The Writer's Digest Guide to Query Letters by Burt-Thomas, Wendy -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Title Page Copyright Table of Contents INTRODUCTION: UP FOR THE CHALLENGE?

What's a Query Anyway? Why Use a Query Letter? Who Writes Queries? Knowing When You're Ready The Ever-Evolving Query Letter

Computers The Web E-mail Increased Foreign Correspondence

Keeping Track Of Submissions

CHAPTER 1: QUERY BASICS

I. Thou Shalt Look Professional

II. Thou Shalt Pitch a Great Lead III. Thou Shalt Tailor Your Query to the Magazine IV. Thou Shalt Offer a Fresh Idea V. Thou Shalt Be Creative in Your Presentation VI. Thou Shalt Tighten Your Query Angle VII. Thou Shalt Sweeten the Pot

Photos, Graphics, Illustrations, or Renderings Sidebars and Sidelights The Giveaway

VIII. Thou Shalt Not Propose the Impossible

Failure to Deliver Short Turnarounds Impossible Word Counts

IX. Thou Shalt Show Credentials X. Thou Shalt Have Fun

CHAPTER 2: ARTICLE QUERIES

Components Of A Query

The Opening Hook The Supporting Details Your Qualifications The Thank-You

Identifying Your Market Decoding Writer's Guidelines

Whom to Contact How to Contact Web Site Preferred Word Count Types of Material Accepted Percent of Freelance Material Accepted Publication Frequency Circulation Founding Date Pay Rates Payment Terms Number of Manuscripts Purchased Each Year Information on Photo Submissions If the Magazine Has Online Versions Rights Purchased Columns/Departments Notes From the Editor General Information About the Magazine If Byline/Bio Is Given Lead Time If Simultaneous Submissions Are Accepted How to Receive a Sample Copy Kill Fee Visits Per Month Special Issues Response Time If Reprints Are Accepted Famous People Who Have Contributed If the Publication Pays for Writer’s Expenses

Other Market Resources Knowing What Editors Want

Impress an Editor With … Depress an Editor With …

CHAPTER 3: NONFICTION BOOK QUERIES

Query vs. Proposal

The Opening Hook The Supporting Details Your Qualifications The Summary The Thank-You and Request to Send the Proposal

Book Proposals

Key Components of a Nonfiction Book Proposal

Choosing a Publisher

Catch a Book Editor’s Eye With … Ensure an Editor Will Overlook You By … Special Nonfiction Book Considerations

CHAPTER 4: NOVEL QUERIES

Understanding the Fiction Query

The Credentials Question

Common Novel Query Mistakes Components of a Novel Synopsis

Romance Literary Mystery Thriller/Suspense Speculative Children’s Cross-Genre

CHAPTER 5: AGENT QUERIES

Components of an Agent Query Letter Landing Agent Representation

Approach With Caution Choosing Wisely

Becoming the Model Client

Have a Platform Understand the Business and Its Processes Be Willing to Rewrite Respect Your Agent’s Opinions Have a Book Deal With a Publisher Have Incredible Talent (Without the Ego) Have Patience Strive for More Than One Book Be Careful With Referrals

A Client Only a Mother Could Love

Sending Unfocused Queries Not Following Through on Deadlines Including Irrelevant Information in Your Query Lying/Exaggerating Nagging Pushing for Too Much Control Expecting an Unrealistic Advance and Royalties

CHAPTER 6: FOLLOWING UP

Magazine Article Queries Queries to Agents Queries to Book Publishers Interpreting Rejection Letters (And the Coded Phrases Within Them) Responding to an Acceptance or Rejection

CHAPTER 7: OTHER FORMS OF CORRESPONDENCE

Cover Letters Thank-You Notes Turning Down an Assignment Pulling an Article Submission Requesting Information From a Source Complaining to an Editor Following Up on a “Maybe” Following Up on Payment Some Parting Words

APPENDIX: RESOURCES

Glossary of Terms For Further Study

Trade Magazines Books and Reference Guides Web sites E-Zines Organizations and Genre Groups Online Writing Courses