Query Craft: The Writer-in-the-Know Guide to Getting Your Manuscript Requested

by Angie Hodapp

If your goal as a novelist is to secure the representation of a literary agent, then you’ll need to write a query letter. Daunting? Not anymore! In Query The Writer-in-the-Know Guide to Getting Your Manuscript Requested, Angie Hodapp of Nelson Literary Agency takes you step-by-step through writing the four-part query letter. From the greeting and project summary to the pitch and bio, you’ll learn not only what to include, but also how to avoid the common pitfalls that cause agents to reject so many query letters after only a few seconds. In addition, you’ll find answers to the following • How do you find the right agents to query? • How important are genre, word count, and comparable titles? • What are some overused words and phrases to avoid in your query letter? • Do you need prior publications or other credentials to get an agent? • What’s the best query strategy for you? • How do you set up a query tracking system? Part industry manual, part fiction-craft guide, this book shows you how to turn the best parts of your novel into the best possible query letter—one that stands out in the slush pile and will get agents excited to read your manuscript.

Genres: Writing

224 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 15, 2020

Reviews

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came recommended to me by a friend and published author. This is an excellent book if you have written your own book and plan to query an agent. This walks you through the steps of how to write your query letter. It sets expectations and gives you tips of things to do to make sure you are putting your best manuscript forward.

[James Tritten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buy the book. Read the book. And do what Angie says.

“This book is for fiction writers who have completed a novel-length manuscript of ready-to-publish quality (or close to it) and are ready to seek the representation of a literary agent. It’s for any fiction writer who wants to apply for the job of Professional Writer and sell novels to publishing houses.”

The author is well-qualified as an authority on query letters. Having read thousands of queries from aspiring and established authors, Angie Hodapp gives potential clients a cook-book of do’s and don’ts that, if followed, should get you through the first read. Per Angie, only 10% of the slush pile contains good stories, well-executed, and are marketable.

Why does it take 212 pages to explain how to write a one-page letter? Obviously, because talented writers have difficulty in presenting a 30,000-foot view of their masterpiece to extremely busy agents looking for the diamond in the rough. Agents want to find the next book to make it big – they have mortgages and car payments too. Authors just need to understand the process from the perspective of the agent. If they do, they might just get someone to read their entire query and perhaps even some of their manuscript.

Here is the deal from my perspective, as an award-winning published author. Listen to Angie when she presents at a conference, holds webinars, and teaches a class. Buy the book. Read the book. Do what Angie says. And don’t think just because you successfully queried an agent decades ago that the query of today is the query that worked before. Buy the book. Read the book. And do what Angie says. It is all good advice from someone who is still looking to discover you—highly recommended.

[Bowen Gillings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angie Hodapp is one of the best resources out there for aspiring authors and a hell of a great lady. Query Craft breaks down exactly what should and should not be included in a solid, engaging query letter. Hodapp lays all this out in a fun, engaging way that makes Query Craft read like a novel, not an instructional text. My dog-eared copy sits proudly next to other writing texts like King's On Writing, Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass, and The Elements of Style.

[Keyra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learned many important things

Wish I'd read this before querying. Began to see things that were problematic and couldn't undo before the rejections. Will probably pick up a physical copy so I can tab the crap out of it.

[Katheryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good advice and guide on the art of the query.

[Courtney Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super Useful and Surprisingly Fun

This book was a great peek into what happens behind the scenes when an author sends a manuscript to a potential agent. I highly recommend it.

[Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this after attending a conference. Angie Hodapp is an incredible presenter and this book matches what she said. Very well organized and helpful book.

[Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly useful and thorough advice on how to craft a query letter and what to expect in response from an agent.

[M.E. Garber · Rating 5 out of 5]

a true multi-level book on querying, it contains everything from "do I need an agent, and why" to the nitty-gritty on how to write that elusive "good" query letter.

[Nancie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Lots of very helpful information. Well laid out and easy to follow. Recommended by the instructor in a query letter writing class.

[Holwanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb guidance presented in a clear and concise manner. The author is possessed of a charming style and knows how to teach. Excellent resource.