How to write a query letter

And we share the letter that secured us a literary agent in 2018

I have a confession to make…

I really like editing query letters.

As a freelance editor and mentor for the last seven years I’ve helped countless writers and illustrators hone their query letters. Now I’m going to share the advice I’ve given them with you.

I’m also going to share the query letter I wrote that secured James and I an agent back in 2018.

What is a query letter?

If you want to find a literary agent to represent you, you will need to have a finished manuscript and/or illustration portfolio, a synopsis if you’re writing fiction and a query letter ready.

The aim of the query letter is to introduce yourself and your work in a polite, engaging way so that the agent in question wants to look at what you’ve sent.

You only get one shot to make a first impression and the letter, or in reality email, is the first thing an agent, or their assistant will read, so it needs to be good.

Query letters can be tricky to write but they’re really worth spending time on. When we asked agent Kesia Lupo what she thinks the biggest mistake people make when submitting to an agent she said:

Probably spending hours honing their opening chapters but then writing a query letter that isn't strong enough to even get agents to read those chapters. The query letter is SO important!

The letter James and I sent back in 2018 was unusual in some ways in that it was a joint letter as we were a husband and wife team seeking representation.

(If you are a writer who doesn’t illustrate, or visa versa, don’t worry. Publishers are experts at matching illustrators with texts.)

As well as sharing what I sent out in 2018, I’ve broken down the structure so you can apply it to your own query letter and have included some top tips too.

So, without further ado, here is the query letter that secured us an agent seven years ago…