By Penny Nolan
Ok, this is a biggie. Queries are very important. A query is the business cover letter for the manuscript you are submitting when trying to get published. It is your chance to entice the agent, editor, or publisher to read your manuscript. It is only about half a page. So, write to grab their attention fast. There are plenty of resources out there about how to write query letters, but here’s how I write mine. I don’t indent paragraphs, single space, and double-space between paragraphs. 12 font, Times Roman.
Start with the person’s name. Make sure to spell it right. All your contact info can be at the bottom of the query. No date is needed because everything is sent by email or through Query Manager.
Dear Ms. Smith:
The first paragraph is why you have chosen that particular agent (or editor, publisher.) They want to know you have researched them or if you met them at a conference. Then, quickly describe the book. The title is in caps, then the genre, word count, and for what age.
The second paragraph is the pitch. This is a one to three-sentence description of the book. Make sure you have a one-sentence pitch ready because if your agent uses Query Manager, you’ll need it. In step four of my blog, there is more information about pitches. The first sentence is about who the character is. The second sentence states their problem. The third sentence hints at the resolution. Do not give away the ending unless you are writing a non-fiction picture book. Here is the shortcut - This is the character, but there is a problem, so here’s how he resolved it. The pitch should demonstrate your wonderful writing skills and reflect the tone of the book.
The third paragraph is about who the book will appeal to. You need two comparison books. Comp books are examples of which books your book will sit next to on the shelf. Agents want to know how to market your book. Write why they are either similar or different. Give titles, publishers, and years. Comp books shouldn’t be more than 5 years old.
The fourth paragraph is your bio. Any writing background usually goes at the top, or special information that makes you an expert on the information in your book. Then any interesting info about you that the agent would want to know. The agent wants a good partnership too!
Then a signature stating that you look forward to hearing from them.
After the signature comes all your contact info and hopefully lots of social media contacts.
It is a good idea to put your title in upper case letters three times in the query so that it is memorable. Here is a sample of mine, excluding contact info:
Dear Ms. Smith:
I read on your website that you are interested in picture books with surprises. I am submitting to you MAVERICK’S RIDE, 650 words for ages 5-8 with a surprise ending.
MAVERICK’S RIDE: Maverick is a rookie carousel horse who joins a team of experienced horses who try desperately to discourage Maverick’s thirst for freedom and to accept his fate. But when Maverick finally breaks free of his pole, he loses the security of the carousel, is thrust into the unknown, and discovers he is not alone!
My book will appeal to fans of Sophie Blackall’s If I Was a Horse published by Little, Brown, and Company (2023) with the desire for freedom to be yourself and Julio Torres/Julian Glander’s I Want to be a Vase published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers (2022) about breaking free of the status quo and taking a chance on the unknown.
My debut picture book Jess and the Monstrous Mess will be published by Lawley Publishers in 2025. In 2022, my MG novel excerpt about a secret society of teachers was a finalist for the Kids’ Choice Kidlit writing contest. I have taught at Pinewood Elementary School in Los Altos CA for 28 years and currently enjoy painting sets for their plays. My paintings can be viewed at pennynolan.com. I am a member of SCBWI and 12 x 12, belong to two children’s literature critique groups, and attend numerous conferences and workshops for this genre.
Thank you for considering my picture book MAVERICK’S RIDE. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Penny Nolan
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