Isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t that the question? Well, for those who want to write fiction, it eventually becomes the question. In fact, authors\/freelance writers usually ask that question in a pleading manner\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have to write a query letter for fiction, do I????? Please say it isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t so.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
I love to do my own little research studies and yesterday I did such a study related to the number of magazine editors and book publishers who require query letters for fiction. Of the 100 or so magazines I researched, about one-quarter require a query letter for fiction. The magazines were in the Literary, Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s, General Interest, Religious and Young Adult categories. <\/p>\n
Almost all of the agents I researched want to see a query letter first\u00e2\u20ac\u201deven for fiction. <\/p>\n
As for book publishers\u00e2\u20ac\u201dI studied the guidelines for 45 of those who publish fiction. Twenty of them require a query letter first for fiction. One of them even wanted a query letter for poetry. Ten of the publishers I studied want to see the completed manuscript, 7 ask for a proposal\u00e2\u20ac\u201dyes, for fiction\u00e2\u20ac\u201dand 8 publishers said you can send either a query, a proposal or the complete manuscript. <\/p>\n
It looks like you fiction writers\/authors are going to have to overcome your query letter jitters. Writing a query letter really isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t difficult. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just a matter of understanding the basic format for a query letter and knowing your project inside and out. (More on how to pitch your wonderful project in tomorrow\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s blog.)<\/p>\n
Maybe this will help:<\/p>\n
For a hardcopy letter to be sent via the post office:
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tUse your letterhead.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tType the date at the top left of the page.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tType the editor\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s\/publisher\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s name, company\/magazine name and complete address in block form under the date.<\/p>\n
For either hardcopy or an email letter:
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tAddress editor\/publisher by name.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tSingle space.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tUse Times New Roman 12-point type.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tTry to keep your query to one page.<\/p>\n
In the body of your letter or email:
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tMake it clear that this is a query letter for a short story\/fiction book project.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tUse a hook to capture the editor\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s\/publisher\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s interest.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tBriefly describe your story and why you feel it is of value to the readers or would fit into this publisher\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s line.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tGive your qualifications for writing this story (your connection to the theme and\/or your publishing credits).
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tEnd it. Ask the editor to request the complete manuscript or thank the editor for his\/her consideration.<\/p>\n
If this is your first query letter or you just want the opinion of someone else, show it to a fellow writer\/author. Better yet, hire an appropriate professional to review it before you send it.<\/p>\n
If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d like a couple of sample query letters for fiction, contact me at: PLFry620@yahoo.com. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll send them via email.<\/p>\n
For additional assistance with the query letter, book proposal or any other aspect of writing and publishing, contact me at PLFry620@yahoo.com. And be sure to spend time at my site learning from the many articles posted there. Purchase some of my extremely useful books. Sign up for my online courses. http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com<\/a> <\/p>\n Query Letter DON\u00e2\u20ac\u2122Ts If you want to publish your fiction, use the 3 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ps\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Be well-Prepared, Persistent and Patient. And there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a 4th P word that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s also important. Always use your Professional persona when approaching an editor or publisher, follow the rules of etiquette and protocol and you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll have a much greater chance of becoming a published author or a freelance writer with publishing credits.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t that the question? Well, for those who want to write fiction, it eventually becomes the question. In fact, authors\/freelance writers usually ask that question in a pleading manner\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have to write a query letter for fiction, do I????? Please say it isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t so.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I love to do my own little research studies and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[3,4],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tDo NOT use a general salutation, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Gentlemen,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Dear Editor\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Whomever This Concerns.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Do whatever it takes to get the name of the acquisitions or managing editor.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tDo NOT tell the publisher or editor his\/her business. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t say, for example, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153This is the best story you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve seen all year,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or \u00e2\u20ac\u0153If you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t publish this story, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re missing out on millions of dollars.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tDo NOT try to play coy with the publisher and conceal important aspects of your story. This will only result in his rejection.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tDo NOT say that all of your friends love your story and so does your mother.<\/p>\n