Posted by Tim on August 04, 2007 at 18:08:05:
In Reply to: How to write a query letter to get an agent posted by JohnD on August 02, 2007 at 12:07:56:
: I'm getting ready to try to find a literary agent for a novel I'm getting close to finishing. I hear you have to write the agent a query letter that explains what your novel is about, but I don't know how much to tell. Is there a "right" way to write a query letter?
Wow. Now there's a big subject. Lots of info on the internet and most of them disagree with each other. The basic idea seems to be to get the agent's attention. In other words, to make your first-draft novel stand out from the thousands of other first-draft novels they receive every day.
Seriously though, there are a few basic requirements:
- Get the agent's name right.
- Find out if they really do represent your type of novel.
- Spell and punctuate everything correctly.
- Don't send the manuscript unless asked.
- Make it interesting (really, really interesting).
Hope that helps.