How To Write A Query Letter | Literary Agents | Will Dean

[@willdeanauthor]

I hope this is useful! Please do comment if you have questions. I’ll do my best to answer!

[@willdeanauthor]

My pleasure! Hope it’s helpful.

[@hollynicholls8882]

Are you going to make a video about plotting a novel?

[@willdeanauthor]

Yep! I’ll make it happen (although I’m not the best plotter!)

[@gypsydoratarot8441]

Will Dean - Forest Author Your book sounds so intriguing. Great query! How long was the process from query letter to publishing?

[@willdeanauthor]

Thanks so much! The process was pretty long. I was surprised how slow publishing can be. From landing an agent to getting a book deal took about 2-ish months. From getting a book deal to the book being stocked in bookshops around the world took about 18 months (and Dark Pines, my 1st book, is still to come out in some countries). Thanks for watching!

[@bogman192]

Well, that was very helpful. Thanks for making this video.

[@BookClubDisaster]

I like your point about understanding what your book is about.This wouldn't have made sense to me before I wrote my book. How could you possibly not understand it if you wrote it? But you do have to work hard to figure out how to put it into words.

[@jeffreybarker357]

Happy to see a traditionally published author share their actual query. Seems like everyone is else is giving generally the same formula--which is helpful in its own right--but hearing this is helpful. Thank you for sharing this!

[@shinbooks]

Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I am grateful to come across this video. I wish you continuous success in your career.

[@jezzer1969]

Thanks so much for this. I’m in the process of a final draft and after chancing on your channel. I’ve found it really helpful and invaluable. I’m not a naturally literary person. So this has been really helpful.

[@willdeanauthor]

Thanks for that feedback - much appreciated. Wishing you all best with your WIP!

[@therealsuze2697]

Thank you so much, Will. I am in the process of editing the first draft of my completed novel, so I am a ways from writing my query letter, but you made it a lot less intimidating. I hope to watch more of your videos.

[@josephlobo4019]

I have a book which has a long word count. I have gotten many rejections because of this, though positive feedback from agents. I could possibly divide the story into two books, but it would include a cliffhanger. Should my query letter only address the first book with the shorter word count and state a second book is completed. Thanks

[@willdeanauthor]

Yes, I think that would be a smart plan. A very high word count will put off some agents. Your new strategy sounds good. The main thing is to pique their interest and then you can discuss whether it should be one book or two. Good luck!

[@FloatingIdeasonanarrowboat]

Thanks, Will I especially liked the way you dovetailed your world experience into the letter. I will use that. I hadn't thought about it. I have direct analogies I can use, that relate to my writing.

[@willdeanauthor]

Great! Glad it was helpful. Wishing you all the best.

[@EdgewolfArt]

Have had my recent novel done for a couple months now. This Query Letter is always what postpones me from writing and moving forward, as well as finding any agents.

[@willdeanauthor]

I know what you mean. They’re tough to write. Wishing you all the best with it!

[@EdgewolfArt]

@@willdeanauthor Thanks.

[@calmit23]

I'm ready to query in new year so query fever is upon me...thanks for your perspective and knowledge...

[@willdeanauthor]

Exciting! Wishing you all the best with it. The process can take time but it’ll work out for you. Stick with it. Let me know if you have any questions. Good luck!

[@calmit23]

@@willdeanauthor Thanks...

[@michellerichardson5086]

Fantastic advice as always. Thanks Will!

[@willdeanauthor]

Thanks!

[@thebookhub6323]

Thanks so much for sharing. Really helpful and a fantastic example 👍

[@nicolaadam]

Thanks Will - love this. Really useful!

[@willdeanauthor]

My pleasure.

[@deannagreen2006]

@@willdeanauthor WILL DEAN I NEED YOU TO SHOW ME HOW TO WRITE A QUERY LETTER I WANT TO GET MY STORY OUT THERE THROUGH AN AGENT I JUST GOT OUT OF PRISON .AND I DON'T HAVE MONEY

[@deannagreen2006]

@@willdeanauthor WILL DEAN I WANT THEM TO HELP ME WRITE MY LIFE IN PRISON FOR 15 YEARS YOU THINK THE LITERARY AGENT WILL BE INTERESTED IN THIS STORY ? 5/17/20

[@willdeanauthor]

Hi Deanna. I think if you follow the steps in the video you should end up with something useable. Are you writing fiction or memoir?

[@pamjoseph2325]

Excellent video. Very helpful! ...You spoke on something I've been wondering for a while: the NAME CHANGE. At 1:27 , you stated your previous title and then stated it ultimately was changed to what it is currently. I have written a picture book manuscript and can NOT settle on a name. I'm in the process of creating the query letter and have a "working title". ...Who is responsible for a proper name for it if you aren't good at that or can't settle on a name? Thank you..and congratulations on your book success.

[@willdeanauthor]

Thanks for your comment! Don’t worry too much about the title. Just do your best. It’s actually a plus that you’re willing to be flexible over it as publishers do sometimes need to change them (because of the market, other books etc). Have a title that is good enough not to raise red flags with an agent/editor. Ultimately the title choice is kind of a team effort (authors and agents have input. Editors, publicists, sales managers, marketing people have input). Wishing you all the best with it.

[@pamjoseph2325]

@@willdeanauthor Wow. Thank you so much! ...For some reason, of all the research I've done about publishing, (in my experience) this doesn't usually come up. But hearing that, does take some stress off. ...I appreciate your response. Good luck to you as well! ☺️

[@elbowpipe]

Useful video, thanks. Going to check out your off-grid videos too as I believe it's a great alternative to mortgage-slavery. Would you mind saying how many agents got back to you for a full MS as a result of your query letter?

[@willdeanauthor]

Thank you. I queried 20 agents and had 10 full requests.

[@debramak5]

@@willdeanauthor Positive sign. Congrats~

[@forthedoggiesguitars2277]

You live off grid? You prep? You have a new subscriber. Thanks for the good information.

[@willdeanauthor]

Thanks for subscribing. I appreciate it. We’re forest people so we’re prepared for most things I guess and we’re ok with being cut-off from the world. Trying to be self-reliant as much as possible. Still have a lot to learn!

[@karenilsasage1994]

Thanks Will! Really useful.

[@willdeanauthor]

Glad it’s useful!

[@angelanurse3526]

Great video and some useful tips. Do you mind me asking what you did as a job before you were a full time writer?

[@willdeanauthor]

Thanks! Lots of strange jobs. I studied law but I worked in shops, bars, on a building site, selling haircut coupons on be streets. My last job was designing/building/managing trading platforms. Will talk more about my varied jobs in a video soon!

[@MrK.A]

Great video. I've heard people say only submit to six agents at a time so you don't burn out of options too quickly. Apparently this approach gives you an opportunity to edit the query letter. Would you still say that 20 at a time is a good approach? I'm undecided.

[@willdeanauthor]

Great question. I think it’s good to start out with small batches. I submitted to 5 agents at a time for years. It was only when I was more confident of my query package that I decided to submit to 20 immediately for Dark Pines. Both methods will work. But the small batches are good at the beginning. Wishing you all the best.

[@MrK.A]

@@willdeanauthor cheers mate. I really appreciate your help. And good luck with your latest book. I've already purchased Dark Pines. I've started reading it.

[@willdeanauthor]

Thank you! And if you have any other questions just get in touch.

[@76Sharona]

Thank you soooo much for sharing this with us...have a nice day in the forest...

[@willdeanauthor]

My pleasure. Thank you!

[@debramak5]

Well done. I'm in active search of an agent. My book is a memoir. Fast paced, covering 9 life-changing events that forces me to change and evolve. I'm a first time writer and looking for support. I'm also Swedish. If there's anything further you can do? Please respond. HELP!! Thank you, Will.

[@josephlobo4019]

Hello Will, I hope all is well. I was wondering if there is a way of beginning a query letter without referencing the number of words in the first paragraph. My completed debut novel is about 300,000 words and I am afraid mentioning this right away will scare away agents before getting to the meat of the query. What are you thoughts, and thank you.

[@willdeanauthor]

There are no rules. You don’t have to mention word count. If I’m completely honest 300k is a lot. It might be ok for fantasy/sci-fi but it will put some (many) agents off. Have you ever considered splitting it into a trilogy? Best wishes, Will

[@josephlobo4019]

@@willdeanauthor Thanks for the quick reply. I actually have divided the story into "Book 1"and "Book 2" of about 450 pages each (double spaced) hoping to avoid that problem. It is a crime scene / supernatural thriller. Would it be advisable to state this in the query? Thanks again!.

[@francisdeaguilar7447]

Thank you Will. I had always been told that using questions in a query letter was a bad idea. You have, and your letter was successful, so clearly I have been misinformed. Is your letter published anywhere? It would be helpful to see it on the page, so to speak.

[@willdeanauthor]

Thanks for your comment. Honestly, I don’t thing there are any rules. I’ll make a new video and show the letter in full. Coming soon.

[@gillianm9367]

Good advice here. How many agents did you hear back from and how long did each take to reply to your query letter ? I thought my query letter was good but this video has given me an idea to improve further. A good start to my day which I have set aside to read through my novel with a fresh perspective. Hope you are taking Vitamin D to deal with the lack of daylight in Sweden, very important!😊

[@janetmcdaniel2755]

How many words do you suggest in the query letter

[@willdeanauthor]

I suggest one page max. As concise as you can make it. Just keep reworking it until it’s really impactful and punchy. So an agent can’t ignore it. Wishing you all the best of luck!

[@martinpatrick8964]

London Calling. Dear Will, as a Member of Jericho Writers, may I ask you to read my under 350 word Query Letter, because Becca Day in a forum said: 'you're a good egg.' 🙃 Please advise. You've responded to me very recently. Regards, Dr Martin.

[@willdeanauthor]

Hello! I’m not doing this at the moment (deadlines) but I’ll make an exception. If you can email me at [e-mail] I’ll do my best to reply promptly. All best wishes, Will

[@martinpatrick8964]

@@willdeanauthor Will, your name comes up from time to time to time at Jericho. Thank you kindly for making an exception. I will email you tomorrow. Respectfully. Dr Martin.

[@oldsachem]

My standard pickup line for girls: I'm a writer with a hot book I wrote. Would you like to read my query letter?

[@charliebrown4624]

I can't help but wonder if she would have rejected Hemmingway because he'd spelled her name wrong?