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A query letter is a very concise pitch of an article or book idea. Authors use query letters to line up assignments before they even write the article. But many professional writers do some preliminary research and gathering of reference materials before writing and submitting a query letter to a magazine, newspaper, publisher, or literary agent. In fact, the query letter may be one of the key signals that the submitting author is an experienced professional. Most new writers compose articles and then try to find a market to sell it. Seasoned professionals come up with an idea and pitch it to secure an assignment before investing any time in writing the article. They have learned to work smarter by using a simple query letter to line up work.

Some editors will not even read submissions of full articles or manuscripts. They require authors to pitch their ideas through query letters. The query letter makes it easier for editors to go through piles of pitches. In a few paragraphs included in the query letter, the editor will discover your topic, your writing skill, and your writing history. The editor will be able to quickly decide if your idea is a match for their publication or publishing house by spending a few minutes reading your query letter.

For information on writing a query letter that gets noticed by editors, check out a copy of The Renegade Writer’s Query Letters That Rock .

With the expert advice in this book, you will be able to write a query letter that shows the editor that you are a professional.