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Brevity is the Soul Of

July 10, 2008 by Nathan Bransford 27 Comments

Too many long queries lately.

Don’t.

Filed Under: Query Letters Tagged With: How to Write a Query Letter

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. heather simmons says

    July 10, 2008 at 6:02 pm

    Nathan,

    How long is too long, exactly?

    Reply
  2. Nathan Bransford says

    July 10, 2008 at 6:05 pm

    Heather-

    The more important thing isn’t length per se, but whether it’s concise. A query should only contain what is absolutely necessary.

    Reply
  3. heather simmons says

    July 10, 2008 at 6:08 pm

    Can I take my query back and switch it out then? (and include 30 pages in the body?)Kidding, kinda

    Reply
  4. Margaret Yang says

    July 10, 2008 at 6:33 pm

    LOL.

    Reply
  5. Chro says

    July 10, 2008 at 6:33 pm

    It could be worse. You could be getting the disturbing, short queries:

    “Dear Mr. Bransford,

    I left my manuscript under your pillow.

    Read it.

    Or else.”

    Reply
  6. Dave F. says

    July 10, 2008 at 6:34 pm

    Most queries should be no longer than a one page letter. That’s less than 500 words with the salutations and stuff.

    There are reasons to go longer. A non-fiction book may be longer. But generally, one page.

    I regularly blog over at the “Evil Editor” and help get queries in good order for people to submit to agents. It’s well worth the effort to ask for some advice.

    Reply
  7. benwah says

    July 10, 2008 at 6:37 pm

    Brevity…wit.

    Your headline was too long.

    Reply
  8. Anonymous says

    July 10, 2008 at 6:45 pm

    Mr. Bransford

    Is a query ever so antagonizing to you that the writer gets no answer at all – not even the no-thanks form-letter?

    Reply
  9. Nathan Bransford says

    July 10, 2008 at 6:52 pm

    anon-

    Let’s put it this way — if I know it’s a query, I’ll respond.

    And no, believe it or not I don’t always know if it’s a query.

    Reply
  10. Pete says

    July 10, 2008 at 7:44 pm

    Ok.

    Reply
  11. Sam Hranac says

    July 10, 2008 at 7:47 pm

    O

    Reply
  12. Anonymous says

    July 10, 2008 at 8:02 pm

    The best responses from queries I ever received were based on one page, with a three line description of the plot.

    It’s harder to do this than it is to write a short story, but it works. And that’s why it’s important to actually practice writing queries.

    Queries are all about fast, smooth landings; not circling the airport.

    Reply
  13. heather simmons says

    July 10, 2008 at 8:11 pm

    That information is very helpful. It would have been even more helpful on July 3, before sending out my queries. Maybe I can change my name.

    Reply
  14. Wanda B. Ontheshelves says

    July 10, 2008 at 8:26 pm

    My Query Haiku:

    100,000
    words, immortal character
    plus Ann Arbor types

    ***

    actually, correct
    description of my novel –
    try yourself, it’s fun!

    ***

    will stop now, before
    wear out haiku welcome at
    Nathan Bransford’s blog

    Reply
  15. Anonymous says

    July 10, 2008 at 8:28 pm

    Nathan,

    But good is good, right? You’re not going to pass on a well-written query just because it’s too long…

    Reply
  16. Nathan Bransford says

    July 10, 2008 at 8:31 pm

    anon-

    If it’s good it means it’s not too long.

    Reply
  17. Anonymous says

    July 10, 2008 at 8:33 pm

    Touche.

    Reply
  18. Julia says

    July 10, 2008 at 8:37 pm

    !

    Reply
  19. Anonymous says

    July 10, 2008 at 8:45 pm

    O.K.

    Reply
  20. AstonWest says

    July 10, 2008 at 10:36 pm

    Nathan,

    Sign me.

    (Short enough? 😀 )

    Reply
  21. Nikki Duncan says

    July 10, 2008 at 11:21 pm

    LOL. I love this blog.

    I’m going to have to go back through your past posts to see how you feel about synopsis lengths.

    Reply
  22. Anonymous says

    July 11, 2008 at 1:28 am

    I know this is slightly off-topic, but still pertaining to queries…Nathan, how do you feel about references in a query to editors having requested a manuscript at a conference? In the very first letter on Query Shark’s site, she says that she basically disregards such references, because editors at conferences tend to request everything. What if they only request about one-third, or less, of the manuscripts that are pitched? In your opinion, does referring to an editor’s request do more harm than good in a query?

    Reply
  23. Nathan Bransford says

    July 11, 2008 at 1:40 am

    I don’t mind the line, but it’s not really going to sway me either way. I would like to know at where it’s been at some point, but it doesn’t have to be a the query stage.

    So there you have it. Neutral.

    Reply
  24. Ruth says

    July 11, 2008 at 1:59 am

    Wanda – “actually” is 4 syllables, which makes that line 6 not 5 syllables. 😉

    Unless you pronounce “actually” like “aktcherly”, which most people do. In which case, you’re fine.

    Reply
  25. Anonymous says

    July 11, 2008 at 2:43 am

    Mr. Meredith, whatta ya mean by “cheatin'”?

    Thanks,
    Slugs

    Reply
  26. Wanda B. Ontheshelves says

    July 11, 2008 at 4:05 am

    Hi Ruth,

    Actually, I am
    An “aktcherly” kind of gal
    Myself, in haiku

    🙂

    Reply
  27. Ruth says

    July 11, 2008 at 4:18 am

    Nice reply, Wanda!
    I’m hopeless at haiku – and
    say “aktcherly” too. 🙂

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Nathan. I’m the author of How to Write a Novel and the Jacob Wonderbar series, which was published by Penguin. I used to be a literary agent at Curtis Brown Ltd. and I’m dedicated to helping authors achieve their dreams. Let me help you with your book!

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