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How to Write a Great Query Letter: Insider Tips & Techniques for Success
"Noah Lukeman, one of the top literary agents in New York, gave writers a great gift." --James Frey (regarding The Plot Thickens) "This will certainly help writers of any kind defeat rejection and possibly score." --Writers.com (regarding The First Five Pages) Many books have been written about the query letter. But few have been written by literary agents, who receive thousands of queries each year and who grapple with them on a daily basis. Even fewer books have been written by literary agents who are currently active, who are willing to write from the trenches and offer their perspective on why they reject query letters, and why they accept them. During his last 16 years as a literary agent, New York literary agent Noah Lukeman, President of Lukeman Literary Management Ltd and author of three critically-acclaimed books on the craft of writing, has read thousands of query letters. Now, for the first time, he offers his insights on the query letter, sharing an insider's perspective, giving insights and practical tips about what works and what doesn’t. "Lukeman’s advice is practical—and often entails multiple, time-consuming steps—without a hint of the flakiness that creeps into many writing guides." --Publishers Weekly (regarding The Plot Thickens) This 100,000 word file also includes for free two of Noah Lukeman’s other books--How to Land (and Keep) a Literary Agent and Ask a Literary Agent.
406 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
81 people are currently reading
315 people want to read
About the author
Noah Lukeman
25 books115 followersIn addition to being an active literary agent, Noah Lukeman is also author of the best-selling The First Five Pages: A Writer’s Guide to Staying out of the Rejection Pile (Simon & Schuster, 1999), which was a selection of many of Writer’s Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers and is part of the curriculum in many universities. His The Plot Thickens: 8 Ways to Bring Fiction to Life (St. Martins Press, 2002) was a National Bestseller, a BookSense 76 Selection, a Publishers Weekly Daily pick, a selection of the Writers Digest Book Club, and a selection of many of Writer’s Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers. His A Dash of Style: The Art and Mastery of Punctuation (W.W. Norton, 2006 and Oxford University Press in the UK, 2007) was critically-acclaimed, a selection of the Writers Digest Book Club and the Forbes Book Club, was profiled on NPR, and is now part of the curriculum in over 50 universities and writing programs. His e-book How to Write a Great Query Letter, which he gives away for free as a way of giving back to the writing community, was the #1 Bestselling title on Amazon Shorts for many months. His most recent book geared to help aspiring authors is How to Land (and Keep) a Literary Agent. To help aspiring authors, he has also made available free chapters from all his books, which you can read by clicking here.
Noah has also worked as a collaborator, and is co-author, with Lieutenant General Michael “Rifle” Delong, USMC, Ret., of Inside Centcom (Regnery, 2005), a selection of the Military Book Club. His Op-Eds co-authored with General Delong appeared in the Sunday New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Dallas Morning News. He has contributed articles about the publishing industry and the craft of writing to several magazines, including Poets & Writers, Writers Digest, The Writer, the AWP Chronicle and the Writers Market, and has been anthologized in The Practical Writer (Viking, 2004).
Creatively, Noah is author of The Tragedy of Macbeth, Part II, (Pegasus Books, 2008) an original play written in blank verse, which aspires to pick up where Shakespeare’s Macbeth left off. Macbeth II was critically-acclaimed, and featured as recommended reading in New York Magazine’s 2008 “Fall Preview.” He has also written several screenplays, one of which, Brothers in Arms, was chosen as one of Hollywood’s 100 Best Scripts of the Year on the 2007 Black List and is currently in development at a major studio.
Noah Lukeman has been a guest speaker on the subjects of writing and publishing at numerous forums, including Harvard University, The Hotchkiss School, The Juilliard School, the Wallace Stegner writing program at Stanford University, the Writers Digest Panel at Book Expo America, the MFA at Northern Michigan University, the National Society of Newspaper Columnist’s annual Boston conference, and Riker’s Island Penitentiary. He earned his B.A. with High Honors in English and Creative Writing from Brandeis University, cum laude.
Noah has also worked as a collaborator, and is co-author, with Lieutenant General Michael “Rifle” Delong, USMC, Ret., of Inside Centcom (Regnery, 2005), a selection of the Military Book Club. His Op-Eds co-authored with General Delong appeared in the Sunday New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Dallas Morning News. He has contributed articles about the publishing industry and the craft of writing to several magazines, including Poets & Writers, Writers Digest, The Writer, the AWP Chronicle and the Writers Market, and has been anthologized in The Practical Writer (Viking, 2004).
Creatively, Noah is author of The Tragedy of Macbeth, Part II, (Pegasus Books, 2008) an original play written in blank verse, which aspires to pick up where Shakespeare’s Macbeth left off. Macbeth II was critically-acclaimed, and featured as recommended reading in New York Magazine’s 2008 “Fall Preview.” He has also written several screenplays, one of which, Brothers in Arms, was chosen as one of Hollywood’s 100 Best Scripts of the Year on the 2007 Black List and is currently in development at a major studio.
Noah Lukeman has been a guest speaker on the subjects of writing and publishing at numerous forums, including Harvard University, The Hotchkiss School, The Juilliard School, the Wallace Stegner writing program at Stanford University, the Writers Digest Panel at Book Expo America, the MFA at Northern Michigan University, the National Society of Newspaper Columnist’s annual Boston conference, and Riker’s Island Penitentiary. He earned his B.A. with High Honors in English and Creative Writing from Brandeis University, cum laude.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 17, 2015
I can't believe this book is free. It's a blueprint for writing a query and landing an agent. It also has an extensive Frequently Asked Question section. Bravo to Noah Lukeman. I will be eternally grateful for his generosity.
March 18, 2013
When I downloaded How to Land (and Keep) a Literary Agent, it turned out to be bundled with this and Ask a Literary Agent, too. All are quick reads and well worth your time if you're preparing to approach agencies about representing your work. All are free, too. (I downloaded them for Kindle, though they're available in PDF form at his agency's site, too.)
In this one, Lukeman covers the basic format of the query letter, explaining very specifically what agents are ideally expecting. Much of the text is devoted to things you should avoid doing, and there's even a checklist at the end of things you should make sure you don't do. He gives examples of many of these and I found myself wishing he'd provided a few examples of successful, complete query letters, but those are certainly available elsewhere (like querytracker).
A very valuable read.
In this one, Lukeman covers the basic format of the query letter, explaining very specifically what agents are ideally expecting. Much of the text is devoted to things you should avoid doing, and there's even a checklist at the end of things you should make sure you don't do. He gives examples of many of these and I found myself wishing he'd provided a few examples of successful, complete query letters, but those are certainly available elsewhere (like querytracker).
A very valuable read.
July 20, 2023
This was succinct, blunt and very practical
December 29, 2018
Out-dated advice, pompous tone, author who no longer works in the industry. From what I can tell from a 10 minute search, Lukeman Literary Management hasn't been selling books since well before the 2014 publication date of this very questionable volume. Save yourself some trouble and check out Query Shark or the blogs of agents who are still selling books.
March 19, 2008
This is a great book for beginning writers who have no idea what they are getting into. Noah Lukeman is an agent and has a lot of experience with query letters. While the information was extremely helpful, I wish that he would have given a few more examples.
September 25, 2017
I believe that the query structure laid out here--a concise one--is best. The way Lukeman talks about queries is to be trusted--inscribed in tiny letters on the heart by a Kafka-esque tattoo machine
In fact, I would read this book simply for the following hopeful story:
"There have been many times in my career when I sat down late at night, poring through hundreds of queries, exhausted, not expecting to find anything. Yet there it was. A great query letter. A letter that, despite all odds, sparked in me a great excitement late at night, that made me want to call the author right then."
There are many details lacking that could have been demonstrated with a single example query letter--i.e. where should word count and genre go? Well, obviously these should be placed in the first paragraph following the material focused on the agent. But this isn't explicitly stated, and that doesn't make it the sort of book that can be handed to a first-time query writer.
Finally, the query formatting details are for print. But what is needed in the age of email queries are guidelines for HTML.
So, great book, but supplementary. Read it and follow it, but read other books too.
In fact, I would read this book simply for the following hopeful story:
"There have been many times in my career when I sat down late at night, poring through hundreds of queries, exhausted, not expecting to find anything. Yet there it was. A great query letter. A letter that, despite all odds, sparked in me a great excitement late at night, that made me want to call the author right then."
There are many details lacking that could have been demonstrated with a single example query letter--i.e. where should word count and genre go? Well, obviously these should be placed in the first paragraph following the material focused on the agent. But this isn't explicitly stated, and that doesn't make it the sort of book that can be handed to a first-time query writer.
Finally, the query formatting details are for print. But what is needed in the age of email queries are guidelines for HTML.
So, great book, but supplementary. Read it and follow it, but read other books too.
August 5, 2022
If you are looking for the experts in your craft to guide and direct you towards greatness,anything that is written by Noah Lukeman is what you need!Thanks Mr. Lukeman for deciding to write to help novelists! This book is exactly what I have been looking for!Before I had read this book, I had no idea my query letter was not formatted correctly. Finally,I am recieving responses from the literary agents that I am submitting to! I am looking forward to reading more of your books!
January 22, 2020
A Goldmine of Infornation
So much good information. I went into this book thinking I would just learn how to write a query. I came out of it with ssooo much more.
A must read for anybody planning to publish their book in the near future.
So much good information. I went into this book thinking I would just learn how to write a query. I came out of it with ssooo much more.
A must read for anybody planning to publish their book in the near future.
February 5, 2017
Very informative. I would have loved to read an example of a good query letter just to formulate an idea in my head.
June 7, 2017
Indispensable. A must-read for aspiring authors. Conveniently brief and to-the-point, and it doesn't hurt that it's free on Amazon, either. Go download.
April 3, 2020
This book was very informative. It was easy to read and it covered the basic things needed to write a good Query letter. It was very helpful.
November 7, 2020
This is outdated. Although it has some good pointers, I’ve heard them all before.
October 12, 2022
Short, concise, and free. Hopefully the requests start rolling in :)
May 18, 2023
Could have shorter
I love all the information and insight, but it could have been said in fewer words and sentences. Other than that, good job.
I love all the information and insight, but it could have been said in fewer words and sentences. Other than that, good job.
July 15, 2024
Excellent advice, but dated. This was written almost 15 years ago and most agents today don't want paper letters.
February 22, 2017
After reading this book, I was on fire to try his tips and techniques. He's got a number of them and all make sense to rise above the rest (so to speak).
Recommend.
Recommend.
June 11, 2012
How to Write a Great Query Letter by Noah Lukeman is an excellent reference guide for writing an effective query letter. Lukeman is a long-time literary agent, so he knows what agents want to see in a query letter. He is very detailed about how to properly construct a query letter and he covers all the bases.
In the book, Lukeman talks about the importance of preparation by thoroughly researching agents. He discusses the best and worst query letter formatting techniques. Then he breaks apart the query letter, paragraph by paragraph, and explains key features to include and mistakes to avoid - for both fiction and nonfiction. Lastly, he goes over final issues, including common mistakes writers make with their query letters. The end of the book includes a checklist for writers for when they craft their query letters.
Even though I’m a self-published author, I can see how this book is a great resource for new writers interested in seeking an agent or publisher. It is evident, that by following the suggestions in the book, the writer will develop a highly effective query letter that is clear, concise, direct, full of the important traits that agents are looking for, and free of nonessential information. I highly recommend this book to writers to read before they query any agents or publishers.
In the book, Lukeman talks about the importance of preparation by thoroughly researching agents. He discusses the best and worst query letter formatting techniques. Then he breaks apart the query letter, paragraph by paragraph, and explains key features to include and mistakes to avoid - for both fiction and nonfiction. Lastly, he goes over final issues, including common mistakes writers make with their query letters. The end of the book includes a checklist for writers for when they craft their query letters.
Even though I’m a self-published author, I can see how this book is a great resource for new writers interested in seeking an agent or publisher. It is evident, that by following the suggestions in the book, the writer will develop a highly effective query letter that is clear, concise, direct, full of the important traits that agents are looking for, and free of nonessential information. I highly recommend this book to writers to read before they query any agents or publishers.
June 28, 2010
HOW TO WRITE A GREAT QUERY LETTER was no doubt helpful, providing valuable tips for writers looking to land an agent. I had nearly 150 highlights in the book, so it was definitely worth my money. There were, however, a couple of things that irked me about this book:
1. There were numerous times the author stopped short of giving complete advice, referring readers instead to buy another one of his books. This is fine for topics other than query letters, but anything pertaining to the writing of a query letter should be covered thoroughly in this book. No matter how beneficial or inexpensive a book might be, no one likes to feel like a sucker for buying it.
2. This book would have been much better if there were a few sample queries included--good ones, bad ones, and explanations as to why each worked or didn't. I feel like a lot of these How-To writing books talk at us instead of to us.
Still worth buying and full of useful information, so I gave it four stars.
1. There were numerous times the author stopped short of giving complete advice, referring readers instead to buy another one of his books. This is fine for topics other than query letters, but anything pertaining to the writing of a query letter should be covered thoroughly in this book. No matter how beneficial or inexpensive a book might be, no one likes to feel like a sucker for buying it.
2. This book would have been much better if there were a few sample queries included--good ones, bad ones, and explanations as to why each worked or didn't. I feel like a lot of these How-To writing books talk at us instead of to us.
Still worth buying and full of useful information, so I gave it four stars.
March 31, 2013
***Lukeman is offering free PDF versions of this book & 'How to Land an Agent' via his website for download as well as e-versions for Kindle/nook.***
If you've read other tips on query letters this won't provide too much different information. However, Lukeman is succinct and gets to the point of how to structure the query letter, not necessarily how to write it. He plots out what each paragraph should convey, how long it should be, and what NOT to do. A nice step-by-step lesson, but if you want something more in-depth on how to structure I'd suggest Writers' Digest annual issue that shows "winning" query letters with comments and line by line notes from agents on what struck them.
If you've read other tips on query letters this won't provide too much different information. However, Lukeman is succinct and gets to the point of how to structure the query letter, not necessarily how to write it. He plots out what each paragraph should convey, how long it should be, and what NOT to do. A nice step-by-step lesson, but if you want something more in-depth on how to structure I'd suggest Writers' Digest annual issue that shows "winning" query letters with comments and line by line notes from agents on what struck them.
April 9, 2016
I can't speak for the effectiveness of the information in this book as I've yet to begin the querying process, but it's very thorough for being a freebie book. I feel a lot more confident about querying agents now, and Lukeman addressed a lot of mistakes I would have made and been totally unaware of had I never read his book.
And it's not really an endorsement of this book, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that my free copy of How to Write a Great Query Letter also contained How to Land (and Keep) a Literary Agent - score! Tons more useful information!
And it's not really an endorsement of this book, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that my free copy of How to Write a Great Query Letter also contained How to Land (and Keep) a Literary Agent - score! Tons more useful information!
June 10, 2013
A free ebook with useful tips for how to write query letters (including a checklist). It could benefit from a few example letters, but those can be found on agent's blogs (Query Shark) and elsewhere.
May 10, 2015
Great book!
Tons of advice for aspiring authors. A highly recommended read. I really am hoping to land a literary agent with the advice he gave, I will write back to let everyone know if the methods actually worked.
Tons of advice for aspiring authors. A highly recommended read. I really am hoping to land a literary agent with the advice he gave, I will write back to let everyone know if the methods actually worked.
December 30, 2010
This free e-book demystifies query-writing. Lukeman is very much in the tough love camp, but if you follow his advice, your query letter will be the better for it.
June 9, 2011
It was very effective. Clear, precise instructions, excellent general guidelines. Gave the requirements plus some excellent suggestions and examples.
February 3, 2012
Lots of great info!
Want to read
March 30, 2012I downloaded this ebook free off of Noah Lukeman's site (http://www.lukeman.com/def2.htm - then click on "query" to find the link to download the book)
November 5, 2012
Very useful!
December 18, 2013
An excellent resource for new writers. It's probably wise to to check some other sources on this subject, but Lukeman's is likely the most exstensive.
July 11, 2014
Good information for any writer.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews