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:

  1. Enclosed payment portion of your statement?
  2. Enclosed check for your payment?
  3. 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:

  1. Have you addressed the editor by name? - No “Dear Sirs” here!
  2. Have you included a Self-Addressed, Stamped Envelope (SASE)?
  3. Have you included a phone number where you may be reached during the day?
  4. Have you listed your prior publications?
  5. Have you included clips? - If you got them include them. Don’t mention it if you don’t.
  6. If photos are available, have you mentioned it in your query?
  7. Have you stated the length of your proposed article?
  8. Did you mention your working title?
  9. Have you included a list of possible sources, whom will you interview?
  10. Have you spell checked your query?
  11. Have you grammar checked your query?
  12. Have you stated how long it will take you to have the completed article on the editor’s desk?
  13. Is your query only one page long, on white, 81/2” x 11” paper?
  14.  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!

February 25, 2008 · Filed Under Query Letters, Writing Advice

Comments

One Response to “My 14 Point Query Letter Checklist”

  1. Mallory on March 5th, 2008 10:55 pm

    Thank you Bill for the advice.

    Mallory

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