What is a query letter and what should it include?

Your query introduces you and your book. There are myriad courses and articles on the Internet which can teach you how to write one of these jewels, but the three most important things to remember are:

• The opening hook followed by a short summary of the book;

• A little about yourself and your credentials and

• A request to send in a partial or full.

An editor or an agent will appreciate a succinct letter which delivers a powerful punch, and you will be one step closer to getting your work noticed. In summation, the query letter is a snapshot of your novel, designed to give the editor a quick, but powerful, look at your writing ability and your topic. While I know it might not seem fair that you’re judged on the query letter alone, think of the hundreds, no, thousands, of manuscripts an editor receives every year. A short, concise query letter enables an editor to see who you are, what you’ve written and how well you’ve written it without spending an hour reading a five page missive.

For more on writing query letters, visit the following links:

http://www.writerswrite.com/journal/apr98/keegan7.htm

http://www.poewar.com/how-to-write-a-query-letter

http://www.charlottedillon.com/query.html

What is a synopsis and what should it include?

Your synopsis is the book report of your manuscript. It needs to tell all without being too verbose. Without going into too much information, here are some quick steps to assembling a synopsis. It'll make it easier and give you a checklist to go by.

                     Determine your hook.

                     List at least three major points for each chapter of your book.

                     Determine if any of the points are unnecessary or redundant.

                     Write a paragraph about each main point.

                     Determine your ending.

The last step is a new one, but just as important as the opening hook. You want to leave the editor with a feeling of completion. Do not, under any circumstances, allude to a major plot point which you've neglected to include or end the synopsis with a question or without a wrap up.

For more on writing synopses, there are various websites online as well as books which give an in-depth view. Try visiting the following links:

http://www.writing-world.com/publish/synopsis.shtml

http://www.writing-world.com/publish/leblanc.shtml

http://www.charlottedillon.com/synopsis.html

What is a partial? How do I choose the chapters to include?

A partial is generally the first three consecutive chapters of your manuscript unless the publisher specifically asks for the first one hundred pages or so. If the publisher doesn’t specify, you’re safe to send the first three chapters.

How important is it for me to follow the publisher’s guidelines? Why?

Very. The guidelines are there for a reason. It makes the acquisition editor’s job easier and ensures the process flows as smoothly as possible. Skipping over parts of the guidelines only puts your novel at risk for a quick rejection.

What is the standard formatting I should use for my manuscript if the publisher doesn’t specify on its website?

Generally, you’re safe to use one inch margins all around, double-spaced, .5 indentations for paragraphs, Times New Roman, Arial, or Courier font, and consequential page numbers at the bottom of every page. You may want to include a header on your pages which includes your last name and the title of your novel; however, avoid the use of fancy fonts.

How long should I wait before I check on the status of my manuscript?

The length of time it takes for a publisher to review a manuscript varies depending upon the number of submissions received, the time of the year, and staffing. For smaller publishers, it’s acceptable to wait at least three months unless the publisher has specified the length of time on its submissions guidelines page. For larger publishers, you can usually expect at least a six month wait time, usually longer.

Is it okay for me to call and check on the status of my manuscript?

Not usually. It’s best to send an e-mail to the submissions department politely inquiring about the status of the manuscript. Be sure to include the date you submitted the manuscript and who requested it. This enables the responder to check the records much more quickly. Be prepared, though, to wait for a response, possibly even two weeks or more.

I’ve just gotten a “form rejection” letter. Is it acceptable to contact that publisher to ask why my book was actually rejected?

While there is no set yes or no answer to this, generally, if a publisher sends you a form rejection, it’s best to just file the letter and move on. Most publishers don’t have the time or resources to give detailed rejection letters.

Is it acceptable to query for more than one book at a time in the same query letter?

No. Most publishers are only interested in one book at a time. If the book you are querying is part of a series, you should feel free to mention that. Otherwise, just keep the focus to one book.

I sent a publisher my manuscript three months ago, and now I’ve finished another book I want to send in. Should I wait or go ahead and send it?

It’s perfectly acceptable to query the same publisher on a different work; however, your query letter is not the place to mention a previous submission or insert a subtle reminder that you still haven’t heard back regarding your first query.

The publisher’s guidelines say “no simultaneous submissions”, but I want to send my book to more than one publisher. What should I do?

Submit your book to the publishers who will take simultaneous submissions. If those publishers reject your book, then submit it to the publisher who requires no simultaneous submissions. Always follow the publisher’s guidelines when submitting.

I’ve heard that if my book is rejected, it’s okay to wait a couple of months and resubmit the same book to the same publisher because editors change all the time. Is that true?

No. High staff turnover is not necessarily true in the publishing industry, and if you resubmit the same rejected book, you run the risk of the same editor receiving it. In spite of what some of us think, editors do remember books they’ve read, and most publishers keep a log of submissions/rejections. If an editor receives a book he/she has previously rejected, it tends to make that editor more wary of future submissions from that author. 

I e-mailed a publisher to ask about where I should look for more information on writing synopses, query letters, etc., but I haven’t heard back. Is it acceptable to call them?

No. Most likely, you haven’t heard back because publishers don’t have the time or resources to help you get your book published. You need to do your own research by utilizing the Internet, your local library, or other published friends.

My first book just got accepted. When can I announce the news on my website, etc.?

Usually after the contract has been signed, but check with your publisher first.

Why is the publisher asking me about my marketing/promoting plans? Isn’t that something the publisher does?

I know it sounds strange, but promoting your book isn’t just your publisher’s responsibility. The book is yours and so is the job of marketing it. Even the biggest names in the publishing industry participate in promoting their novels, and you’ll be expected to do the same.

No one knows your work better than you. Yet, most new authors know little, if anything, about marketing their book so they’re caught off-guard when the acceptance comes. So begin your education about marketing now. Attend conferences and other writing get-togethers to learn from your fellow authors and read about marketing and promoting.

I’ve just received the contract for my book, but I don’t understand everything in it. Should I call the publisher to ask for clarification? Should I have an attorney look at the contract?

Contacting the publisher to ask for an explanation of sections you don’t understand is perfectly acceptable; however, if you’re not familiar with the terminology of a contract, it’s always best to have an attorney review the document.

I’ve signed my contract, but now I realize there was one thing I wanted to change. Is it too late?

More than likely. However, you can still ask the publisher for the change. It never hurts to ask, and sometimes, the publisher is willing to make a change after the contract has been signed.

An editor/agent has asked for exclusivity while they read my novel. What does this mean and how long should I wait?

Exclusivity is a period during which you do not send your novel to any other publisher, editor, or agent. Most of the time, the editor/agent who has asked for the exclusivity to read your novel will tell you how long they require. If not, don’t hesitate to ask and don’t feel like you have to give the exclusive right. The book is yours, and if you’d rather not keep it tied up for the time it takes an editor/agent to read it, then just politely decline or counter-offer with a shorter amount of time, especially if you have more than one agent/editor asking to read it.

Is it okay to ask a publisher who has previously rejected my book to take a look at my book if I’ve made substantial edits?

There is nothing wrong with querying a publisher again if you have made substantial edits to the book; however, you should note that the book was previously reviewed. You should let them know that you have substantially revised the book. However, please understand that if your book received a form rejection, you don’t know the “exact” reason for the rejection which means your book could have been rejected for any number of reasons. So edits may not make a difference in the publisher’s decision.

My book was rejected, but the editor gave me a lot of helpful information. Is it appropriate to send a thank you note to that editor?

Absolutely. However, you should keep it short and simple and not ask for additional information or critique.