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Question: Writing and sending off the dreary query letter!?
Okay, So I'm 22 and have finished my first novel!. Yay, right!. These may be stupid questions but I don't want to appear to be the amateur that I am!.
1!. When sending off my query letter and first few pages of my book should I put it in a large envelope and not fold anything or would a regular letter envelope suffice!? (Hope that makes sense)!.
2!. Those first few pages that I happen to send off, should they be double spaced or single!? Do I need a cover letter for those pages like the title of the manuscript or would the query letter itself count!?
3!. And here's the magical question!.!.!.I've sent a number of email queries and gotten the A-typical response of we don't represent that kind of book; however, when I researched the agency looking for Young Adult, because that is what mine is, it said they did!.!.!.!.!.SO, is sending a query through snail-mail have better hopes of getting a positive response or am I just doomed!?
Thanks a million to whomever replies!.
Signed,
Nervous amateur authorWww@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
I don't disagree with Brynne C for the most part, but there are subtle differences in what I'd advise!.
A regular envelop is fine assuming the folded documents aren't too fat for the envelope to easily slide through a mail slot!. What I do is pretty straight forward: If I trifold my pages and they stay folded I use a regular business envelope, if they pop back out I use a full sized document envelope!. Always include your SASE!.
Just like she said on the formatting, however I'd advise deep research as to the preference of the agent and agencies!. Some want a synopsis, some want five pages, some want an outline, etc!. Don't rely on the first listing you find, use every angle you can!. Most agencies will have a web page that specifies exactly what they want!. On your first round of submissions it is imperative to follow that guide to the letter!.
I don't do email queries!. I don't do them for manuscripts, or shorts!. The reasons are simple: It's impossible to guarantee the formatting of an email, so it may come out on their end completely sloppy and unprofessional; a physical address is a solid indicator that an agency or magazine can at least afford to pay some bills and that goes a ways towards helping define their legitimacy; and finally I'm trying to sell myself in print, and a printed letter gives a better first impression for that purpose than pixels on a screen!. Are your chances better in snail mail!? They're the same, but it feels more productive to submit via snail mail!.
Remember, the most important part of the submission package is the query letter!. Most agents won't read past the first paragraph before making their decision!. You've got approximately two lines to hook them, and every line after that is even more crucial!. It should be concise, expertly written, and a strong indicator of your voice and style!.
Best of luck to you! Getting an agent, and then published is more about persistence, and willingness to adapt than a lot of people realize!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Congratulations on finishing your first novel! And if you don't ask questions, how are you going to learn!?
If you are sending a query letter via snail mail just send the letter with a three paragraph synopsis of the book in the body of the letter!. This can go in a regular envelope, folded!.
Remember to put your contact info on it -- you would be shocked at how many people don't do this!.
It is my understanding that most agencies don't want pages!. If they like the synopsis, then you can send them three chapters and an outline, though if you have the whole manuscript they are more likely to want to see the whole thing!.
All manuscript pages should be double-spaced, in black ink on white paper, in either Times New Roman, or Courier font, in 12-point type!. Please forgive me if you know that already!.
As for the last question, does your book have some element that they don't represent!? Like, is it supernatural, or Christian-leaning, or science fiction or fantasy!? Because Young Adult fiction has sub-genres, too, and not all YA agencies represent all genres!.
And no, you're not doomed!. No matter what anyone else says, you've already done the hardest part!.
Good luck with it, I will keep my fingers crossed for you!
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