idea of sitting back sipping tea on a patio and casually typing your thoughts is a magical as the unicorns I adore.
Start by reading--everything. You won't get your name in National Geographic or Cosmo at this point, so forget about that. Read and note how writing styles change for various audiences. Note topics of interest and what seems to be already overdone. Become familiar with publications and publishing houses. Often one publisher owns several magazines which limits your querying options.
Then, start writing. It will take time to find your genre of writing. I started out thinking I was a creative fiction writer. While there are still stories within me, I feel that my identity as a writer is a non-fiction writer. The true stories of the world are fascinating to me, and that's what I enjoy writing and researching. It took some trial and error to find what type of writer I am, but now that I've found it my career is much easier to direct.
Finally, take a breath and get ready to query and submit. Be prepared for rejection--all the greats have seen it. Yet, the acceptances will be so wonderful that you'll forget about the other answers.
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What do I put in a non-fiction query?
*your contact information
*interesting title
*estimated word count
*interesting opening
*brief outline of what will be covered
*mention of experts to be interviewed (do your homework ahead of time)
*your writing experience
*deadline information
*illustrative suggestions
*suggestions for its interest level with the audience (I often put this in my header.)
Queries should follow this pattern:
May 11, 2006
name, address, phone, e-mail
magazine department
estimated word count
RE: “XXXX”
With every query I send suggestions for illustrations, such as museums which will allow acquisitions of photos as well as their fees, or leads to photographers who may have the photos. Usually, I try to send my own photos since I prefer to work as a packaged deal. If I already have the photos, I send samples. If I haven’t photographed the area but I will, I “borrow” photos from the internet or brochures and submit those so that the editor can see how great they’ll be. If you do this, always give credit to the owner of the photos. For instance, write a line stating “Sample photos courtesy of XXX at www.xxx.com. Author’s photos will accompany article but feature similar scenes.”
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What about a fiction cover letter?
Fiction queries aren’t quite queries but more of cover letters. Whether you’re proposing a short story or a book, my best advice here is to look at the Writers’ Market books for fictional writing for samples. I say this because I haven’t had a lot of experience in fictional submissions at the time, and I don’t want to claim to be an expert in something that I’m not—although I wouldn’t consider myself an expert in non-fiction either. Ask John Updike for tips; if he answers you, let me know.
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What do I do with a book query?
Book queries are similar to non-fictional queries in some aspects. You need to grab the editor’s attention with your opening, and you need to reflect your writing style.
What should I include?
*your contact information
*interesting title
*interesting opening
*brief outline of what the book is about; if you can’t summarize it easily, think about it.
*comparison to other books out there which are selling well
*how will it fit into their publishing catalog
*your writing experience
*a selling phrase or catch-point (think back of the book phrases)
This is part of the query that I wrote for Hey, History Isn’t Boring Anymore!
To: Mr. Editor, Acquisitions Editor, Publishing House
Re: Nonfiction book proposal query letter for Hey, History Isn’t Boring Anymore!
Each year thousands of students are bored by the passages in their history textbooks. …description of historic event in US history…
Hey, History Isn’t Boring Anymore! is a book which will teach history through short articles which abandon the traditional textbook style. One article will ask readers to take a personality test and align with famous faces of the Civil War. Aimed at the middle reader, this is the book that … book’s slogan or catch phrase…
The major market for this book will be teachers, parents, and students. Since each article is short enough to read in one sitting, they will be appealing to lower level readers who desire high interest reading. In the future further volumes will be added to this series …convince the editor that you’re not a once and done writer; you’re full of ideas, let them know that…. Books with a similar idea are …sample books here… which incorporate history into high interest, fictitious retellings. This book will fit in well with your publishing house alongside your historical fiction novels such as …list sample novels here from the publisher’s catalog…
As an English teacher in the public school system for ten years, I have worked with history teachers to create interdisciplinary units, and I have seen students struggle while reading textbooks. I also have current experience teaching writing and research courses at the collegiate level for six semesters. My writing experience includes publication in eight different magazines as well as various newsletters and websites, and I have written articles with similar content to this book which have appeared in consecutive issues of Learning Through History. …focus only on those aspects which tie into the content of your novel…
Time is both valuable and irreplaceable, and I thank you for yours. I look forward to hearing from you about this project. Should you wish for more materials, sample chapters, or a complete proposal, please contact me and I will gladly forward this information.
Sincerely,
Kelly Ann Butterbaugh, M Ed. …My contact information was included in the header with a formal style to make it look like stationary. Don’t go overboard with word art, etc. Instead, make it look simple and professional. I always try to portray myself as a professional, no matter how well I know the editor. If anything, that’s how I want to be viewed, as a professional writer.
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Query Do's
*Do accept rejection; it's part of being a writer Without rejection the world would be full of magazines without agendas, focus, and individual style. *Do internalize the reasons for rejection. Is it a generic "yes, we liked it but don't have room for it right now" letter, or does it give a specific reason. Learn from that reason; it's valuable information. *Do query often. It helps to balance the rejection (one yes for every 5 no's) and it helps you become successful. *Do query with topics you're genuinely interested in. It makes it much less like work and more like paid entertainment! *Do preread the magazines first before querying even it's on-line *Do present yourself professionally. Professionalism can sell a query. I've had an editor reject my original idea but ask if I'd write about a topic she had in mind. She liked how I presented myself but hated my idea. I could live with that. *Do look around and get ideas. Don't steal another idea but think how you could expand upon it, approach it differently, or tie it to another idea you've had.
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Querying Don'ts
*don’t query a topic you haven’t researched, aren’t prepared to explain, and can’t pull off—you will get caught on this one, and then your chances of ever working with that publication again are shot (or any sister publications, etc.)
*don’t query a book you haven’t written.
*don’t dramatize or add irrelevant details
*don’t forget to read the submission guidelines and follow them to the T
*don’t propose a topic that isn’t appropriate for that publication.
*don’t add the title of Mr. or Ms. to the editor’s name unless you’re absolutely sure of gender. No one will notice the absence of the title, but he/she will notice if it’s the wrong one. Is Chris a male or female? I rarely make any assumptions, regardless of the name. I personally take a negative tone when people refer to me as Mr. Butterbaugh. Similarly, if you’re unsure of the editor’s name and you don’t have a current name, call the publication and ask or skip a name altogether.
*don’t type “Dear Editor.”
*don't query a topic just because it fits the magazine; query it because you love it.
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How important are contacts--really?
You are marketing one product--yourself as a writer. That means you need to present yourself in a professional manner at all times. Meet deadlines, be friendly, be real, and be professional.
Your job is to work with people: readers, sources, and editors. Stay professional but stay real. Be a real person and invite them to be personal with you.
While working on an article I met a source while talking to him about his job. While e-mailing back and forth, I learned that he was a Civil War enthusiast. Later, when I needed to gather photos for my book, he was invaluable to me.
On a random internet search, I found a fabulous photographer's homepage. When I later queried an article I realized that I couldn't produce the required photos, yet this homepage came to mind. I was excited to work with him to complete the package.
One thing I've learned is that people I know aren't always happy to work with me on articles. There's a lot of pressure to work with someone you know on a person level. Likewise, your family doctor may not be an expert on skin conditions; don't count on her as a source. Keep your personal connections separate from your professional connections while being personal with your professional friends.
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Do I need an agent?
I vaccilate back and forth between this one. At times, I just want someone to do everything for me. Most times, I want total control of my writing business. I do not have an agent.
If you write only magazine articles, agents aren't for you. They only work with book publication, and many book authors do not use agents.
If you're writing a book consider these points: 1) Agents take part of your royalties. 2) Agents need to be queried just like publishing companies. 3) Agents CAN get your manuscript onto the desk of editors who work for larger publishing companies, thus generating more royalties. 4) Agents can work with you on muliple projects or refer you to an agent who will work with you. 5) Agents help with contracts and technical aspectgs of your writing. 6) Editors or marketing agents can help you with these things as well.
This is ultimately a personal decision. Read about agents, check out some writing books that offer pros and cons, and make your own decision about agent or no agent.
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How can I work as my own agent?
Essentially, you are your own agent in the freelance business. Personally, I like it that way, but it's a lot of work. Finding a publication for my idea is the closest to work that this gets for me. This is the skill which I worked the hardest to improve, and it's the skill that has paid off the most for me. My writing has and continues to improve, but my PR skills are what helps me to sell this writing. How can you improve upon it?
1. Do your homework. You're a writer now, think like one. Look at every publication that your hand touches and note where it's published, who's the editor, and what parent company owns it. You'll start to see connections between publications which can help you better query them. Also, note what types of articles you're reading, how they are approached, how they're illustrated, and their style of writing.
2. Adopt different writing styles for different publications. If I don't have a hard copy of a magazine in my desk, upon the go-ahead for an article I purchase the latest copy. Then I read it. And read it. And read it again. I want my article to match the tone of the magazine and use the vocabulary and style expected of the audience. I adapt my writing style to meet that of the magazine. I still have my personal style; every writer does, but I can make my style meet their style. I learned this lesson the hard way after researching for six weeks and writing a 3000 word article (my longest to date) only to have it rejected in the final stage. To my disappointment, this editor wasn't interested in rewrites. I vowed to never let this happen to me again. As a result, I do little rewriting if any on my articles.
3. Try to be grammatically and stylistically precise. Editors appreciate this, and it goes with the professionalism of the trade. Purchase a strong grammar book (see my listings in Outta the Gate) and do some homework. Apply that to your everyday life and write precisely-always. It's good practice.
4. Be a positive person. There's a lot of negativity in this field, so try to focus on the positive. I know that for every down I feel (like my aforesaid rejection) there will be a high just around the corner. Similarly, don't read another's work and think "I could write better than that." That's putting someone down to make yourself feel better. Instead, believe, "I could write a piece like this" and then work to do your best. Know your strengths and take confidence in them. Know your weaknesses and improve upon them.
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How can I market my book?
There is so much to say about book marketing, and honestly I'm in the middle of learning it myself. Check out some great books about marketing to help you with your needs. Some books offer suggestions for handling author visitations while others offer suggestions for press marketing. Talk to your editor or marketing representative who will be more than willing to help you. Think like an author who needs to sell a book. Anywhere you see books sold, any piece that comes in the mail with publications on it, can become a possible selling option for your book. I've collected an entire three ring binder of ideas for marketing my book.
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