Most hopeful authors think that the query letter is purely a means of letting a publisher know that their book exists. It’s their way of introducing and describing their books to publishers. But a query letter is so much more.
It is your sales pitch.
It is through your carefully written, thoroughly researched, precisely organized query letter that you will capture the attention of a publisher.
Here’s what the publisher probably doesn’t want to know:
• Your complete educational background.
• How many of your friends love your book.
• How long it took you to complete your book.
• That there are no other books like this one.
• That this book is for everyone.
What does the publisher want to know?
• That this is a viable product—it’s up to you to prove that it is.
• That it is a good investment—what’s in it for him?
• Who comprises the audience for this book and how many people does that include?
• The purpose of your book. (For nonfiction.)
• The reason why you wrote this book. (For nonfiction.)
• Exactly what your book is about and what it is designed to accomplish.
• Why are you the person to write this book?
Are you in the process of writing a weak query letter? Are you struggling to give it more strength? Maybe you’ve already studied Chapter Eight in my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book and you’re still having trouble writing your query letter. Or you have written one, but it isn’t landing you a publishing contract. For the rest of March, 2009, I’ll open up my offices to your query letters on a one-time evaluation basis.
Send me your query letter after giving it your best effort and let me see if I can help you to give it more strength and power.
If you want to read about query letters and see examples of query letters, order The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book today. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html
Send your query letters for evaluation to PLFry620@yahoo.com. This offer is good through March 31, 2009.