I’ve been writing for publication for over 40 years and I’ve written hundreds—maybe thousands—of query letters. Recently, however, it has come to my attention that this document has taken on a new shape and style.
It used to be that a query letter was a one-page introduction to your manuscript or proposed magazine article. Today, I notice that some book publishers, when they ask for a query letter, will say, “Please include synopsis, something about the author, your marketing plan and publishing history.” Or they might say, “Send us a 6 or 7-page query letter explaining the content of your proposed book, its competition, author’s background and audience.”
I’d call this a mini-book proposal. What say you? Have you submitted one of these heftier query letters?