Writing a Successful Query
by Mary Kole | Former literary agent, now a freelance editor, writing teacher, and IP/story developer for major publishers and creators.
This article is a response to questions we hear from Good Story Learning members all the time, like “What should I do after writing a book? How can I write a successful query?”
Getting a successful query across the finish line is an involved process—and it doesn’t just have to do with the query document. The obvious component of a successful query is the manuscript itself. Another is the query letter. But there are other considerations operating below the surface.
Maybe you’ve been rejected because you didn’t do your research and the manuscript does not fit into the agent’s genre/category. Maybe the agent represents something similar and doesn’t want to cannibalize their own list. Or maybe the market isn’t there (right now) for your story idea or genre or category.
Too many writers put stock in the idea of the successful query landing them an offer of representation or a book deal, but there are many more elements at play.
Writing a Successful Query by Taking Your Time
Writers often submit their work before it’s ready—a problem I relate to as a fellow writer. The real question is whether or not you are able to do more revision. If not, don't give in to the “frustration submission.” Impatience won’t help you craft a successful query or have a strong submission process. Keep working on your story, put it away for a while, and then revise until you feel confident enough to send it off.
After spending hours—seemingly an eternity—working on a story, you finally think, “If I read this one more time, I will go crazy. I'm done with it, so here goes nothing.” But is the work really ready to submit? When is a manuscript good enough for agents?
The answer is this: you are closer to being ready if at least one other human being has enjoyed your work (and not someone who is likely to love anything you do—like your spouse or child or parent). Here’s where beta readers, fellow critique group writers, or freelance book editors come in.
The Takeaway Of a Successful Query: Your Intuition Is Right
Finally, if you sense there is an issue with the story, then there likely is one—and any work that has fundamental problems with character, plot, genre, or market shouldn't be sent out. I've found that when I address any weak points in manuscripts with their authors in my work as a freelance editor, the writers hear the feedback and laugh.
Why? They usually already know that something is wrong, and maybe even exactly what I’m about to say. They simply needed confirmation from an outside source before deciding when and how to fix it. This kind of fatal flaw would get in the way of a successful query if the writer never got that feedback in the first place.
The secret to a successful query? All the stuff you know you need to do before you hit “submit.” Now get back to writing and revision—your submission journey can wait until you’ve given yourself the strongest shot at success.
Elevate Your Storytelling
Wherever you are in your writing journey—from an initial outline to a draft to pitching your project—the experienced team at Good Story Editing can take your work to the next level.