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Step 1
Perfect your hook. A hook is a very short, but powerful summary of your work. It's often used as the lead in a query and is especially vital for pitching a novel. Short means short--one sentence is prime. Two at the most. Aim for twenty five to forty words. Make the task less daunting by starting with a longer summary, say three or four paragraphs, then slowly whittle it down to that one golden sentence. Yes, it can be a challenge, so don't demand perfection. Slow down and take as much time as you need. Here's one example of a hook that's worked quite well for one of my stories.
Fly a Little Higher, Piper Lee is the story of ten year old Piper Lee DeLuna, a spunky, impulsive dreamer, whose fierce devotion to her missing father is threatened by her mother's upcoming remarriage. -
Step 2
Summarize the essential elements of your story. The key word here is essential. If you're pitching a novel, this would include identifying your story's setting, main characters, and the basic conflict that will drive these characters to act. You are not required to give all story details or even to reveal the ending. That's the job of a full synopsis or outline, not a query.
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Step 3
Be specific. Editors don't have the time or desire to guess about important story elements. Be specific, not general. Don't say--my story takes place in the southern United States in the late 1800's. Instead say--My novel is set in the fictional town of Bluffing, Alabama in the latter part of 1885. If you're pitching an article, don't say--My article will tell you everything you want to know about collecting dolls. Instead say--My article offers tips on finding, restoring, and displaying antique china dolls.
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Step 4
Make comparisons. It can be very helpful to an editor if you give her an idea of your story's tone and style. One effective way to do this is to compare your writing with that of a well known author. But that doesn't mean making grandiose claims. Try something like this--With its law practice setting, fast paced action and gritty suspense, my story is similar in tone to John Grisham's "The Firm."
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Step 5
Brag a little. If you've had a book, novella or article published, by all means mention it. But if you don't have any publishing credits, don't despair. Everyone has to start somewhere and editors realize this. What they really want to know is that you're serious about writing. Have you placed in a contest? Do you belong to a writing organization or critique group? Have you recently attended a conference? These are all credits worth mentioning. After this, it's time to end the query. Don't drag it out. Simply thank the editor for his or her time with perhaps a brief mention that you look forward to receiving a reply.
