Saturday Tips - Query Letters

Looking for an agent? It can be a challenging task. If you're ready to query, a good source on the Internet is: http://www.agentquery.com

Agent Query lists agents, what they're looking for, and if they're open to new authors.

Tip #1 - Research. Did you write an action/adventure? a thriller? a romance? Research those agents that are interested in those projects.

Tip #2 - DON'T: Write this as your first sentence: "I'm looking for a experienced agent who has made multi-million dollar deals..."

OPEN WITH SOMETHING LIKE THIS:

I had an opportunity to read your “bio” on Agent Query’s website and I was very impressed . With consideration to your acquisitions, I feel you will enjoy my novel, "The Wolf's Torment," set in Romania 1865, dealing with werewolf myths and legends. This novel blends your interests of fantasy, romance, and historical fiction.

Then hit the agent with the 1-2 sentence blurb that will knock their socks off. Something like this:

Can the intense young Crown Prince of Moldavia overcome the curse that haunts his family and his nation when a werewolf bites his best friend?

Or what might be more effective, now that I think about it - Open with your blurb and then go into the paragraph.

Here's how it should read:

Can the intense young Crown Prince of Moldavia overcome the curse that haunts his family and his nation when a werewolf bites his best friend?

I had an opportunity to read your “bio” on Agent Query’s website and I was very impressed . In doing the marketing research for my recently written novel, With consideration to your acquisitions, I feel you will enjoy my novel, "The Wolf's Torment," set in Romania 1865, dealing with werewolf myths and legends. This novel blends your interests of fantasy, romance, and historical fiction.

Thoughts, comments, feedback welcomed.
Steph