Writing a Query Letter for a Romance Novel

Continued

The third paragraph should briefly detail anything about you that is relevant to romance publishing or the specific romance novel you’ve written. For example, if you have been published, whether in fiction or nonfiction, give a few details. If you have some special knowledge that makes your story content particularly accurate, say so (for instance, if your heroine is a doctor and you’re a doctor.) If you are a member of a romance writers’ organization, have taken an active role in one or have won any romance-writing contests, list these. If you’ve never been published in fiction, it’s fine to say that this is your first novel. This paragraph should indicate your level of professionalism.

These three paragraphs are crucial in a query letter. A fourth brief  paragraph is usually needed to thank the editor or agent for considering your work and to say that the submission is disposable or that you have included a stamped, self-addressed envelope (SSAE or SAE) for the editor’s or agent’s reply. Some people believe that a query letter should be exactly three paragraphs and no more. You can achieve that by using the standard code “enc/SSAE” below your signature, and putting your thanks into the closing line of the third paragraph.

Some hopeful authors make the mistake of trying to be cute or too personal.  Remember, this is a business letter. You are trying to catch the attention of a very busy person, someone who may look at a thousand queries a month. So proofread it carefully. Use your best grammar. Do not sign it in pink ink or print it on pink paper. Don’t include an author photo or give biographical details such as your age, marital status or number of children. Don’t try to be funny. A query letter is most of all a sales piece. Your query letter should be polished. It should be relentlessly upbeat. It should present you in your best light. It should get the job done. If you follow these rules, you’re on your way to success.

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