How to Write a Query Letter from Start to End

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Query letters may seem simple enough on the surface, but every word, sentence, and paragraph in an effective literary agent query letter should be tailored and intentional, especially since your ultimate goal is to entice the literary agent into requesting your full manuscript. Whether you are just now learning how to write a query letter or revising one you already have, watch this video for a paragraph-by-paragraph breakdown on the ever-important, ever-perplexing query letter.

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GREAT BOOKS ABOUT WRITING/PUBLISHING:

SOME OF MY FAVORITE NOVELS:

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MORE BOOK PUBLISHING ADVICE:
 
HOW TO WRITE A QUERY LETTER:
01:52 – Personalization & Overview
05:08 – Blurb
06:46 – Comparable Titles
09:04 – Author Bio
11:25 – Closing Paragraph

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ABOUT ME:
My name is Alyssa Matesic, and I’m a professional book editor with 7+ years of book publishing and editorial experience. Throughout my career, I’ve held editorial roles across both sides of the publishing industry: Big Five publishing houses and literary agencies. The goal of this channel is to help writers throughout the book writing journey—whether you're working on your manuscript or you're looking for publishing advice.

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MUSIC:
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[susanbrougher]

Your advice has been most helpful for me in the writing and presentation of my first novel. I am querying now and you have helped me greatly with comparatives. This video is the best yet in summing up the querying process. Thank you so much, Susan

[theoracleofhope]

Thank you! Helpful and simple to digest 🙏🏼

[mrplatink]

I took notes! Getting this DONE, Alyssa - THANK YOU!

[grahampowell]

I’m about to write my first query letter for my first novel and this really simplified the process. Thanks a bunch!

[encouragementinformativevlogs]

Thank you again for the clear explanation.

[andyclark]

I came back to it, as I'm starting my query prep, and I must say it's gold. Thank you!

[dvfhuss]

Preparing my own query letter. Thank you for all your help.

[donnaandrus]

Another very helpful video. It clarified what I've already done and offered more to strongly consider. Thankyou!

[blt]

Hands down, this is the best video I've ever seen about query letters. Thank you very, very much. So helpful!

[brisonbaie]

Wonderful and inspiring video! Excellently presented and helpful! I look forward to watching more.

[cjpreach]

Alyssa. KUDOS. Another excellent lesson. I recorded the audio, and will listen to it many times during my work commute.

[TheRailenne]

Thank you for sharing all your advice here, it's been very helpf helpful as I am revising my first manuscript (contemporary fiction) and preparing to query literary agents :) Really appreciate it!

[CRISPINU]

There are a lot of helpful tips in this. Thank you! I am in the editing process of my sixth novel. The first five were self-published and are doing well but I think it’s time to work with an agent and take my writing career to the next level. I’m loving your videos!

[georgiat]

I'm about a third through my first draft and have been binging all your videos! I have to say, you are brilliant. Thank you

[coreyking]

Subscribed! Any info on the children’s book industry is appreciated. Great videos :)

[EstelleVandeVelde]

Thanks for this video :) I'm currently thinking about querying agents for my fiction, so I'm taking all the information I can get.

[charlierael]

I tried to be quirky in my query. 😬 Thanks for sharing your knowledge! I’m gonna start over better now.

[reubenshupp]

Thank you for your advice and insight.

[luthertcollins]

Thank you this has been very helpful as I’m just getting started good. I have 15 books published with 100 more to write.

[KaraToNihongo]

Thank you so much for this! Im finishing writing my first novel and I hope by next year I can find an agent! <3