The Query Letter: Format and Function
A query letter is a one-page business letter to a literary agent requesting that they read your manuscript. It is the first impression of your professionalism, your story, and your ability to communicate both clearly and compellingly — in short, your ability to write. Agents receive hundreds of queries per week and spend 30–60 seconds reading each one. The format must be professional and the sequence must be precise. The correct sequence: Opening hook (1–2 sentences) — grab the agent's attention with the story's core premise or a provocative question or scenario. This is not a rhetorical question ('Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to...') — agents find this approach amateurish. It is a direct, compelling statement of the story's central situation. Manuscript information (1 sentence) — title, genre, word count (fiction: 70,000–100,000 words for most genres; literary fiction up to 110,000; debut novels over 120,000 are a hard sell), and whether the manuscript is complete. Plot summary (1–3 paragraphs) — character + inciting incident + central conflict + stakes + a hint of the choice or resolution. The summary should not reveal the ending unless the agent's guidelines request it. Do not summarize the entire plot — evoke the experience of reading. Comparable titles ('comps') (1 sentence) — two recently published (within 5 years) books that share genre, tone, and audience with yours. 'My book is like Harry Potter meets The Hunger Games' is too broad and too old; 'My book will appeal to readers of Celeste Ng's Everything I Never Told You and Brit Bennett's The Vanishing Half' demonstrates market awareness. Author bio (1–2 sentences) — relevant credentials (published fiction, writing MFA, relevant expertise if the book is based on your profession). If you have no credentials, do not apologize — simply omit. Closing line — thank the agent for their time and confirm the manuscript is available upon request.