PUBLISHERS, AGENTS AND FILMS
Connecting Writers to Publishers, Agents, and the Film Industry
(THIS MIGHT BE A SUBHEADING UNDER WRITING SERVICES OR A LINK FROM THE MAIN PAGE IN A WINDOW. I’M PRESUMING WE SHOULD MAKE THIS AVAILABLE TO POTENTIAL CLIENTS RATHER THAN ONLY FOR PAID CLIENTS).
WRITING A GOOD QUERY
When you send a query out through our service, the email goes out under your name and email address and is personalized to each recipient, who will respond directly to you. Don’t use any bold, italics, or underlined words, since this will go out as a text query, which is more likely to be received and read. A text message doesn’t recognize these special fonts and will turn anything into a text format. Instead, use CAPS for book, script, or film titles to make them stand out.
The key to a successful email query is writing a good query letter. When you order our query service, you will get some additional guidelines for writing your query. You can obtain a book we recommend on writing queries, SELL YOUR BOOK, SCRIPT, OR COLUMN, which is available on AMAZON. http://www.amazon.com/Sell-Your-Book-Script-Column/dp/1466291648/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1385347545&sr=8-3&keywords=sell+your+book%2C+script%2C+or+column, also available in a Kindle Edition.
A successful query, which is about 300-400 words, and no more than 500 words, includes these key components:
1) A strong subject line to attract interest; it should indicate specifically what your book or script is about. Use Title Case or Sentence case; avoid all-caps, which comes across as shouting.
2) A short summary statement of 1 or 2 sentences highlighting what the book or script is about and what makes it especially interesting and salable.
3) Two to three paragraphs describing the plot of a fiction book or main topics covered in a nonfiction book. You can use bullet points to indicate the plot points or main topics.
4) A sentence or two about the key selling points of the book or script and why it will appeal to your main audience.
5) A short paragraph about your background, which might include what inspired the book or script and recent highlights about previous publications or films, writing, and relevant work experience. Don’t include your degrees in college or university. Avoid any explanations about how this is your first book or script, if a first time author.
6) A sentence or two about any PR, promotion, or speaking engagements you have already gotten, including any significant social media following, and your plans to help support the book or film.
7) A final sentence or two indicating that if the recipient is interested, you would be glad to submit a more detailed synopsis, proposal, sample chapters, or the complete manuscript. Be prepared to follow up after your mailing within a week or 10 days. You might conclude with a comment about how you hope to hear from them and discuss the project further. Avoid thanking the recipient, since this sounds like you are begging for their attention, rather than offering them an opportunity to publish or represent a good and highly salable book or script.
If you are submitting a picture book (normally up to 300-800 words, up to 1000 max) or sample article to pitch an article or column, you can include that sample at the end of your query letter after your signature in the body of the text. But no attachments, unless requested, since people often will not open them.