The Writers Digest Guide To Query Letters »

Wendy Burt-Thomas is the author of more than 1,000 published articles, reviews, essays and short stories. Her work has appeared in such publications as NewYorkTimes.com, MSNBC.com, The Writer, Family Circle, and many others. She is the author of Oh, Solo Mia! The Hip Chick's Guide to Fun for One, and Work It, Girl! 101 Tips for the Hip Working Chick.

Make That Crucial, Positive First Impression

Anyone who's researched the marketplace knows: The path to publication begins with your query letter. If your query is weak, unfocused, or uninspired, an editor or agent won't even bother to request your article, novel manuscript, or nonfiction book proposal. But a well-crafted, compelling query sent to the right editor or agent is an essential sales tool for fiction writers and the most effective way for nonfiction writers to pre-sell your idea.

In this book, professional freelance writer and magazine editor Wendy Burt-Thomas shares practical advice on how to craft persuasive letters that connect with editors and agents and ultimately generate sales for you. You'll learn how to:

• Conduct targeted research to find suitable editors and agents
• Hook an editor with a tantalizing lead and shape a summary that compels editors to buy
• Select the strongest slant for your book or article
• Use research and interview shortcuts that keep your query prep profitable
• Make your query rejection-proof by weeding out subtle mistakes that can sabotage your project
• Communicate your author platform and sell yourself as the best writer for the subject

Complete with dozens of sample queries - some that landed article assignments, agents, or book deals, and others that never stood a chance - this book offers you a comprehensive strategy for presenting your writing ideas in a way that will increase your chances of publication. Though the title may lead some to believe it's strictly to be shelved as a reference manual, The Writer's Digest Guide to Query Letters is a smooth read from cover to cover.

Introduction: Up for the Challenge? 1

What's a Query Anyway? 1

Why Use a Query Letter? 2

Who Writes Queries? 3

Knowing When You're Ready 3

The Ever-Evolving Query Letter 4

Ch. 1 Query Basics 9

Ch. 2 Article Queries 34

Ch. 3 Nonfiction Book Queries 72

Ch. 4 Novel Queries 122

Ch. 5 Agent Queries 145

Ch. 6 Following Up 189

Ch. 7 Other Forms of Correspondence 202

App Resources and Glossary of Terms 214

For Further Study 216