How to Submit a Query Letter

<P>I’ve included two examples to get you started:</P>
<P>An actual query letter of mine is included. The manuscript names is real, and was "going the rounds" to find a publisher for it. I worked extensively with my editor on "<B>Sacred Honor</B>", before we decided it was ready for marketing. PublishAmerica<B> </B>released<B> Sacred Honor"</B> in July 2003.</P>
<P align=center>The plot synopsis of "<B>Sacred Honor"</B> is included.<BR><B>Sample of a Synopsis<BR>As part of the article – Query Letters<BR>Lillian Cauldwell</P></B>
<P>Lillian Cauldwell<BR>Writing as Elizabeth Caldwell<BR><A href="mailto:escauldwell@myfictionaldomain.com">escauldwell@myfictionaldo main.com</A></P>
<P>Synopsis for "Sacred Honor"</P>
<P>In 1776, Benjamin Thompson, a British spy for General Gage in Boston, makes a deal with Lord Germain, to be put In charge of the American Colonies. Thompson would time travel into the future, 2276, steal the Declaration of Independence, return with the document to 1774 and sell it to Lord Germain for wealth, position and power.</P>
<P>In 2276, Huey T. Stone, the governor of the mid-Atlantic City States, wants to destroy the Declaration of Independence and replace it with his own version of history. He manipulates two paramilitary cadets, Abidemi Black, granddaughter to Mbakondja, and Mark Monsanto, a former displaced person, and orders them to steal the Declaration and bring it back to him.</P>
<P>Neither Benjamin Thompson nor Huey T. Stone is aware that there are three people determined to stop them.</P>
<P>Mbakondja, leader of The Regulators, an organization established during the Revolutionary War in the South to protect Blacks form the British, disagrees with Huey’s grand vision of a new America and rebels against his authority.</P>
<P>Miriam Haleen, leader of a street gang, The Mechanics, is betrayed by Huey, and she joins forces with Mbakondja temporarily to get her revenge against Stone.</P>
<P>Betsy Freeman, double agent to Dr. Franklin and Lord Germain in 1776 and known as Lizzie Freeman in 2276, wants to eliminate Huey T. Stone permanently from office and imprison him with Britain’s enemies, the Spaniards.</P>
<P>Don Honeyman, an agent for the British in 2276, switches sides and joins forces with Mbakondja’s when he learns that Huey T. Stone plans on unifying the America city states and rule over them.</P>
<P>Taken by surprise, Huey T. Stone is deported to Florida Mbakondja learns that Abidemi died overseas and only Mark returns with Don. Mbakondja sends them west, out of reach of Betsy Freeman, and tells them to stay in touch.</P>
<P>Miriam Haleen thwarted by Betsy’s plan, lies low and waits for Betsy to make her final moves.</P>
<P>Betsy’s operatives’ raid Mbakondja’s apartment, and they don’t find anyone there. This time, Betsy Freeman lost the battle, but not the way.</P>
<P align=center></P><B>
<P align=center>Sample of a Query Letter<BR></B>Lillian Cauldwell</P>
<P>Elizabeth Caldwell<BR>25 xxxxx Road<BR>City, State 11111<BR>(555) 555-555<BR><A href="mailto:ecauldwell@myfictionaldomain.com">ecauldwell@myfictiona ldomain.com</A><BR>August 19, 2002</P>
<P>Ms. YYYY, Editorial Manager<BR>Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing<BR>P.O. Box zzzzz<BR>City, State 11111</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>Dear Ms. YYYY:</P>
<P>What happens if an American Tory in 1776 travels to the future, 2276, steals a key political do cument, goes back in time to 1774 and hands it over to England’s commander in charge of the American colonies? An alternate world, or does the world remain the same?</P>
<P>"Sacred Honor" is a speculative historical novel with a word count of 72,660.</P>
<P>My previous credits include one non-fiction book, "Teenagers! A Bewildered Parent’s Guide," published in 1996. which sold three to five thousand copies. Unfortunately, book sales quickly decreased when Silvercat Publications’ book distributor, Atrium, declared bankruptcy and failed to honor its contracts.</P>
<P>I have also donated four science fiction short stories: "Joys of Spring"; "Mask, A Modern Fairy Tale"; "Lottery"; and "Lady in the Lamp" for charity at Sime~Gen, Inc., owned by Jacqueline Lichtenberg and Jean Lorrah.</P>
<P>My pen name is Lillian Cauldwell. The first three chapters, query letter, synopsis/outline are disposable copy. I hope that you find "Sacred Honor" intriguing enough to consider publishing by your firm. I look forward to hearing from you.</P>
<P>Cordially,</P>
<P>Elizabeth Caldwell</P>