Tips for a Stand-Out Query Letter
I’ve written many blog posts and articles on this topic. Probably because it is one of those “magical” entry points on the path to publishing, and it also requires thoughtful contemplation and methodical crafting. While the manuscript is the most important element of your pitch package, the query letter unlocks the door.
In addition to the basics of designing an eye-catching query letter, I wanted to add to the series by including advice from published authors and other industry experts. (Yes, there will be more insights to come.)
For now, let’s explore six tips for a stand-out query letter:
Make It Personal. As with any formal letter, especially one intended to make the recipient feel valued, please ensure your query is personalized. This includes addressing the agent by name and also including content specific to them, their agency, and their needs.
“Research the person you’re writing to and make your query unique and personal,” says Michelle Glogovac, Podcast Host, Founder, CEO, and Author of How to Get On Podcasts and The Podcast Campaign Tour Playbook. “I Googled agents before emailing them and found things we had in common to personalize my email to them. This showed that I did my homework and was not just copying and pasting the same thing to everyone.”
Use a Hook. Everyone on the Author’s Journey knows how important a book hook is. From pitching in person to frosting in a query letter, a hook piques interest and makes the reader want to know more.
Start with a clear and compelling hook,” says Susan Hartzler, Author of I’m Not Single, I Have a Dog: Dating Tales From the Bark Side and creator of the BlissDog Substack. “A hook tells the agent what the book is about and why it matters. Clarity stands out more than cleverness. Then include a brief line that shows why you’re the right person to write it, based on your experience, platform, or perspective, and add why they’re the right person to work with.”
“Lead with the hook, not your backstory,” says Jenn T. Grace, Award-winning publisher and founder of Publish Your Purpose, helping nonfiction and memoir authors share stories that “Your opening line should make the agent lean in. It should read more like back-cover copy rather than a generic summary. Ideally, you should be able to convey this in 1 to 2 sentences.”
In addition to leaning in, the agent wants something intriguing and memorable. Author Nicole Farber, CEO of ENX2 Legal Marketing and author of Yea, Though I Walk Through the Valley of a Startup, believes something catchy, but authentic, can make all the difference in helping your pitch stand out.
“Use a rhythmic hook like Bounty’s ‘The Quicker Picker Upper’ to ensure your premise is instantly memorable and easy to repeat. Additionally, structure your pitch like a “zero-click search” by placing your genre and market data at the very top, satisfying the agent’s need for vital information without forcing them to hunt for it.”
Know Your Audience. A generic pitch, cookie-cutter query, and blanket launch are three ways to go from slush to slash before you can say “Bob’s your uncle!” While it is important to remember your manuscript is the key driver of your pitch, a targeted query is essential.
“Two things grab attention immediately,” says Cheryl Sharp, Best-Selling Author of Back in the Game, Dating Strategist, and Speaker. First, have a strong hook in the first sentence and a clear understanding of who the book is for. Agents don’t just want a good story — they want to know there’s a clear audience and a compelling reason this book matters right now.”
Remember, your audience also includes the agent. You want to prove that you’ve done your homework, and you know this agent would be a great fit for your manuscript—and for you.
“Demonstrate you know your agent’s list,” says Jenn. “Name a specific title the agent has represented (or the publisher has released) and articulate briefly why your book would sit well alongside it. This goes one step further to show that you are taking the time to do your research and not blasting out your query to any email address you find.”
“I recommend addressing the query letter to the specific decision-maker by name and matching its tone to their public submission guidelines,” says Alesha Brown, Founder & CEO of Fruition Publishing Concierge Services® and publishing strategist helping authors turn ideas into profitable platforms. “Personalization should show professional respect, not false familiarity. The strongest queries don’t read like book reports—they read like a clear business case for reader demand. In the first few lines, authors should show why this book matters now and why its specific audience will care, then support that with sharp positioning: genre/category, comparable titles, platform or credibility, and the promise that makes the project easy to understand and hard to ignore.
Make it Marketable. Even if the agent and editor love your manuscript, they must convince the publishing sales team that it holds value in the marketplace. Persuasion starts back in the pitch. Adding saleable details to your query letter not only helps the agent and editor decide but can also support a strong launch and significant sales.
“In the competing titles section, be humble and sales savvy,” says Elizabeth Dougherty, coauthor of The Complete Expert-to-Author Guide: Plan, Write, and Publish Your Nonfiction Book. “Face it: You’re most likely not going to be the next Brené Brown. Skip mega bestsellers and stick to titles that demonstrate you know your book’s exact market niche and how it differentiates itself from the competition. A publisher is looking for the next bestseller, not to compete with one that’s already flying off the shelves.”
“In the list of key selling points, make a compelling case that there’s an eager market for your book by answering the question: Why does this book matter now?” says Elizabeth. Don’t make the common mistake of describing what is in your book, which is a content-driven approach. Rather, focus on the top reasons why someone should buy it, which is a market-driven approach. Please weave in timely examples, supporting statistics, and innovative solutions that highlight the importance of your work. The objective is to make your book sound as if it holds the secret to life itself.”
“For novels, highlight the stakes your character has to overcome,” says Katherine Pickett, award-winning author of Perfect Bound: How to Navigate the Book Publishing Process Like A Pro, and Debra Lee Won’t Break. “For nonfiction, emphasize what problem you are solving and how large an audience is affected by this problem.” She also stresses the importance of how sales stem from distinction. “Lead with whatever element makes your package different: your hook, your platform, or the size of your audience. Follow that up with a writing style that reflects the tone of your book.”
Celebrate Your Wins. Don’t forget to tell why you are the best person to write this book. If it’s fiction, what inspired the story, and why did you feel compelled to share it? For non-fiction, share your expertise or “why.” This might also include your authority on the topic or experience with writing. Are you a regular blogger? Share it. Thought leader in the industry? Tout it. Winner of a writing award? Celebrate it.
“I recommend that authors include the varied experiences they will bring to the project,” says Karen Jordan, author of What She Says: Words of Wisdom from My Southern Grandmother. “This includes any accolades so that the recipient can know as much about their background as possible. I think it is also helpful if the author includes why they are the specific person to tell that story. That will interest the literary agent or publisher.”
Be Authentically You. I confess. I check every submission for AI. While this technology helps with editing, research, and brainstorming, it’s not a replacement for writing your query or manuscript.
“Write the letter in your own words and do not use AI,” reminds Michelle. “AI-written text has become obvious these days and is a huge red flag, especially in the publishing industry. Don’t be afraid to use your own voice and show your character in your letter.”
You may also not have realized how important it is to “be the author,” as reflected in your query. An author who’s enthusiastic, gracious, and willing to learn makes the perfect partner for a literary agent. Keep this in mind when you pitch to an agent because if you write a compelling and courteous query, then follow that up by being less than professional, the door may shut before your manuscript gets inside the “house.”
It’s the manuscript that really counts in the end.
But you need to get it through the agency’s door and into the agent’s hands. That’s why a thoughtful query letter that includes these eight fundamentals (and more) will go a long way in helping you achieve your publishing goals.
I hope this article gave you a few useful ideas. I would be honored if you shared it on social media. Speaking of sharing, please share your ideas and experiences below. Together, we can build an uplifting community that uplifts each other’s happiness, well-being, creativity, and success.
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