How to Draft a Poetry Query Letter
A query letter is often the most important step in getting published. A strong letter will grab an editor's attention and put your poem on the road to publication. A weak letter ... well, let's not get into that. Here's how to make your query stand out from the rest.
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Instructions
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Format your query in a standard font such as Times New Roman or Arial and include all contact information.
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Sell editors and agents on your idea for a poem from the very first line of your letter. Your query should grab their attention, but not be a line by line description.
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Include a working title in your query and a projected word count. Both are helpful to editors and agents who need to assess how your poetry will fit in to their publication.
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Fix a tentative deadline--and tell the editor about it. Also, discuss whether your poem is being simultaneously submitted to other publications.
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Consider including some biographical information in your query. Many writers do this, but you should be careful not to overdo it. After all, the editor isn't interested in your life history.
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Put the finishing touch on your query by thanking the editor for considering your poetry, and have confidence in a job well done.
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Tips & Warnings
Be sure to send your query to the right editor; this can be double checked online or with a phone call.
Avoid discussion of pay rates, any information on whether your poem is copyrighted, or how many times your poetry has been rejected by other editors.
Don't try to flatter the editor, as that's a hallmark of a bad query letter.
