query letter

Author's book pitch

A query letter is a formal pitch sent to literary agents or publishers, proposing a book or article for representation or publication.

It typically summarizes the work, establishes the author's credentials, and attempts to generate interest: She sent query letters to thirty agents before finding representation.

The term is standard in publishing industry parlance.

Related

send · book deals · reply · hook · draft · agent · editing · response · publisher · editor · submission · author · pen · acknowledgment · creative writing · word count · paper · personalization

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Opposites
document type in submission process

query lettermanuscript

Original text before publication

book proposal · synopsis

outcome in submission process

query letterrejection letter

Written refusal notice

acceptance letter · publishing contract · book deal · solicitation · commission

Family

query, letter, queries, queried, querying, letters, lettered, lettering, literal

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