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On March 8, 2025, Kasie and Rex took on querying and the frequently-asked questions and frequently-given responses and advice. Here are the show notes:

Theme for the day

Query Fatigue

Agenda

• Quick Catch Up
• The purpose of the query
• What to include and what to exclude
• A proven(?) methodology

Segment 1

So we’re both working a relationship-connection with a specific agent but there are a TON of writers out there querying agents and it’s about that time of year when agents, editors, and publishers are opening up for queries. So I figured we’d do a query episode. We’ve never done it because, maybe, we don’t query the way a lot of authors do.

So, what is a query letter? Well, from Writer’s Digest:

It’s a one-page letter used to get an editor or agent interested in the work you’d like to send them. Sometimes isn’t for something you’ve already written, sometimes it’s to determine if you should write a piece – like a magazine article or a nonfiction book.

Here are some query letter FAQs:

Is there a standard structure? Yes and no. See below.

Can I send the same query letter to everyone? No.

Where can I learn what an agent or publisher wants in the query? On their website.

How long should I wait until I get a response? Varies but expect a LONG time.

What is the purpose of the query letter? This blog says:

• Introduce the purpose of your letter (ie: to secure representation).
• To define in a very concise way the manuscript that you’ve written (ie: title, genre, word count).
• To introduce your work at slightly more length – so you say what it is (setting / setup / premise / main character).
• To give a sense of the emotional mood of your work – what is the emotional payoff for the reader?
• To give a hint of your book’s USP or angle.
• To help the agent understand where your book would fit in the market by including comparable titles and agent personalisation.
• To say something – not much – about you.

Segment 2

The basic format of a query letter – and you can literally google this and get it from AI like I did:

• A brief introduction, including the book title, word count, and genre. 
• A compelling summary of the book’s concept and why it’s unique or appealing. 
• A brief overview of your author credentials and experience. 
• A clear statement of your request (e.g., seeking representation or publication). 
• A thank you and contact information. 

Some resources for the info above: How to Write a Query Letter from the Reedsy blog, Read a Sample Query Letter from Jericho Writers.

Can you do a one-sentence summary of the book?

Do you know your book’s genre? Is this traditional like where-you-find-it-in-the-bookstore genre or Amazon genre tags? How specific do you need to be?

Two things the query is NOT – not a back-of-the-book blurb (that’s for readers) and it’s not a chapter-by-chapter synopsis (that comes later). Explain what your book is and why a reader will want to read it. Sounds easy, right? (link).

Is it true that agents and editors are looking for excuses to ignore queries? Yes and no.

Segment 3

Jane Friedman, who knows everything, writes this: Only query after the manuscript is finished, polished, and ready to go. Also, her recommended inclusions:

• The housekeeping: your book’s genre/category, word count, title/subtitle
• The story description: the most critical query element; 150-300 words is sufficient for most narrative works
• Comp titles: required by most agents and publishers. Learn how to research your comps.
• Bio note: something about yourself, usually 50-100 words

She also says there are some good, natural openings that can get an agent’s attention:

• Maybe you’ve been vouched for or referred by an existing client or author; mention the referral right away.
• If you met the agent/editor at a conference or pitch event, and your material was requested, then put that upfront.
• Starting with your story is a classic opening—and my preferred opening—when you don’t necessarily have a good custom or personalized opening for the person you’re querying.
• Some queries start in an informational manner, which is also fine: “[Title] is an 80,000-word supernatural romance…”
• Published or credentialed writers might start with their successes, especially if they’ve won awards or received an MFA from a well-known school. However, few fiction writers begin their query by talking about themselves because most are unpublished. (This isn’t a problem, though.)

The query letter is a sales tool and its preparation should take as much time as it needs to get it right. It should also be tweaked and revised to improve results as needed.