CHAPTER 8 WRITING A QUERY |
Writing an article or book takes a lot of time, and mailing a finished manuscript to one publisher after another can become a real drag after a while. This doesn't even consider the expense of postage to and from the publisher, and the emotional toll of all those reject slips. Querying the editor can save you a lot of time, money, and acid indigestion. This gives the editor an opportunity to see your work, and tells you whether or not the publisher has an interest in the subject you have in mind. Often you can query the editor before you have finished writing your manuscript, and thus assure yourself of an interested market before investing all that time and energy in completing your project. Here are a few points to consider when you write a query letter: 1. Make it brief. Keep the letter itself to one page in length. This will assure the editor that you're not wordy. 2. Stick to the subject at hand. Don't clutter up the letter with a lot of other issues. 3. Items you need to cover in the letter: a. Establish the need for your material--why you think the subject should be b. Describe the audience for whom you planned the manuscript. c. State the reason why you feel your manuscript will meet the need. d. Suggest the format you feel would best suit this type of material. e. Tell the editor why you believe you are qualified to write on this subject. f. State the size of the manuscript in pages. g. Briefly describe the items you have enclosed: i. Table of Contents ii. Brief outline iii. Sample pages (at least two chapters, if a book.) 4. Make sure your name and address are clearly marked on all the materials. 5. If you have already written the manuscript, send it along with your letter. 6. Keep a good copy for yourself in case the editor's dog thinks your manuscript is his dinner. 7. Enclose an SASE if you want your manuscript back. An example query letter has been attached.
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