Issue 2: Query Don’ts

Query Letters – November 2010

In keeping with October’s discussion on writing a successful query letter, I would like to list the “Do-Nots,” that is, the things that agents and editors tell us over and over NOT to do, say, or list in a query letter. Remember, the query is your one chance to arouse interest in your work, so you don’t want to knowingly commit a query fauxpas.

I had the great opportunity to attend the Central Ohio Fiction Writers’ Conference in Columbus this weekend, and there were several agents and editors in attendance. It was the perfect opportunity to test the information I get online. Turns out, the rules that I find on line are quite accurate. I had lunch with Leis Pederson, an editor from Berkley, and dinner with Charles Greisman from Harlequinn. I even had the opportunity to pitch a manuscript to Cori Deyoe from Three Seas Literary Agency. There were at least two hundred other writers and industry professionals present, and they confirmed the truth in what I am sharing with you this month and next. This month, I will share the things that you should avoid at all costs in a query.

1. Never-never say you’ve written a “fiction-novel.” All novels are fiction by definition and saying fiction novel marks you in an agent’s mind as ill-informed at best.
2. Do not query a manuscript that is not finished and perfect. They will toss your letter if you try this.
3. Do not make ANY spelling or grammatical errors. This is your first and possibly only chance to show your talent. Don’t ruin it by making unnecessary mistakes.
4. Never announce that your work is the next big thing, or compare it to something that is phenomenal in sales like Twilight, Harry Potter, or anything Stephen King. Bragging doesn’t show confidence, it shows ignorance of procedure and lack of professionalism.
5. Don’t discuss themes. Please don’t tell the agent in your query about underlying themes and lessons. Let them think for themselves, besides, if you have to point them out, they weren’t that well written anyhow.
6. Don’t use your biography paragraph to discuss your personal life. They seriously don’t care about your day job unless it applies to your novel ex: you’re an ER doctor who has written a thriller about a night of terror in the ER. Definitely share that. But, skip listing your children’s names and ages unless you’ve written a parenting book.
7. Don’t list any contest wins that the agent didn’t judge, or that are not pertinent to your novel and genre. Online contests are something to skip, while being a Golden Heart finalist if you’re a romance writer is crucial information.  If you’re unsure, then skip sharing.
8. Don’t expect to hear anything quickly. Most agents take up to three months to respond to an equerry.
9. Don’t expect to hear anything. Guess what, those annoying form letter rejections waste time and many agents are moving to the “No news means No thanks” procedure.
10. Never follow up on a query – Ever. Never-Ever. If you hear nothing, then let it go as a “No.” AND Never ask “why?” or make any rebuttal to a rejection. Let it go.
11. Don’t try to summarize your entire book in the query. The query should only whet their appetite. Make it simple like the blurb on a jacket cover. Make them need to request more.
12. Never send attachments unless they ask.  They know what they want. Don’t send more than they want. This shows that you can read and follow directions. This is important.

These things should get you started and in December, I’ll have a list of all the MUST Do’s that agents want to see in your query. Query letters are really THAT important.