How to Write a Query Letter

If you want to pitch your novel to literary agents or editors, you need to write a query letter. A query letter is a short introduction to you and your book; after looking at it (and possibly a chapter sample), an agent will decide whether they want to read the whole novel or not. No pressure, right?

I used to work in acquisitions at a small press and am a volunteer for RevPit, so I have read many query letters. I appreciated when authors actually followed submission guidelines (e.g. only submitting the genres we accepted, including the amount of sample pages we specified, respecting when we were closed for submissions, etc.). You'd be surprised how many people don't follow those simple instructions, so nailing the basics is a great start.

Query Letter Template

If writing a query feels overwhelming and/or you’re not sure what it should look like, try out this template and see how it feels. Feel free to move things around, as there is no “right” order for these elements, but this is my favourite layout for query letters.

Salutations:
Dear [agent name],

Metadata:
I’m thrilled to present [NOVEL TITLE], a [word count]-word [age category] [genre] novel. It has the [similarities] of [Comp Title #1] and the [similarities] of [Comp Title #2]. [NOVEL TITLE] is a standalone with series potential, and [anything else you want to mention here, such as how it has a diverse cast; was inspired by a specific mythology, historical event, or culture; includes technology based on real science; embodies a specific theme or trope; etc.]

Blurb:
[Paragraph 1: Introduce the protagonist and the world.]

[Paragraph 2: Detail what happens to interrupt the protagonist’s normal life (also known as the hook or the inciting incident) and what the protagonist wants more than anything.]

[Paragraph 3: What must the protagonist do? What are the challenges they face along the way? Clarify the stakes—what will happen if the protagonist fails?]

Author Bio:
[Example: “Like my main character, I am a veterinarian and an immigrant. The dragon medicine in NOVEL TITLE is inspired by five years of research at Johns Hopkins University. I have published two short stories in Clarkesworld Magazine and am a member of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA).”]

Closing:
[Example: “As requested, I’ve included the first ten pages of the manuscript below. Thank you for your time and consideration.”]

Sincerely,

[Your name]

Example by a Published Author

This is the query letter that fantasy author Maiya Ibrahim wrote for a shelved manuscript (included here with permission—thanks, Maiya!). This letter got her 20 full requests, though the manuscript itself never got published. Check out Maiya’s debut YA fantasy novel, Spice Road, here, and read Maiya’s original post, which includes more advice on structuring a query letter, here.

Dear [agent’s name]:

I saw on your #MSWL that you are looking for xxxx. My manuscript, SAVAGE, might be a good fit.

During a routine mission, Embassy agent Calla Forsythe discovers a murdered spy—and rumors of a serial killer. Tensions run high in the impoverished colony where the spy was killed. An independence movement is gaining traction with angry citizens, who claim the serial killer is an Embassy agent using his position to get away with murder.

Calla has strict orders to return to base, and investigating the killer risks drawing the Embassy’s attention to her own dark past. But the spy wasn’t the first to report the killer to the Embassy, and if she doesn’t do something, he won’t be the last. She tracks the killer through winding medinas and bustling bazaars, anxious to find him before anyone realizes she’s disobeyed orders.

But her past comes roaring back to haunt her when a woman waylays her hunt for the killer, begging Calla to help find her kidnapped sister. Plagued by survivor’s guilt over the childhood murder of her own sister, Calla agrees. But the killer is getting away, and with rising anti-imperial sentiment, the Embassy will do anything to stop her from investigating one of their own. Calla must find the girl and the killer—before the Embassy finds her.

Set in a futuristic world inspired by the Middle East and complete at 100,000 words, SAVAGE is a speculative thriller in the vein of Jason Bourne meets No Country for Old Men. It is a standalone book with series potential. My experiences as an Australian woman of Middle Eastern descent informed its writing. My speculative fiction has appeared in xxxx and was awarded the xxxx. I live in Sydney where I work as xxxx.

As requested, I have included the first 10 pages of the manuscript below. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Maiya Ibrahim

Extra Tips

Here are a few more best practices:

• Address the agent or editor by name.

• Include the meta data (title, age range, genre, word count) and comparative titles in one paragraph.

• Clarify whether your book is a standalone or the beginning of a series.

• Keep the blurb to 3–4 paragraphs.

• Try to keep the entire query letter to around 300 words.

• All-caps your book title and italicize your comparative book titles.

• There is no need to personalize your query (i.e. tell the agent why you picked them or how your book matches their manuscript wishlist) unless you really want to or have a specific reason, such as if the agent requested your query through a pitch event.

• The blurb should read something like the back cover copy of a book and include who your main players are and what they want (character), what’s getting in the way of their goal (conflict), and what would happen if they fail (stakes).

• Specific stakes (e.g. “the protagonist will lose their chance at finding true love”) are much better than vague stakes (e.g. “all will be lost”).

• Try not to name too many side characters or unfamiliar terms in the blurb.

• Keep the author bio simple. If you have writing credentials, include them. Otherwise, disclose whatever you’re comfortable with—where you’re from, what you do for a living, what your hobbies are. If you have qualifications, education, or experience directly related to your novel, mention that.

And if you want professional eyes on your query letter, I offer query critiques! Check out my services. Bet of luck querying your novel!

Published Oct 3, 2024
Edited and revised Sep 17, 2025