Writing the perfect query.

Everyone that's ever written a query knows this trauma. So many of us who can write, edit and rewrite a novel, struggle over a one page letter describing said novel. There are no standards. No sentence by sentence outline on what to write.

The main objective is to let the agent/editor know what your book is about, what makes it special. Hook them. Sell them. Some want to know about your writing credentials. Some don't. Some insist that it is just courteous to thank them for their time. Some are put off by that.

IMHO there is only one way to do it. Focus on the hook of the book.

In the first paragraph you flatter them, note the genre and word count. You should include a one sentence hook.

In the second paragraph blurb about the novel.

In the third paragraph conclude the letter. Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you. Give contact information.

Doesn't sound too hard does it? For some of us it's murder.

Well, I've just the read the best description of how to write a query letter here:

http://misssnark.blogspot.com/2007/04/yea-this-works.html

If nothing else, it may make you smile and relax enough to take another stab at that letter.

Good Luck. :)