Nathan Bransford | Writing, Book Editing, Publishing

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  5. Chro says

    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.”

  6. Dave F. says

    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.

  8. Anonymous says

    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?

  12. Anonymous says

    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.

  14. Wanda B. Ontheshelves says

    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

  15. Anonymous says

    Nathan,

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

  22. Anonymous says

    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?

  23. Nathan Bransford says

    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.

  24. Ruth says

    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.