I recently had a conversation with a fellow writer who received a rejection letter from an editor. The editor’s emailed response said the writer’s query was “dense” and “filled with too much personal chatter.” I asked to see the query. Yep, the editor was correct. There were two paragraphs of the writer’s personal thoughts on her manuscript’s theme.
“But I read a blog that said queries should include that to show why the story will connect with readers,” the writer told me.
Ah, yes. Information gathered from a blog. I have a collection of publishing blogs I visit, too. The trouble is, too much information (TMI). If you read advice on queries from one blog, there are at least nine others with different takes on the same subject. That’s the case with all publishing topics:
- A query should be exactly 350 words. Or a query should be as long as it needs to explain your manuscript.
- A query should be formal. Or a query should be informal.
- Don’t include sample pages. Or always include sample pages.
- Specifically ask to be represented by that agent/have that editor buy your book. Or never be forward.
In my experience as an author and as an assistant agent, a writer will make herself nuts with TMI. You’ve heard this before: there’s no one way to do something. Believe me, that fits publishing. The test is deciding what advice will work for you and your situation. For example, if I read a query written in the voice of the manuscript’s POV character, I tend to keep reading if it’s done well. But I know some agents prefer a “straight,” professional query with “just the facts.” Did the writer do something wrong? Nope.
I think authors should practice writing queries in different styles. Which one is the best match for that particular manuscript? Did you keep the agent or editor submission requirements in mind? Does one style show your work off stronger than another? Was writing one way a painful experience, while another was a breeze?
Publishing advice is everywhere (hey, look at this post!). There’s great stuff, and the not-so-great stuff. But before you let TMI rule you, dear author, take a deep breath. The story will win in the end.
