Publishing, 7 min read

The Anatomy of a Query Letter

Three paragraphs, one decision. How to make each sentence earn its place.

A query letter has one task: to make an agent want to read the pages. Everything else is secondary.

The strongest queries lead with character and stakes, situate the book with precision, and close with a short, relevant author note.

What they leave out matters as much. Subplots, backstory and explanations of theme rarely belong.

Before line edits and polish, a book needs its architecture examined.

Comps are not compliments. They are a map of where your book belongs.

What makes a story world able to sustain more than one book.

Next stage

Your story. Its next stage.

Tell us where the project stands. We'll help determine what it needs next.