SIX THING TO AVOID IN A QUERY

by J. A. Konrath

1. Don’t be needy. Pros don’t mope and moan about how hard the publishing biz is, or beg to be read. I once started a query, “I’ve had forty rejections on this book so far, but I’m not giving up yet.” Do you think the editor even bothered to look at the manuscript?

2. Don’t be cocky. Telling the editor or agent how rich you’ll make them, or how brilliant your idea is, always backfires. For my fourth unpublished novel, I send out a query that stated, “Here’s your next blockbuster.” Among the form letter rejections I received, one had a hand-written note that said, “Guess again.”

3. Don’t use fancy paper. There are many wonderful colors and patterns of paper available at the office supply store. I’ve used pink, blue with white clouds, intricate Aztec borders, and paper that appeared to be stained with blood. The rejections I got back were on plain, white, 20# bond, because that’s what professionals use.

4. Don’t use fancy font. Stick with Times New Roman, Arial, or Courier, 12 pt and double spaced. I tried sending a query once using an exotic, caligraphy font, because I thought it made me stand out and appear intelligent. The agent returned it asking, “Next time, submit in English.”

5. Don’t include a SASE. Everyone in NY requests that you send a self addressed stamped envelope for a reply. In fairness to the publishing biz, they get a ton of unsolicited manuscripts every day, and couldn’t afford to send rejection letters to everyone out of their own pocket. Keep in mind that SASEs are for rejections. In fact, it makes it even easier for them to reject you. If they want your work, they’ll gladly spring for the stamp, or call on the phone. Do you think Tom Clancy sends SASEs?

6. Don’t address is to unknowns. Dear Editor and Dear Sir letters get thrown away. Find out who the editor is, and then call up and make sure that editor still works there. Publishing is a turbulent business, and editors and agents are constantly moving from house to house. Make sure you’ve addressed you package to a real person who still works there.