UK versus US Queries
Posted: September 5th, 2010, 6:18 am
I'm stumped. Most of the good info regarding killer query letters comes from US agent blogs like this one, which recommend you go straight into selling your story. So for weeks I've been honing my query to make it as punchy and seductive as possible.
But I'm now submitting to UK agents, and have read that this, for example, makes for an acceptable query:
Dear John Smith-Jones,
I am currently seeking representation for my completed novel "Masterpiece", a 70,000 word thriller/sci-fi/romance, targeted toward the Thrill-Seeking-Scientific-Romantics imprint of your publishing house.
My story is similar in style and target-audience to your client, Mary Blech's novel, "Futuristic Amazonian Lovers".
My past publishing credits include: "Wonderful" - a short story sold to "Blah Magazine" in 1999 and "Amazing" - an award-winning article sold to "Humbug Publishing" in 2000.
Attached is a copy of the synopsis for "Masterpiece" The manuscript can be made available to you at your request and I can be contacted at the above listings.
I look forward to your response at your earliest convenience.
Regards, Super Author
Can this really be true? There isn't an awful lot of guidance out there for UK submissions, but those agents who specify, DO suggest they want a paragraph about the story at the most - and more info about the author.
Has anyone submitted successfully to a UK agent. If so, any tips?
Thanks,
Faye
http://theseconddeathofjuanlaroca.blogspot.com/
But I'm now submitting to UK agents, and have read that this, for example, makes for an acceptable query:
Dear John Smith-Jones,
I am currently seeking representation for my completed novel "Masterpiece", a 70,000 word thriller/sci-fi/romance, targeted toward the Thrill-Seeking-Scientific-Romantics imprint of your publishing house.
My story is similar in style and target-audience to your client, Mary Blech's novel, "Futuristic Amazonian Lovers".
My past publishing credits include: "Wonderful" - a short story sold to "Blah Magazine" in 1999 and "Amazing" - an award-winning article sold to "Humbug Publishing" in 2000.
Attached is a copy of the synopsis for "Masterpiece" The manuscript can be made available to you at your request and I can be contacted at the above listings.
I look forward to your response at your earliest convenience.
Regards, Super Author
Can this really be true? There isn't an awful lot of guidance out there for UK submissions, but those agents who specify, DO suggest they want a paragraph about the story at the most - and more info about the author.
Has anyone submitted successfully to a UK agent. If so, any tips?
Thanks,
Faye
http://theseconddeathofjuanlaroca.blogspot.com/