Query Letter Writing and Review
You’ve finished your book, polished it through revisions, and now it’s time to pitch it to an agent and have it published. But where do you start? How do you address the key elements and themes of a longer story in a compelling way that catches their attention and persuades them to ask for a partial or full?
Learn how to get started working with a query letter review partner and how the collaborative process of query letter writing and review can make a difference for your agent pitching strategy.
What is a query letter?
A query letter is a letter written to an agent or publisher to influence them to consider publishing your book. While short, a query letter is often the first impression your audience has to know more about what you’ve written and what to expect in the story overall. A query letter often accompanies a synopsis of your manuscript as well as a portion of your story for review.
The query package as a whole which includes your letter should have a cohesive message and showcase your story in the best light while also fitting the criteria they share for submissions.
Your query letter is an integral element of your pitch package, and it’s not uncommon to feel stuck or unsure of how to begin. Working with an experienced query letter writer or having your existing letter revised elevates your materials.
Why Hire a Professional for Your Query Letter
While not a requirement, working with a partner to improve your existing query letter or create one for you puts your best foot forward with your package.
As an author, pitching your own can be one of the hardest parts of the publishing process, and the outside perspective of a professional allows you to focus on other tasks such as self editing your synopsis and the beginning part of your story that accompanies the letter.
What is Included in Your Query Letter Service
The process of writing or revising your query letter depends on if you have it completed already.
For Completed Query Letters Needing Revisions
If you have a query letter ready to review, the intake process involves learning about your story, existing pitch materials, and experience pitching to agents in the past. From there, I can review what you have written and make suggestions using Track Changes.
An optional call to clarify outstanding questions is also possible to ensure you are satisfied with the changes, but email often works for this part of the project.
For Authors Who Need a Full Query Letter Written
If you are looking for me to write your query letter, the process involves reading your manuscript in full, asking questions, and writing a draft of the letter for your review, then revisions follow.
An optional call after the draft has been completed may be useful to answer any questions you have or clarify the approach.
Cost of Query Letter Projects
The cost of query letter projects depend on what you’re looking for and are as follows:
- Query letter writing: $350 with up to 3 revisions
Query letter review: $225 with up to 3 revisions
Each requires an upfront payment and a signature on a contract we both sign. Each also includes a 30 minute call at the conclusion of the project if you have any questions.
Query Bundle
Struggling with your synopsis? Want to really polish your manuscript before an agent sees it? Ask about bundling your query letter project with another service!
Contact Me for Query Letter Review
Strengthen your pitch package with a query letter that shines. Contact me to get started!