Guidelines for writing a query letter

Your query letter is your foot-in-the-door of a publishing company. Here are some guidelines for writing a query letter. You want to peak the editor’s interest so he/she will want to read your book proposal, sample chapters, and ultimately the entire manuscript.

· Use your professional stationery.

· Find out the name of editor by calling the editorial department of the publishing company and asking who handles the type of material you're submitting.

· Attach a stamped, self-addressed, return envelope.

You can use this outline to fill in the specifics of your letter.

Editor’s name & title

Address of publishing company

Dear [name of editor]:

[Give the reasons you are contacting them: e.g., because they have done books on your subject or you published with them before.]

TITLE AND SUBTITLE will spread my unique message [subject hook and book hook, 2 paragraphs max]

[MARKET, 1 paragraph]

[AUTHOR BIO, 1 paragraph]

[PLATFORM, 1 paragraph—how you will promote the book]

[STATS] e.g., The manuscript is xx,xxx words and will be completed by xx. This book will ideally be packaged with xxx. It has the potential for foreign rights. I have material for several more books of xxx.

[THANK THEM. They are doing you a favor by reading your material.]

It is my sincerest hope that you will favorably receive and review this query. Thank you for your time and consideration. May I send you my completed book proposal?

Sincerely yours,

Tips on writing a book proposal

Writing a book proposal can be a daunting task, but the effort can pay off big time in helping you get your book published. Here are some tips on writing the proposal.

· Once you have written your book proposal, it is much easier to write the query letter, which is a condensed version of the book proposal.

· Hooks, hooks, and more hooks. Hooks will spread your unique message. Include a subject hook, your book hook, and hooks for the synopsis of each chapter of your book.

· Before sending your book proposal, be sure to check out the publisher’s Web site for manuscript submission guidelines. Each publisher is different, so you may need to modify your generic proposal to fit each publisher’s requirements.

· Send your proposal to a specific editor, not to “Whom it may concern.”

· Follow the advice of a professional. I strongly suggest reading How to Write a Book Proposal by Michael Larson.

Testimonials

“That’s just the way it was!”
Mary Rodes Leaphart’s reaction on reading her book Mary and the Dean for the first time


“You and I both know that I couldn’t have done this without you.”
Jack Spangenberger’s response when his book Road to Discovery was published


“Her patience and constant support throughout the editing and publishing processes have provided me with both daily pleasure and a valuable education.”
Jeff Roberts’s words after his book was ready for the printer

List of References Books and Web Sites for Writers

(This is not meant as a definitive list, it’s just books and Web sites that I have found useful.)

Guide to Book Publishers, Editors, & Literary Agents, 2004, by Jeff Herman
How to Write a Book Proposal, 3rd Edition, by Michael Larsen
Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition
The Chicago Manual of Style, 15th Edition
The Self-Publishing Manual: How to Write, Print and Sell Your Own Work, 14th Edition, by Dan Poynter

The following can be found in the reference section of your local library:
A Guide to Chicago Book Publishers, 2003
Guide to Literary Agents: Where and How to Find the Right Agent to Represent Your Work
Literary Market Place: The Directory of the Book Publishing Industry (2 volumes)
Writer's Market: Where and How to Sell What You Write
http://www.writersmarket.com

Web sites
Independent Writers of Chicago (IWOC) www.iwoc.org
Independent Book Publishers Association www.pma-online.org
http://www.blogger.com/ (free blog set-up site)
http://www.iuniverse.com/ (online P.O.D. publisher)
http://www.booktalk.com/
http://www.bookwire.com/

What's a Book Shepherd?

CARLYLE CARTER, BOOK SHEPHERD

editor writer, teacher/trainer, manager, marketer

HIGHLIGHTS
Carlyle is an editor and publisher with over thirty years of experience in publishing. She has worked for many publishers, either on a fulltime or freelance basis, including Follett Publishing Company and Rand McNally, in the Chicago area, and Heinle & Heinle Publishers, in Boston.

When she works individually with you as an author, she is a “book shepherd.” As such, she gently leads you on the path to getting your words into print, either through publishing or self-publishing. The real benefit of a book shepherd is her network of professionals, who bring their particular expertise to your project. She manages the entire publishing process—editing, design, typesetting, proofreading, printing, and promotion. Clients pick and choose the services they need. Her authors always say, “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

SERVICES AVAILABLE
· Complete manuscript editing
· Writing / ghost writing
· Interviewing / research
· Proofreading
· Custom layout / design / production
· Custom full-color cover design
· Printing / binding
· Marketing / promotion
· Book proposal and query letter writing
· Training / workshops / coaching
· ISBN (international standard book number) assignment (required by book retailers)
· Copyright registration under your name
· Placement of your book on amazon.com, borders.com, barnesandnoble.com, and other online bookstores

FORMATS
· Books
· Audio recordings

BENEFITS TO THE YOU, THE AUTHOR
· Saves you time and money (helps you avoid potential costly mistakes and provides those services you need on a timely basis)
· Connects you to a network of resources (e.g., designers, printers, typesetters)
· Assures you have all you need (e.g., ISBN, bar code, copyright notice)
· Reduces the stress inherent in the publishing process (particularly for the first-time author)
· Provides a coordinated effort (e.g., the cover of your book will be harmonious with the interior) · Positions your book for success (provides marketing and promotional consulting to make your book appealing to the target audience)

RELEVANT PUBLICATIONS
Publishing
· Childhood Memories and Petits Pains au Chocolat by Denise Khaitman Schorr (in process) Helping Denise find a publisher or grant
· Voluptuous God: Musings of a Christian Heretic by Reverend Robert V. Thompson (Wood Lake Publishing, fall 2007) Helped Bob write his book proposal and query letter, edited sample chapters

Self-Publishing
· Homesteader’s Daughter by Mary Carter (in process) )—memoir
· Little Stories by Jeff Roberts (2007)—collection of short stories
· Road to Discovery: Chicago to Fairbanks by Jack Spangenberger (2006)—travelogue
· I’m a Global Child (1994-2000)—Twenty-four French and Spanish curricula for students and teachers in Global Child, a company Carlyle co-founded that offers foreign-language instruction and products for children
· Mary and the Dean by Mary Rodes Leaphart (1988)—memoir

EDUCATION
· Magistère, French language and civilization, Sorbonne, Paris, France
· MAT, education and French, Brown University, Providence, RI
· BA, music, Randolph-Macon Woman’s College, Lynchburg, VA

Writer's Workshop, March 7, 2007

A Writer’s Workshop

Where: The Parlor at Lake Street Church, 607 Lake Street, Evanston, IL 60201
When: March 7, 2007, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Memory, Insight, and Ink: A Writer’s Workshop, Part II

Find out how to become a published author!

Part I of the Writer’s Workshop was a big success, with about thirty people in attendance, their creative juices flowing. We are looking forward to seeing you again this Wednesday, when I will introduce you to the steps you can take to pursue any of the wide variety of opportunities for getting your words into print (publishing, self-publishing, print-on-demand).

You do not have to have attended Part I of the Writer’s Workshop to attend Part II.

Bring pen and paper, as some writing will be involved.

The workshops are part of the LSC Adult Education Program. There is no fee.

Join us at the special Writers’ Table at the Recharge dinner in the Parker Room on the workshop evening so we can share our writing/publishing dreams before class begins in the Parlor. Recharge opens at 5:45 p.m. Cost for the meal is $6.

Carlyle Carter

Contact me (mcarlylecarter@yahoo.com) for reservations or more information. If you have already registered, you do not need to register again.