My 14 Point Query Letter Checklist
Have you ever paid any attention to the return envelope utility companies send you in their billing statements? The next time that you sit down to pay your bills, look at the back of one of the envelopes. There’s a good chance that you will see a checklist of things to do before mailing back your bill so that your account gets properly credited with your payment. Have you:
- Enclosed payment portion of your statement?
- Enclosed check for your payment?
- Completed return address area?
It’s the simple things that often get overlooked …
Anyway, I have a similar checklist that I review before I mail any query letter out to an editor. My checklist includes:
- Have you addressed the editor by name? - No “Dear Sirs” here!
- Have you included a Self-Addressed, Stamped Envelope (SASE)?
- Have you included a phone number where you may be reached during the day?
- Have you listed your prior publications?
- Have you included clips? - If you got them include them. Don’t mention it if you don’t.
- If photos are available, have you mentioned it in your query?
- Have you stated the length of your proposed article?
- Did you mention your working title?
- Have you included a list of possible sources, whom will you interview?
- Have you spell checked your query?
- Have you grammar checked your query?
- Have you stated how long it will take you to have the completed article on the editor’s desk?
- Is your query only one page long, on white, 81/2” x 11” paper?
- Have you included a strong “call to action?” – For example, “I hope this topic interests you, and I look forward to your response. If you would like to see the article, I can have it on your desk within two weeks of receiving your acceptance.”
If you can answer “Yes” to these 14 points, your query letter has a good chance of being read and seriously considered by an editor. If you answered “No” to even one point, you need to go back and revise your query before you mail it out.
Until next time …
No day without a line!
Want to Improve Your Chances of Getting Published?
Follow the Rule of 12. Simply stated the Rule of 12 is, you should have at least twelve query letters in circulation at all times. That’s right, you should have twelve query letters on editor’s desks at all times.
Now having twelve queries in front of editors is a bit scary, because that opens you up to lots of rejection. And, while it’s part of being a freelance writer, being rejected is hard. On the other hand, having twelve queries making the editorial rounds will have a tremendous and positive impact on your success as a freelance writer.
How? You’ll get better at writing query letters - a good skill for any freelance writer. You’ll receive more acceptance letters. And, since you’re receiving more acceptances, you’ll earn more money. Now that may be over simplified, but I think you get the point. As Tony Robbins says, “Massive action will yield massive results.”
Getting to the point where you have twelve query letters out will take some time. Set a goal for yourself. Try to send out two or even three query letters every week until you have twelve in circulation.
Once you have twelve queries out, one of two things will happen. One, you’ll receive a rejection letter. In that case review your query to ensure that it is clear and concise and send it out to another editor. Two, you’ll receive a go-ahead for the article. In that case, write another query letter and get it in the mail or email, within 24 hours if at all possible, and get to work writing the article.
In time you’ll find that you are receiving fewer and fewer rejection and receiving more assignments. Congratulations on your assignment.
Until next time …
No day without a line.
I do the Stupidest Things Sometimes
This past weekend my daughters had a basketball game. And, since we also planned a small party for my daughter’s 14th birthday afterwards, my wife asked me if I minded running to Walmart to pick up some cake plates before the game started. Like a good husband I thought it was a good idea.
So, after dropping my wife and daughters off at the high school, I went to Walmart. It wasn’t crowded, so I was able to get the plates and get out of there in record time. “I should be back before the tip-off,” I thought to myself. While standing in the checkout line, I glanced at some magazine covers and there, on the cover of the February 2008 issue of O: The Oprah Magazine, was an article, Tell Your story! A Top Novelist Show You How. I had to have it! So, I paid for the magazine and the plates and practically skipped out to the car … I love buying books and magazines! (grin)
Anyway, on the way back to the game I realized that I had spent my admission money on Oprah’s magazine. Now what? Not even an ATM nearby. If I want to go back to Walmart I’d miss the tip-off. So, I did what any self-respecting man would do. I rummaged through the car hoping to find another dollars worth of change so that I could get into the game. I searched every nook and cranny. Nothing. I could not find a single penny!
I knew that my wife had cash. So, a little embarrassed, I asked the young man working the ticket counter if I could go get some money from my wife, who’s already been admitted, to pay for my ticket. He smiled and said that it would be okay.
I made it back for the tip-off! It was a close game too.
As for the article in O, novelist Wally Lamb doesn’t reveal any profound new writing wisdom. He does reinforce some solid writing truths however. Like, “In writing, as in life, voice is crucial … imitate no one. Your uniqueness – your authenticity – is your strength.” If you get a chance pick up a copy, it’s worth reading.
Oh, my daughter’s team won the game: 24-23.
Until next time…
No day without a line.
-
Subscribe
