How to Write a Query Letter That Gets Literary Agents' Attention
Your query letter is your first (and sometimes only) chance to grab a literary agent's attention. It's the elevator pitch for your book—a short, compelling introduction that convinces an agent to request your manuscript.
But with hundreds of queries flooding agents' inboxes every week, how do you make yours stand out?
In this guide, we'll break down:
- ✅ What agents look for in a query letter
- ✅ A step-by-step template for writing a great query
- ✅ Common query mistakes (and how to fix them)
- ✅ How to personalize your pitch for better results
Let's get started!
What is a Query Letter? (And Why Does It Matter?)
A query letter is a one-page pitch introducing your book to a literary agent. It should:
- ✔ Clearly explain what your book is about
- ✔ Show why your book is marketable
- ✔ Give a brief bio about you as the author
- ✔ Follow industry-standard formatting
📌 Tip: Think of your query letter as a sales pitch—your goal is to intrigue the agent enough to request your manuscript.
🔗 Related Read: How to Find the Right Literary Agent in 2025: New Trends & Smart Strategies
Query Letter Structure: A Step-by-Step Guide
Your query letter should be short, polished, and professional—ideally 250-300 words. Here's the basic format:
📌 1. Personal Greeting
- ✅ Address the agent by name (never use "Dear Agent").
- ✅ Mention why you're querying them specifically (e.g., "I saw on Manuscript Wish List that you're looking for psychological thrillers.").
💡 Example:
Dear [Agent's Name],
I'm reaching out because I believe my psychological thriller, The Last Witness, would be a great fit for your list. I saw in a recent interview that you're looking for high-stakes thrillers with unreliable narrators, and I think my novel aligns perfectly.
📌 2. The Hook (Your Opening Line)
Your first sentence should instantly capture the agent's interest.
- ✅ Introduce the main conflict or question driving your story.
- ✅ Keep it short, engaging, and high-impact.
💡 Example Opening Lines:
🚀 "What if your worst memory wasn't yours at all?" (Psychological thriller)
🔥 "A teenage hacker accidentally takes down the world's biggest bank—now she's running for her life." (YA thriller)
💔 "When Emily's fiancé vanishes the night before their wedding, she receives a text: 'I made a mistake. Don't look for me.'" (Suspense)
🕵️♂️ "When a small-town librarian finds a decades-old missing person's case hidden in the margins of a returned book, she realizes the last person to check it out was the victim." (Mystery/Crime)
💖 "After accidentally texting her ex instead of her therapist, Claire finds herself in an unexpected conversation that reignites old sparks—and old wounds." (Romance)
📌 Tip: Your hook should feel like the tagline on a movie poster—intriguing and concise.
📌 3. The Book Pitch (Short Synopsis)
Now that you've hooked the agent, give them a snapshot of your story:
- ✅ Who is the main character?
- ✅ What's their goal or conflict?
- ✅ What's at stake if they fail?
💡 Example:
When forensic psychologist Dr. Evelyn Grant is called to examine a patient who claims he can remember murders he never committed, she dismisses it as paranoia. But when the details match a string of unsolved homicides, Evelyn is forced to question everything—including her own past.
📌 Tip: Keep this section under 150 words—just enough to tease the story without giving everything away.
🔗 Related Read: How AI is Changing the Way Writers Find Literary Agents
📌 4. Book & Market Details
- ✅ Title & genre (e.g., The Last Witness is a psychological thriller.)
- ✅ Word count (rounded to the nearest thousand)
- ✅ Comparable books ("It will appeal to fans of Gone Girl and The Silent Patient.")
💡 Example:
The Last Witness is a 90,000-word psychological thriller that will appeal to fans of Gone Girl and The Silent Patient.
📌 Tip: Choose comp titles from the last 3-5 years to show your book's relevance to today's market.
📌 5. Your Author Bio
- ✅ Mention relevant writing experience (previous publications, writing degrees, awards, etc.).
- ✅ If you don't have formal writing credentials, keep it simple (e.g., "I'm a high school English teacher with a passion for suspense fiction.").
💡 Example:
I have a degree in psychology and have worked as a crime journalist for five years, experiences that inspired this story. My short fiction has appeared in Crime Fiction Weekly and The Dark Ink Anthology.
📌 Tip: Keep this section 1-2 sentences—agents care more about your book than your personal life!
📌 6. The Closing (Polite & Professional Sign-Off)
- ✅ Thank the agent for their time.
- ✅ Offer to provide a full manuscript or sample pages.
💡 Example:
Thank you for your time and consideration. I would love to send the full manuscript upon request.
Best,
[Your Name]
[Your Email]
Common Query Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)
🚫 Mistake #1: Writing a Query That's Too Long
📌 Keep it under 300 words—agents are busy!
🚫 Mistake #2: Being Too Vague
📌 Your pitch should clearly convey who the protagonist is, what they want, and what's at stake.
🚫 Mistake #3: Not Following Submission Guidelines
📌 Some agents want sample pages included, while others prefer just a query letter—always check their website first.
🚫 Mistake #4: Querying Agents Who Don't Represent Your Genre
📌 Research each agent to make sure they actually represent your type of book before querying.
🔗 Related Read: The Best Literary Agents for Debut Authors in 2025
Final Thoughts: Make Your Query Letter Stand Out
Querying literary agents is competitive, but not impossible. Follow these steps to increase your chances:
- ✅ Personalize each query—mention why you chose that agent.
- ✅ Start with a strong hook to grab their attention.
- ✅ Keep your book pitch clear, concise, and engaging.
- ✅ Follow submission guidelines carefully.
🚀 Want expert help finding the right agents? Writer's Rolodex helps authors find the best literary agents for their book using AI-powered recommendations. Try it today!
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