According to Wikipedia (which is always correct!), a query letter for a novel* needs four things.
- The topic of the work
- A short description of the plot
- A short bio of the author
- The target audience
You would think the section on yourself would be the easiest section to write, but that’s often not the case. I find a lot of authors struggle with what to put in this part of the query. Many people want to list impressive writing credentials, but don’t have much of a CV. As a result, they often list things that they wrote and were published that having nothing to do with novel writing. High school newspaper articles from decades ago, for example. Or they fill this space with too much personal information. Remember, this is a business letter and you want the book to be the focus.
You might also include what makes you an authority on this book. Even if your book is fictional, you might have some particular insight. For example, if it’s a legal thriller and you’re a lawyer, I would include that. Or if you blog about the genre you’re writing in, include a link so we know you really know your market.
But if you’re writing a novel, don’t be afraid if you don’t have a lot to say in this section. I’ve seen a lot of people add filler, which just takes away from the strength of the query. I think it’s better to say simply “this is my first novel” or the like than to waste time with unrelated information. Someone with no sales track record is easier to sell than someone with a poor track record. Every agent I know is looking for a great debut project.
Embrace your blank slate-ness!
