Tips For Writing A Successful Query Letter
For an new writer, writing a query letter may seem like a bore. All the hard work has already been done, the book is written, so they just want to dash off a quick introduction and be done with it. The query letter is a marketing piece though, a single page to convince an agent to read a writing sample. It is a smart move to make sure it is written in a way that will grab their attention.
The first goal in writing a query letter is to have a strong introduction. If the agent has a lot of work (and virtually all of them do) they will be looking for a hook to convince them to continue reading. A weak or vague opening will give them the excuse to put the letter down and not even look at the sample. Do not give them that excuse.
Once they are hooked with the strong opening, a short summary of the book comes next. This summary is the writer’s chance to set the stage for their book. It should intrigue the agent, perhaps give them a familiar setup with a new twist. Agents read a lot of these, so taking lots of time to make it unique and interesting is a smart move.
Assuming the agent is still interested in the story (and because the first two parts of this letter was so well done, of course they are) the author can now give a little bit of background on themselves. Good stories are the most important part of the literary industry, but having an author with a cool background can help with their branding and sell more books (the ultimate goal here, remember). An author who spends time on their elevator pitch is going to be more memorable to these agents.
Thank the agent at the bottom of the paper, and now the letter is done. The outline is simple, but the devil is in the details. Early writers should spent a lot of time on writing a query letter. This letter is going to sell them to their first customer – an agent that can get them a deal and a career.
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Your Digital Publishing Cheat Sheet 
Great article 🙂