Query dilemma.

[Guest]

Hi. Sidd here. Got a question for anyone who's had any success with publishing:

I'm trying to find an agent for my book, recently finished while serving in Iraq. I've been approaching agents for about a month online, and today one contacted me, asking for a sample of the work. Format guidelines are precise, and must include both the sample as well as the original one-page query letter. Format is 12 point, Times New, double-spaced.

My original query letter takes up an entire page, single-spaced. Attempting to double it violates one parameter of the guideline, while truncating the letter violates the precept of originality. It's a relatively trivial matter, but I want this manuscript to be as presentable as possible. I don't wish to turn them off by either violating instructions, or creating a verbose, cluttered mess. I just received the notice this morning,and I'm trying to get some other opinions.

So I ask you: Expand the query-letter-spacing, or simply edit it? Which would make the best impression on an agent?

 

[jomar]

Welcome to the AH.

There was a thread awhile back where this kind of stuff was mentioned. I'll poke around, but maybe someone will remember it. Someone will answer directly as well, I'm sure.

 

[ms.read]

Edit it. get it down to the bare bones and then build up again once you have the format into place. Publishers get pissy about their formats not being followed and your manuscript will go into the recycle bin.

 

[sr71plt]

I work in mainstream publishing (including acquisitions). It's unusual that double-spacing would be required for the query letter, but if that's what they specify, that's what they mean/want (But I'd recheck that if I were you, because it does matter a lot). And, yes, the assignment is to stay within the bounds of what they give (including no noticably narrow margins). At this stage, they will be looking for any excuse to pitch it on the "no" pile. Cutsy won't hack it.

This is your first and most crucial test (unless you are a celebrity for some reason, and then that's just about all you have to put in a query letter). A good writer can, in fact, whittle the wordage down to almost any length, as long as they are clear on what is needed--what the agent/publisher is looking for (and this is part of what they are testing you for at this stage).

The first sentence must be a grabber (and if you've gone over the page limit and it isn't, you've already lost the game). The letter should clearly identify the books' genre and approximate wordage (from a computer count; number of pages does them no good). It should include a succinct, well-written paragraph on what your book is about and information on who it's targeted at. Then a paragraph on why the agent/publisher must buy it (usually both topical and unique--ahead of the market) and what your background is in being the most qualified person to have written it.

The paragraph on the storyline shouldn't be the same as a blurb on the book. You must fully reveal the hook (the special twist of the book that sets it apart) and the conclusion. This is the biggest selling point of the book for an agent/publisher.

You get bonus points if you can include a (believable) winning sales angle you can bring to the table ("My daddy is CEO of Barnes and Noble and my mother is senior acquisitions editor for Simon and Schuster.").

You can also get bonus points by being able to related what you have to what the specific agent/publisher specializes in and makes good money from.

Also, if you feel you must hedge on giving any of the information above, you are already losing--you've identified the weakness(es) in the book project. Agents/publishers are experts in identifying the weaknesses in the proposal. Trying to hide it somehow and leave the impression its covered will only make the query worse.

 

[Guest]

I work in mainstream publishing (including acquisitions). It's unusual that double-spacing would be required for the query letter, but if that's what they specify, that's what they mean/want (But I'd recheck that if I were you, because it does matter a lot). And, yes, the assignment is to stay within the bounds of what they give (including no noticably narrow margins). At this stage, they will be looking for any excuse to pitch it on the "no" pile. Cutsy won't hack it.

This is your first and most crucial test (unless you are a celebrity for some reason, and then that's just about all you have to put in a query letter). A good writer can, in fact, whittle the wordage down to almost any length, as long as they are clear on what is needed--what the agent/publisher is looking for (and this is part of what they are testing you for at this stage).

The first sentence must be a grabber (and if you've gone over the page limit and it isn't, you've already lost the game). The letter should clearly identify the books' genre and approximate wordage (from a computer count; number of pages does them no good). It should include a succinct, well-written paragraph on what your book is about and information on who it's targeted at. Then a paragraph on why the agent/publisher must buy it (usually both topical and unique--ahead of the market) and what your background is in being the most qualified person to have written it.

The paragraph on the storyline shouldn't be the same as a blurb on the book. You must fully reveal the hook (the special twist of the book that sets it apart) and the conclusion. This is the biggest selling point of the book for an agent/publisher.

You get bonus points if you can include a (believable) winning sales angle you can bring to the table ("My daddy is CEO of Barnes and Noble and my mother is senior acquisitions editor for Simon and Schuster.").

You can also get bonus points by being able to related what you have to what the specific agent/publisher specializes in and makes good money from.

Also, if you feel you must hedge on giving any of the information above, you are already losing--you've identified the weakness(es) in the book project. Agents/publishers are experts in identifying the weaknesses in the proposal. Trying to hide it somehow and leave the impression its covered will only make the query worse.

Okay, so you're saying it should be edited for conciseness and clarity. I get that. But about the spacing?--will they be upset even if the letter is in MLA Business format. That's a hard style to mistake--are you sure they won't accept that as a professional cover letter? Right now, edited to a minimum, the query runs just over one page, double-spaced. The current version both meets the length requirement, and also looks more polished. What do you think?

 

[sr71plt]

Okay, so you're saying it should be edited for conciseness and clarity. I get that. But about the spacing?--will they be upset even if the letter is in MLA Business format. That's a hard style to mistake--are you sure they won't accept that as a professional cover letter? Right now, edited to a minimum, the query runs just over one page, double-spaced. The current version both meets the length requirement, and also looks more polished. What do you think?

I believe I said to follow the requirements they gave you (second clause of second sentence in my first paragraph). You specified requirements and I suggested you double check their requirement for double spacing. It's unusual to require double spacing for the query letter--and you may be looking at the requirement for the text and other documentation they are asking for rather than for the query letter.

I can't answer what their requirements are unless you lead me to a Web site providing them. You'll have to figure that out from what you've researched.

I can tell you that if they said one page and you've given two pages and you don't say something like "I'm that bestselling author, J. K. Rowling" in the first sentence, your proposal is toast.


This is an example, by the way, of how agents/publishers whittle down their "to consider" list. Writers are pretty much an out-of-the-box group. But there's so much supply out there now that agents/publishers like to concentrate on organized/compliant authors in their stables. Not being able to read/absorb/follow directions is a first-line weedout mechanism.

 

[NoJo]

How come such a lot of crap gets published?

 

[jomar]

How come such a lot of crap gets published?

A lot of people are good at following the submission requirements, of course.

 

[NoJo]

A lot of people are good at following the submission requirements, of course.

That's why I write for lit. I can follow their requirements. Just about.

 

[oggbashan]

How come such a lot of crap gets published?

It's like entering a write-in competition.

If you don't follow their rules EXACTLY - your entry is rejected.

If you do? You have a chance.

Ticking ALL the boxes of their requirements gets you past the hurdle at which many fall.

Og

 

[sr71plt]

How come such a lot of crap gets published?

If the readers buy it and then buy more of it, the publishers don't consider it crap.

Of course "crap" in publishing is defined as "someone's work other than my golden prose," right?