Admin please respond

**JT Billow** · February 21st, 2010, 11:58 PM

Any Admin,

Could we develop a sticky thread that is solely dedicated to writers posting query letters and getting feedback? Yes, I understand there is a grammar query thread, yet there really is nothing there having to do with queries, just a mundane debate about grammar. This would be appreciated...

**Holbrook** · February 22nd, 2010, 12:31 AM

Not an admin, but we have an earlier thread that has loads of good info on;

http://www.sffworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8791

**JT Billow** · February 22nd, 2010, 10:06 AM

Good thread, not the easiest or most current to find for new members...

And in the four year period since it started, has there been any changes in requirements by agents and/or publishers?

**Holbrook** · February 22nd, 2010, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by JT Billow

Good thread, not the easiest or most current to find for new members...

And in the four year period since it started, has there been any changes in requirements by agents and/or publishers?

The only advice I can give is study the submission details for each agent you are querying and follow them to the letter. Tailor each query/submission to that agent/publisher.

Each will ask for different things. Everything from a one page email query to a snail mail synopsis and first three chapters.

If they ask for your query written in the blood of your first born

do it!

**KatG** · February 22nd, 2010, 12:18 PM

We've been trying to keep the number of Sticky threads down to reasonable levels, but I'll talk to the Staff about turning the query letter into one and whether we think that will work for the forum. We instituted the questions about publishing Sticky thread, so we might combine query letters with that.

As for things changing in four years, the point of the query letter remains the same. The form of the query letter may change slightly, in that for an e-mail query letter, the agent may ask for a briefer letter, or you can get away with a somewhat longer plot synopsis than 2 pages. The best thing to do is to check the publisher and agent submission guidelines and follow them (blood will not be required.) If you run into a guideline you're not sure about, you can ask the publisher or agency for more info, and you can also ask back here at the forum.

The goal for the editor or agent who reads a query is simple -- information as clear and concise as possible about the central aspects of your novel -- plot, setting, emotional character conflict. They don't want to be teased, they don't want to be advertised to, they read hundreds of query letters a week. And keep in mind, they aren't all looking for the same things or see the market in the same way, so if one doesn't love you, it doesn't mean that you are doomed.