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Marketing - Six: Writing the query letter

© Joanne Reid

INTRODUCTION

I read a lot about the rules and regulations that apply to query letters. In my opinion, there really are only two rules for writing a query letter:

1. It must be only one page long.
2. It must be interesting.

I usually write a query letter. Even locally, I send out queries to editors. It's tempting to pick up the phone and call the editor down in the Exchange District. But he or she is often just as busy as the editor in downtown New York. However I do present local query letters a little differently. I write them as fax memos. More on that later.

THE ACTUAL LETTER

First, the paper: Don't bother getting fancy with paper. I used either plain bond in a white #10 envelope or, if I have it handy, cream colored paper in a matching envelope. I don't have letterhead printed up but I do put my return address in a fancy presentation. I can't duplicate it here in e-mail but essentially, I put my name, address, phone, fax and e-mail centered at the top in Times Roman. Then I drop down a line and add a horizontal line (usually just a long line of underscore marks [from above the hyphen on the keyboard]). I type the letter using either Times Roman #12 or Courier.

Oh, and I usually include a SASE. It gets me my answer more quickly.

The query has these main parts:

The return address.

- Include a phone and fax number (if you have one)

- Include your e-mail address (yes, they do use them)

The date.

The editor's name.

- Unless you have the name from the most recent issue of the magazine or otherwise know for absolute sure that the name is write, check it out. Call. Ask someone on the internet.

The address.

- Make sure it's right.

The greeting.

- I try to avoid Miss, Ms. and Mrs. Sometimes you can't tell for sure because the editor uses an initial or has an androgynous name. I usually write it as Dear Betty Jones, or Dear Christopher Dafoe.

The first paragraph.

Jump right into your pitch (remember them from last week). One paragraph and remember the whole letter has to fit on one page so this paragraph has to be short.

The second paragraph.

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