Your blog warned me that even a single typo in my query could ruin my chances with an agent, so I’m spending the next hour fine tooth combing today’s query letter to make sure there isn’t a single misplaced comma or missing period. While I’m doing that, you might want to check out your own website, especially the part where you announce that your latest novel will be published in January…2013.

Yup. True story (as always).

Or, maybe I should add ‘for me.’ At least I get a little better at it each time I write one, which also means I realize how bad and/or inadequate the ones I wrote before it were. As a novice I started by Googling ‘How to write a query letter’ in a variety of permutations. I got 6,920,000 results. Honestly! Try it, you’ll see. So here are the elements of a good query. I hope it helps you as much as it’s helped me.

1. The query should be very personal or written in the style of the book, or like a business letter.

2. The synopsis should be 3 pages or two paragraphs

3. The synopsis should read like copy on the back cover of a novel, or read like a synopsis except don’t give away the ending, or give away the ending

4. Always start with a one sentence hook, start with a few actual lines from the book, or a hook is completely unnecessary. 

5. Your bio should give the reader a feeling for who you are, or only mention publishing credits, or it’s not really relevant. 

There are many other wonderful pieces of advice, but you are already on your third glass of wine, so you don’t care anymore.