The Writer's Digest Guide to Query Letters

A few months ago, I was contacted by Wendy Burt-Thomas about including my query letter for Magic Lost, Trouble Found (then called Thief of Souls) in a book she was writing for Writer's Digest Books called Guide to Query Letters. Thankfully she wanted to include my letter as an example of a good query letter that got the job done. ; )

And it definitely got the job done. After reading my query letter, my now-agent Kristin Nelson asked for a partial (first three chapters) and then the entire manuscript. After reading it, she offered to represent me. (Yes, I got the unparalleled thrill of getting "The Call.") A couple of months after that, Kristin and I had an offer on the table for a two-book contract from Ace Books. The rest is history.

Coming from a marketing and advertising background, I'm a firm believer that your query letter is just as important as your manuscript. Because it's not your manuscript that gets a potential agent's attention -- it's your query letter that gets your foot in the door. It's got to be compelling, powerful, and make that agent salivate to read more. Anything and everything you can do to make that first contact with an agent the best and sharpest you can is worth taking the time to do right.

It's a new year (and as of yesterday agents and editors are back in their offices). If your New Year's Resolution is to get a book contract this year and you're prepping your query letter, you can check out Wendy's book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or on the Writer's Digest Books site.
And for more about Wendy, check out her book's site. Guide to Query Letters is funny and informative -- a winning combination.

And by coincidence, Kristin Nelson's blog last night was on the query letter of one of her newest clients. She posted the letter on her blog and analyzed it, telling what she liked about it. She's now representing Courtney Milan and sold her debut novel, Proof by Seduction and a second book for six figures to Harlequin at auction.

Folks, that's how important a kick-ass cover letter can be.

• New contest: If you didn't drop by yesterday, scroll down to yesterday's blog for all the info you need to enter my new contest.
• And for those of you who requested a bookmark and postcard for The Trouble with Demons, you should have received them by now. If you did not, please email me and let me know.
  
• Coming up tomorrow: Books I'm reading now.
  
• Coming up this week: Let every scene advance the plot, Never stop learning, and Why downtime is good time.

Lisa