Alle shares her Perfect, Six-Sentence Agent Query Letter

Worksheet available! Plus a sample query letter.

A.   Paragraph 1: Greeting      

1.     Agent’s Full Name

2.     Title (if necessary)

3.     Do not use Ms/Mr/Mx/etc, unless you are certain of gender identity.

B. Paragraph 2: Introduction

1. (So-and-so famous writer and/or client and/or friend of yours) suggested that I contact you. Or:

2. When last we communicated, you kindly asked to see more work. (Or use their exact words.) Or:

3. When I read (author’s name) (book name, in italics), I knew I had to submit to you because (one-sentence reason);

THEN:

4. After whichever of the above works for you, add:

a. Thus, today I am sending (word-length)-(genre), (title in italics) (one clause description):

            i. “a female Breaking Bad meets Bangkok 8;”

            ii. “What would ensure if Toni Morrison wrote Jaws.”

b. Do not use a question. Use a statement.

C. Paragraph 3: Alle’s Perfect 4-6-Sentence Synopsis

1. Protagonist and initial situation, motivation, and conflict;

2. Antagonist and conflicting motivation;

3. Turning point –The Hook;

a. Appx 1/3 of the way through the book;

b. Start sentence with:

i. Because of her (idea)

ii. Due to her (skill)

iii. Encountering (event, place, or person)

4. Protagonist’s aspiration:

a. Use sweeping sentence starting with:

i. Decides to

ii. Embarks on

iii. Cannot resist

iv. Despite all

b. Do not use a question. Make it a statement.

D. Paragraph 4: (Optional; or use this info in bio below signature)

1. Choose one:

   a. interviewed (notable writer);

   b. published (name of piece in quotation marks) in (name of magazine or journal in italics)

2. My full bio is below.

3. DO NOT BRING UP YOUR CAT. They all say that, at panels: NO CATS.

E. Paragraph 5: Sign-off

1. Thank you for your time,

2. Your name.

F. Paragraph 6: Your Bio.

1. The bio should be written in 3rd person.

2. Make it a paragraph, not bullet-points.

3. List your most prestigious publications and awards first; UNLESS your degree or profession is the more relevant

a. “ … is the senior nonfiction editor of …”  

b. “ … graduated with MFA from … “

4. Don’t feel you have to list all pubs. Three gives a sense of what you have accomplished.

5. It’s always best to show that you have been published, but if you have not, simply say, “This is my first submission.”