What is a query letter? A query letter is both a sales pitch and summary of your book or article. The goal of a query letter is to create a positive first impression and motivate the editor to ask to see your book.
Do Query Letters Matter? It lets the editor know that they are dealing with a professional. It helps “sell” the idea of your book to the editor. It also forces the writer to have a clear and organized vision of their book.
Parts of the query letter
- The Opening: What’s the main idea and why is this book important?
- The summary: what’s in it?
- The bio: why you are the one to write it. Your expertise and experience.
- The audience: Who is going to be interested in it? Name successful books that are similar to yours.
When not to send a query- for humor or very short children’s books
SPP: Be Sure, Be Professional, Be Precise
- Be sure: show confidence and enthusiasm in your letter
- Be professional: make sure your letter is polished and professional sounding. No mistakes.
- Be precise: A query including specific details about your book is better than a general query.
Looking forward to reading your queries to Targum!
Esther
November 19th, 2008
Our family is going away for a few days this summer. Of course I’m thinking, what should I pack?
But I’m not thinking about what clothes to bring, I’m thinking about what books I should pack.
Do I want escape or inspiration? Comedy or drama?
Do I want to lose myself in a book? Or do I want to find myself?
The right book sets the right mood. I love to browse in bookstores. Some books seem to call to me from their spots on the shelf. Choose me. And over here in the corner, half hidden…
What makes books so special?
They are always giving. They give us words, and create for us worlds, ideas, experiences and feelings.
And they don’t ask for a lot in return.
Only our attention.
August 1st, 2008
In May, I attended Leah Kotkes’ Writers’ Journey Seminar in Jerusalem and spoke about how to write a great query letter. (Anyone that would like a free copy of my presentation can write me for it.)
I met with a number of writers- some had brought their manuscripts with them. They spoke to me about the hopes and dreams that went into to their writing. And then they handed me their books; in folders or binders. As the manuscripts passed from their arms into mine, I felt like they were handing me over their children; from their arms into mine. I read these manuscripts with respect and care, hoping really hoping that I would be able to say yes, we would love to publish them!
But alas, we cannot publish all the manuscripts we receive and that is hardest, most challenging part of this job.
And I wonder, will I ever get used to it; telling a writer “no?” Is it only because I am new to the job? After awhile, will deciding to reject a manuscript get easier?
I hope not.
June 3rd, 2008
My novel was accepted by Targum before I began working there. I felt I had placed my book in caring hands and now it’s such a strange feeling that I will be involved in the production of my own book. It’s a totally invented novel and I wonder: will people realize that or will they think that the rather dramatic events I write about actually occurred? I love writing fiction and I always thought it gives the writer a semblance of privacy even after the book is published. But now I am beginning to wonder. Fiction provides the writer with so much freedom to imagine that it can go far deeper than non-fiction which must stay grounded in the facts. So maybe there isn’t so much privacy after all. I guess I will have to wait and see…
May 3rd, 2008
Working to bring forth books is exciting and also a bit nerve wracking. It means thinking about people and trying to envision what they really want to read. What will inspire and what will entertain? What do they want to read and what are they tired of seeing already?
In our times, interests and trends move so fast, it’s a challenge to keep up. And there is so much sensory overload in our lives, with newspapers, magazines, cds, mp3s… has the humble book been overshadowed?
I think not.
I think the special feeling of holding a new book in one’s hand and opening it for the first time, the pages stiff and smell of paper fresh; leaves the reader with a sense of anticipation and adventure.
What will I find in this new book? Will I find entertainment? Will I find inspiration? Will I find myself?
April 3rd, 2008