# Query letter

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A '''query letter''', or '''query''', is a formal letter sent by a writer to [literary agents](/source/literary_agents), [magazine editor](/source/magazine_editor)s, and sometimes [publishing houses](/source/publishing_houses) or companies, to propose writing ideas.<ref>{{cite web | title=How to Write a Darn Good Query Letter | publisher=NY Book Editors | date=2 November 2023<!--from page source-->| url=https://nybookeditors.com/2015/12/how-to-write-a-darn-good-query-letter/ | access-date=17 January 2024}}</ref>

Query letters are the standard format for unrepresented authors' submissions to potential agents; as such, '''querying''' is often a writer's first professional interaction with the publishing industry, with success furthering their steps on the traditional publishing path.

A standard requested format for a manuscript query letter to a literary agent could be approximately 200–400 words expressing the following information:
* The topic of the work
* A short description of the plot
* A short bio of the author
* The target audience
The literary agent would then decide whether to contact the author and request to see the manuscript, based on the contents of the query letter.

==See also==
* [Publishers Marketplace](/source/Publishers_Marketplace)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://queryshark.blogspot.com/ Query Shark], query critique site by well-known literary agent Janet Reid
* [https://janefriedman.com/query-letters/ The Complete Guide to Query Letters], by industry consultant Jane Friedman

Category:Publishing terminology
Category:Book publishing
Category:Business documents
Category:Letters (message)
Category:Proposals

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