Writing The Non-Fiction Book Query Letter

All writers know the importance of a good query letter, yet few have mastered the technique of writing a really great one. A query letter is your number one sales tool and your first impression.  The purpose of a book query letter (letter of inquiry) is to get your proposal in the publisher's (or agent’s) front door.

It should be short  (not over one page). Set it up like a regular business letter with your name and address and the editor and publishers name and address.  It should be straight to the point since you have a lot to include in a little space.

You may (unlike an article query) send these letters to a number of publishers at the same time (I am divided over this when it comes to agents). You need to select publishers and editors you think would have an interest in your book.  You can check this out in Publishers Weekly. Twice a year they have spring/summer, and fall/winter issues to let publishers introduce their new books (you will find this in most libraries). This gives you some idea of what individual publishers are buying. We also send for publisher's catalogs and check out their latest offerings on the Internet. We use Literary Market Place or the Writers Guide to Book Editors, Publishers and Literary Agents to select the acquisition editors we think might like the book. Send to as many publishers imprints as you think might be interested in your book. 

Now, here’s what you put in your query.

The title: often after the editor’s name we simply say. "Proposed book", then the title.

The hook or lead: This is often called the hook because its purpose is to reach out and hook the editor and pull him or her on into the query. This is usually a short paragraph that throws up a problem the book is going to solve, peaks the editor’s interest, or offers information that makes the editor read on. I find that once you get used to the style you can write a lead in your sleep. A lead, however, must capture a busy editor’s interest and that takes careful writing.

Let’s look at a couple here.

1.      Almost all parents today admit they have discipline problems with their children. Many have become frustrated and discouraged by their youngster’s misbehavior, but can’t seem to do anything about it (there are a couple more paragraphs here, but you are compelled to read on to see how the author intends to solve this universal problem).

2.      At some point, in almost every career, an individual suddenly realizes that his or her career path has come to almost a complete halt, either because that individual has burned out, the job has dead ended, the company is downsizing and laying off, or the career field is shrinking. This can leave anyone shell shocked and unable to help themselves. (we’ve got a great problem going here, now we just have to show how the author is going to approach it.)

What the book is about:  In one to three sentences Explain exactly what the book is about. This should be short and clear.

Most parents don’t realize this misbehavior is limit-testing on the part of their children. They are unaware that their attempts to say “no” often end up sounding more like “yes”, “sometimes,” “maybe.” These ineffective messages invite limit testing and resistance that leads to escalating conflicts and power struggles.

This book, SETTING LIMITS, uses a turn-around, three step, TRIC (training responsible independent children) approach to put the spotlight on the “games” many families play, and determines whether they set soft or firm limits. It then explains in clear steps how to train children (ages 2-17) to make acceptable choices and how to use consequences to correct unacceptable behavior.

The Author

Introduce the author and explain why he or she is qualified to write the book (briefly). Always remember that you must try to identify this with what the reader can get out of the book. This can be combined with what the book is all about

Example:

Dr. Robert Mackenzie is an Educational Psychologist and Family Therapist with more than 13 years experience helping parents and teachers handle children’s learning and behavioral adjustment problems. He provides family counseling services and parent/teacher training workshops for a large Northern California school district, several hospitals, childcare programs, parent groups and a wide variety of community agencies.

Putting the Book Together Explain how the book works or what it is going to do for the reader. In some cases you stop when you have explained the author’s qualifications and eliminate this section. .

Example:

This book, SETTING LIMITS, uses a turn-around, three step, TRIC (training responsible independent children) approach to put the spot light on the “games” many families play, and determines whether they set soft or firm limits. It then explains in clear steps how to train children (ages 2-17) to make acceptable choices and how to use consequences to correct unacceptable behavior.

Final Paragraph: Ask for the Order

That is, say that if the editor is interested you will be glad to send a proposal and sample chapter (or chapters). Then add, let me know.

Never tell the editor how great the book is, just give him or her the facts about the book.  This again is your first impression, so go over it several times and make it as clear and as intriguing as possible. If it goes over one page, rework it.

Now, let’s look at some examples.

QUERY LETTER FOR SETTING LIMITS

Great Book Publishing Co.

John Jones, Senior Editor

1162 Great Books Drive

Chicago, IL 60656

Dear Mr. Jones:

Proposed book:  Setting Limits: a positive Approach to Discipline That Puts Parents Back in Control by Dr. Robert MacKenzie

Almost all parents today admit they have discipline problems with their children.  Many have become frustrated and discouraged by their youngster’s misbehavior, but can’t seem to do anything about it.  They’ve tried yelling, threatening, lecturing, reasoning, bribing, spanking and grounding, all without success.  Some have concluded their children are out of control and unreachable.  These parents share one thing in common, they are ineffective limit setters.  The results are: temper tantrums, family fights, lying and other undesirable behaviors.

Most parents don’t realize this misbehavior is limit-testing on the part of their children.  They are unaware that their attempts to say “no” often end up sounding more like “yes”, or “maybe”.  These ineffective messages invite limit testing and resistance that leads to escalating conflicts and power struggles.

This book, Setting Limits, uses a turn around, three step TRIC (training responsible independent children) approach to put the spotlight on the games many families play, and determines whether they set soft of firm limits.  It then explains in clear steps how to train children ages 2 to 17 to make acceptable choices and how to use consequences to correct unacceptable behavior.

Dr. Robert MacKenzie is an Educational Psychologist and Family therapist with more than 13 years experience helping parents and teachers helping parents and teachers handle children’s learning and behavioral adjustment problems.  He provides workshops for a large Northern California school district, several hospitals, childcare programs, parent groups and a wide variety of community agencies.

May I send you a proposal, outline, sample chapters, author’s bio, marketing section and book comparison section?

Sincerely,

ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF A NON-FICTION QUERY LETTER

Great Book Publishing Company

John Jones, Senior Editor

1162 Great Books Drive

Chicago, IL 60656

Dear Mr. Jones:

Proposed book:  How to Jumpstart a Stalled Career by Charles Prugh

At some point in almost every career an individual suddenly realizes that his or her career path has come to almost a complete halt, either because that individual has burned out, the job has dead ended, the company is downsizing and laying off, or the career field is shrinking.

To move forward, either on the present job, in a completely different career, or even to start a new business. That individual must reassess basic values, plot a new course and literally rewrite his or her work script.  This can leave anyone shell shocked and unable to help themselves.

And this is what How to Jumpstart a Stalled Career is all about.  Using these concepts career consultant, Charles Prugh, has developed over the years, this book first helps the individual explore his or her inner abilities and needs using the “library of experience and the summary of career accomplishments” to pull out unexpected strengths and make the most of them.

This is the internal corner stone of the Prugh system.  The external corner stone takes this information and asks the reader, who is going to hire you and why?  Or how do your real strengths fit present market needs.  This helps the individual become the source of the solution.

The techniques in this book, practiced for many years by Charles Prugh can be used by anyone to revitalize burned out or bogged don careers, make mid-life career changes, land a new position fast after a layoff, survive and prosper after a company reorganization and in general, keep a career moving forward in the face of any or all obstacles.

May I send you a proposal, outline, sample material, author’s bio, marketing section and book comparison section?

Sincerely,