| Your first step in querying a publisher should be to | | | | - Be creative. Get the editor's attention with a catchy |
| order the book Writer's Market. The book is available | | | | opening line. |
| through for about $30. Writer's Market includes 4,000 | | | | - Let the editor know briefly what your book idea is |
| listings for book publishers, consumer magazines, | | | | about. |
| trade journals, and literary agents. Most publishers' | | | | - Include whether or not you have illustrations. |
| listings in the book will tell you if they accept new | | | | - Inform them of any expertise you have in the |
| authors, with or without agent representation, what | | | | subject matter. |
| types of manuscripts they want, what they pay, | | | | - Let them know if you have been previously |
| their contact information, and where to obtain | | | | published. |
| authors' submission guidelines for their company. | | | | - Close with a polite offer to send the entire |
| Confirm all information by visiting the publisher's | | | | manuscript. |
| website if available. Most publishers' Websites will | | | | - Thank them for their time and say you look |
| have authors' guidelines as well. | | | | forward to hearing from them soon. |
| Once you have chosen the right publisher and are | | | | You can locate sample query letters and book |
| ready to submit your package, you will need to write | | | | proposals in the Writer's Market book. |
| the all-important query letter. The query letter must | | | | When a publisher requests an entire book proposal |
| get the attention of the acquisitions editor, or, more | | | | be sent, your submission should include the following: |
| likely, an editorial assistant or reader. Many packages | | | | - A query letter as described above. |
| are thrown out after the first sentence is read. Your | | | | - A chapter summary that gives an idea of your |
| query letter should be a brief one-page tool used to | | | | book's subject and shows in detail how you plan to |
| get the editor interested in your book idea. The idea | | | | develop your idea. For fiction books, cover the basic |
| of a query letter is to draw enough interest in your | | | | plot. |
| book that the editor will request your entire | | | | - An outline of your book's chapters and what is |
| manuscript be sent. Some editors want to see the | | | | included in each one. |
| entire manuscript on first contact. Check the | | | | - Your author biography that includes why you are |
| submission guidelines to determine exactly which | | | | qualified to write this book as well as any previous |
| method the editor prefers. | | | | writing experience. You can include relevant clubs and |
| Editors change job positions and companies regularly. | | | | organizations you belong to. |
| Don't assume the listed editor is the current one. | | | | - Sample chapters or the entire manuscript. See the |
| Always call the publishing house and ask who the | | | | publishing house's specific guidelines to learn how |
| current editor is and then address your letter to that | | | | much of the manuscript the editor requests. |
| person. | | | | - Marketing information. Editors want to who will buy |
| When formatting your query letter: | | | | your book and how you plan to reach those people. |
| - Limit it to one page. | | | | Be specific. |
| - Use single spacing with one-inch margin. | | | | - Competitive title analysis. Include similar books on |
| - Use an easy to read typeface such as Times New | | | | your subject and how they differ from yours. Why |
| Roman and a 10- or 12-point type. | | | | will your book be better? |
| - Include your complete contact information including | | | | Most publishers will let you know through their |
| e-mail and phone number. | | | | submission guidelines exactly what they want to see |
| - Address the letter directly to the acquisitions editor | | | | included in your fiction or nonfiction proposal. |
| by name. | | | | |