Writing With Courtesy
A conflict over how to word query letters rages mildly on a forum in which I participate. On one side are two supposedly experienced and published authors. On the other, I seem to stand alone, upholding the standard of common courtesy and good manners for business writing. And make no mistake, a query letter is a business letter. Writing is a business, and all your correspondence concerning it are formal communications, not jaunty, cutesy, flippant shorthand notes.
The kinds of letters I am referring to, of course, are those you send to someone you don't know already, letters asking a favor -- read my manuscript (novel, story, article, poem), consider publishing it, represent me, tell me what's wrong with it. Once you have established a relationship with an editor, an agent, a publisher it is fine to write to them in a more casual, friendly manner.
If you write to someone to ask them to look at your work, it is logical to put the request in writing at some point in the letter. It is also a good business practice to mention any attachments or enclosures (like a self-addressed, stamped envelope; a synopsis; an outline). The other parts of your package may have become separated, lost or even (heaven forfend!) you may have forgotten to include or attach them. It happens to us all.
In my book, well, in my letters, it is not acceptable to simply blast the recipient with your hook, your creds, perhaps a tie-in to their publication or other authors represented, and then leaves those elements hanging over your signature. A good query, like a good book or story, has a beginning, a middle and most importantly, an ending--all in a business style.
Gina Ardito, writing in the AutoCrit Writing Center on queries, offers a sample query with this ending:
The kinds of letters I am referring to, of course, are those you send to someone you don't know already, letters asking a favor -- read my manuscript (novel, story, article, poem), consider publishing it, represent me, tell me what's wrong with it. Once you have established a relationship with an editor, an agent, a publisher it is fine to write to them in a more casual, friendly manner.
If you write to someone to ask them to look at your work, it is logical to put the request in writing at some point in the letter. It is also a good business practice to mention any attachments or enclosures (like a self-addressed, stamped envelope; a synopsis; an outline). The other parts of your package may have become separated, lost or even (heaven forfend!) you may have forgotten to include or attach them. It happens to us all.
In my book, well, in my letters, it is not acceptable to simply blast the recipient with your hook, your creds, perhaps a tie-in to their publication or other authors represented, and then leaves those elements hanging over your signature. A good query, like a good book or story, has a beginning, a middle and most importantly, an ending--all in a business style.
Gina Ardito, writing in the AutoCrit Writing Center on queries, offers a sample query with this ending:
With this letter I've enclosed a copy of the synopsis and the first three chapters of "The Bonds of Matri-money." If I've managed to capture your interest and you wish additional information, please feel free to contact me.Ardito's article contains other good query tips, including ones about winning attitudes and what's courteous and what's not.
I look forward to hearing from you and thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Author
Labels: writing
posted by Georganna Hancock M.S. | 9:07 AM
4 Comments:
You mention there's a conflict "raging mildly" about upholding courtesy when writing a query letter.
Really?
What do the others advocate? Being rude as a way to grab an editor's interest?
As an editor, that wouldn't work for me.
I'd love to know what the other side is saying because I can't see anything that outrageous in what you're askng for in a query letter. It's called professionalism.
Beth@TheWritingRoad
Thanks, Beth, for your comments. No, they don't say to be rude, they say to leave out the elements I mentioned, and I think that makes for an unprofessional communication.
But then, I'm appalled that some writers' first approaches to an editor are by emails that begin with "Hi,". Even worse, some editors accept these chatty, informal queries and assign articles.
I guess I'm stuck in the antiques era, although I love the convenience of email and was texting in the 80s on BBSs, it still feels awkward to me as a first approach to someone new.
Thanks for the mention, Georganna. I think many published authors forget that the unpublished do not have the same freedom when it comes to contacting publishing professionals. My experience has always been that with so many manuscripts on their desks, editors and agents are looking for ways to send a quick rejection letter and remove another from the ever-growing pile. Why give them that opportunity on the first page of your submission package? Cutesy or casual's fine when you've built up a solid reputation and have a name in the industry. Before that, it's professional suicide.
Dear Ms. Ardito:
Welcome to A Writer's Edge and thank you for commenting on this issue. You make a good point about providing an opportunity for instant rejection. Sad to say, I know the feeling well because I receive at least one of these types of emails weekly. Perfect strangers address me by my first name, preceeded by the jaunty "Hi!"
I hope new writers and those who think they may want to freelance or author a book will read your article, which is also available on your website.
If you would like to contribute a guest post or article to A Writer's Edge, please contact me at your convenience.
Sincerely,
Georganna Hancock
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