Lucky you if you have an agent. The agent gets to ask the editors. I am not sure, but I think they write query letters. I'll have to find out. Perhaps they know enough editors to just call them on the telephone and ask if they'd like to see their client's latest brilliant attempt.

Maybe.

Well, anyway, if you are a first timer and have not been published, you have this query letter standing between you and the editor and possible publication, so you'd better write a good one.

There are a gazillion places on the internet that tell you exactly how to write a good query letter. I counted them. A gazillion...oops, there goes another place. Some romance writer just put up an essay on querying. And she's got it down pat.

She knows exactly what you should write.

So do I.

But I have to tell you, even with the most fabulously correct query letter, and the kindest editor, you still might not sell your story and there is no earthly reason why you won't. It's probably not even the letter or the words you choose. It could be something just doesn't grab the editor. It might grab another editor. So write the query anyway.

Here's how.

Use some sort of letterhead paper. Make it up on the computer. Put your name in nice font and offset to catch the eye. Make it look professional. You have the ability in your computer to do all sorts of magic stuff. Do it. Use white paper or off white. It does not have to be heavy grade, 20# stuff will do. I suppose you could use the fancy stuff over by the invitation paper in Staples, but it is not necessary. You won't attract any more attention using fancy paper if what you have to say isn't any good.

Do the name, address, date stuff for yourself.

Get the editor's name and position at the house (senior editor, executive editor, editorial assistant, what have you) correct. These can be found in the Writer's Market or one of the writing magazines. But be careful. Editors are always on the move. If you send to an editor who hasn't been at that particular house for five years, nobody is going to open that envelope. Check your facts. Be sure where you are sending things. And "to the editor" just doesn't hack it. Name a real name at a real place with a real title. Look it up.

Next...tell the editor what you have to sell. How many pages you expect it to be or how many words, do the word thing actually, and a pretty accurate count. Tell what kind of story it is...if it is romance, is it sweet, dark, western, paranormal, historical, contemporary, suspense...that information is a big help. If the editor doesn't particularly like that type of story, you may be out of luck, but if you did your research, you'll know what he or she wants and likes. If the editor is kind and is intrigued by your query, he or she may pass it on to someone at that house who does happen to like that type story. It happens, particularly at the very big houses. Or among friends.

But what you have to say about your story is important. After you give the particulars as to size and genre, tell in as few words as possible, what your story is about. If you have a heroine, give the editor an idea of what her problems are and where she is in her life. What does she need to do to move on and if this is a romance, what does she need to do with this guy who will inevitably show up.

Next, tackle the hero. He has a reason for being, also. He has problems, he has back-story that may be essential, just like the heroine. Has he been injured on the job, something that physically or mentally holds him back from accomplishing his goals? If he hates women, this can't be a romance, but it can be science fiction or fantasy. Make the editor see the characters. Make the editor want to read about them and how they resolve their problems and how the story progresses, but not in such great detail that it becomes a synopsis. That comes later and I do not write about them ever, except to swear.

Next, oh, next. You may want to include some facts about yourself. You have writing credits other than the high school newspaper and ads for your yearly garage sale. Don't fake anything. Never make yourself out to be much more than you are because you might just get called on it. Tell what writing organizations you may belong to and anything pertaining to writing that makes sense and doesn't make you look like you are desperate to prove you are ready to be published. A sick mother won't help, it may hinder. Besides, the editor doesn't care about that stuff. She will want to know how well you write. This query letter is all you've got so far.

Some editors don't really care for the what you have or have not written part. If your story is about the Navy SEALS, however, and you WERE a Navy SEAL or you married one, you should include that. If you are writing about NASCAR and you've driven a race car or gone to all the races on the East Coast, you might stick that in. Build yourself a platform. If you write about an oversexed librarian and you are a librarian, that's going to catch his or her interest. Build yourself a nice platform of believable ideas. Don't lie, don't say stuff you can't back up with fact.

Don't try to be cute, don't write book reports, don't brag, either. Saying how great the manuscript is will get you nowhere fast.

There, it's that simple.

Sign it and send it off.

Then wait.