Savannah Gilbo, a writer and expert in query letters, shares tips on writing a compelling query letter that grabs agents' attention. Topics include the importance of query letters, how to write one effectively, troubleshooting if it's not working, and final thoughts. Learn the key components needed to craft an engaging query letter for literary agents and editors.
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Start Query Letter Early
Write your query letter once you feel good about your story's overall shape.
Starting early gives you time to revise and perfect your query alongside your manuscript.
insights INSIGHT
High Query Volume Challenges
Agents can get thousands of queries monthly, so standing out is crucial.
The quality of your query letter can determine if your manuscript gets read or ignored.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Personalize Each Query
Personalize each query letter with a specific reason for querying the agent.
This shows you've done your homework and aren't just sending mass queries.
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“I recommend working on your query letter as soon as you feel good enough about the overall shape of your story.” - Savannah Gilbo
Agents and editors must sort through hundreds of query letters to find an outstanding story. So, how do you write a query letter that catches their attention and makes them want to read more? Tune into this episode to learn how to write a query letter that works! Here’s a preview of what’s included:
[01:31] What are query letters, and why are they important?
[03:46] How to write a query letter.
[14:49] How to troubleshoot your query letter if it’s too long or not working.
[18:02] Final thoughts and episode recap
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