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Book Proposal E-Mail Query Template
Keep your query short and to the point -- ideally around 300-400 words, and no more than 500. Just fill in the details as indicated, though put the letter into your own words. Also, don't use bold type, underlines, or italics, since your query will go out as a text message, which is most likely to be received and read. Use CAPS for emphasis instead.
Subject Line: (HIGHLIGHT THE MAIN POINT OF YOUR BOOK AND BE SPECIFIC; VERY IMPORTANT -- THIS IS WHAT WILL GET THE EDITOR TO OPEN UP YOUR E-MAIL QUERY)
Dear ********* (THE EDITOR'S/AGENTS' NAME WILL BE FILLED IN BY US HERE):
Would you be interested in my [NONFICTION BOOK/NOVEL] TITLE which is about (DESCRIBE THE SUBJECT AREA OR PLOT IN 20 WORDS OR LESS).
It features (DESCRIBE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BOOK IN 1-2 PARAGRAPHS; ABOUT 5-8 SENTENCES).
I believe TITLE is marketable in that (GIVE ONE OR MORE REASONS, SUCH AS "IT IS THE FIRST BOOK TO COVER THIS TOPIC FROM THIS PERSPECTIVE" OR DESCRIBE HOW YOU WILL BE SUPPORTING THE BOOK THROUGH YOUR OWN PROMOTIONAL EFFORTS).
(NOW WRITE A PARAGRAPH ABOUT YOUR EDUCATION, BACKGROUND, EXPERIENCE, ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERSHIPS, OR OTHER FACTORS THAT SHOW WHY YOU ARE IN AN IDEAL POSITION TO WRITE AND PROMOTE THIS BOOK.)
I would be happy to submit a [PROPOSAL OVERVIEW/PROPOSAL AND SAMPLE CHAPTER/COMPLETE NOVEL] or other materials for your further consideration. I can also submit (MENTION ANYTHING THAT MIGHT HELP PROMOTE THE BOOK, SUCH AS PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS, LETTERS OF ENDORSEMENT FROM PEOPLE IN THE FIELD, NEWS CLIPS OF PREVIOUS PUBLICITY, A LIST OF THINGS YOU MIGHT DO TO PROMOTE THE BOOK, ETC.)
I hope you will be interested in pursuing [TITLE OF YOUR BOOK] , and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME
ADDRESS YOUR PHONE NUMBER YOUR EMAIL |