How to write a query letter (and why this skill matters even if you self-publish)
The KidLit Creator’s Chronicle – Issue #49
“Karen, how do I write a query letter?”
I hear this one from time to time, usually from authors who’ve just finished their manuscript. Usually it comes from authors who have decided to go the traditional route and want to make sure their query gives them the best possible chance.
I’m a self-publishing advocate, and the vast majority of authors I work with go that route. Self-publishing gives you creative control, faster timelines, and better royalties. There’s no gatekeeping, and there’s no waiting around for months hoping someone decides your story is worth their time.
But traditional publishing is a real path, and for some authors, it’s the right one. If it’s something you’re drawn to, or even just curious about, you deserve a clear, honest picture of what it involves.
And here’s what I’ve come to realise: even if you never intend to query an agent, understanding how a query letter works can actually sharpen your self-publishing skills. Because every good query letter requires a skill that every author needs, regardless of how they publish.
More on that in a moment.
A Query Letter Is Really a Pitch
A query letter is a short, professional pitch that authors send to literary agents or publishers to get their book considered for representation or publication. It’s typically one page, maybe 250–350 words, and it needs to do a lot of work in a very small space.
Think of it as a job application for your book.
But here’s the thing. The skills that go into writing a great query letter:
- creating a hook
- summarising your story
- identifying your audience
- and knowing where your book fits in the market…
…are the exact same skills you need to market your self-published book effectively.
Writing your Amazon description. Pitching your book to a school or library. Posting about it on social media. Talking about it at a book fair.
So whether you’re heading down the traditional path or sticking with the self-publishing, this is worth your time.
How to Write a Query Letter (Step by Step)
Let’s walk through the key elements of a strong query letter. Keep in mind that every agent or publisher will have their own submission guidelines, so always check and follow those exactly. These are the building blocks that almost all of them expect to see.
Start with a polished, finished manuscript
This might sound obvious, but do not query before your manuscript is truly done and polished. Get feedback, revise, and if possible, hire a professional editor. Agents receive thousands of queries and they can tell very quickly if a manuscript isn’t ready.
One more important note: do not commission illustrations before querying. Traditional publishers will assign their own illustrator. Arriving with illustrations already done can actually work against you.
Open with a strong hook
Your opening paragraph needs to grab attention fast. Lead with a one or two sentence hook that hints at the heart of your story, then wrap up the paragraph with your book’s title (capitalised), genre, and target age group. Think of it as the back cover of your book, distilled into two sentences.
Sum up your story in a way that makes them want more
This is the core of your query. For a picture book, two to four sentences is enough. (For longer books, aim for one to three short paragraphs.)
Cover:
- Who your main character is
- What they want and why
- What stands in their way and what they stand to lose
Be specific. Don’t rely on vague themes. Don’t give away the ending. And if you’re writing fiction, let your pitch mirror the tone of your book. A funny book should have a query that makes the agent smile.
Include comparable titles
Mentioning two or three books similar to yours in style, tone, or audience shows the agent that you know your market. Aim for books published within the last five to ten years. Avoid using titles so famous that they feel like lazy comparisons (think beyond Goodnight Moon).
A useful formula: “It will appeal to readers of [Title A] and [Title B].”
Add your bio and key details
Keep this brief and relevant. You can include:
- Previous publications (with publisher and year)
- Involvement in writing groups or organisations like SCBWI
- Writing awards
- Your book’s word count
- Whether the book could be the start of a series
No publishing credits? No problem. Just state clearly that this is your debut. Agents know everyone starts somewhere.
Personalise each query
Research each agent before you query them. Make sure they represent your genre. Read their submission guidelines carefully and follow them to the letter. A brief personalised note at the top, referencing a book they’ve represented or something specific they’ve said in an interview, goes a long way. It shows you’ve done your homework and that you’re not just sending a mass email.
Keep it brief, and close professionally
Your whole query should be between 250 and 350 words. Close by letting the agent know whether you’re submitting exclusively to them or simultaneously to others. Thank them for their time. Don’t pressure them with “I look forward to hearing from you soon”. Just keep it warm and professional.
A Query Letter Has More Value Than You Think (Even If You Never Send One)
When I look at what a well-crafted query letter actually requires, I see a checklist that every self-publishing author should work through, even if their query never lands in an agent’s inbox.
Think about it.
Your hook is your Amazon book description.
Your pitch is how you talk about your book at a school visit or in a social media post.
Your comparable titles are how you understand where your book sits in the market and who you’re writing for.
Your bio is part of your author page, your back cover blurb, and your author profile pages.
One of the biggest struggles I see among self-publishing authors is that they can’t describe their own book. They wrote it, they love it, but when someone asks “What’s it about?” they stumble. The words don’t come. Or LOTS of words are used to describe it.
It’s a clarity problem.
And the discipline of writing a query letter, even just as an exercise, forces you to get clear.
So I think every author should try drafting a query letter, at least once. Not because you’ll necessarily send it anywhere, but because the process of writing it will teach you things about your book and your reader that nothing else will.
Traditional publishing is slow, competitive, and uncertain. But the skills it asks of you? Those are universal.
What a Good Query Letter Actually Looks Like
Let me show you two real examples so you can see these principles in action.
In Nathan Bransford opening paragraph of his query for Jacob Wonderbar and the Cosmic Space Kapow, he included:
If you searched for a book that was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike THE BOOK THIEF (which I absolutely loved), you might just have JACOB WONDERBAR AND THE COSMIC SPACE KAPOW, a middle-grade-and-up science fiction novel that I just completed. Still fun! But no one dies – Mr. Death would be lonely.
Notice what he did there. He named a comparable title, established genre and age group, and made the agent smile, all in one sentence. The tone of that opening line matches the tone of the book perfectly.
Tracy Gold opened her query for Everyone’s Sleepy but the Baby with:
“Everyone’s Sleepy but the Baby” is a picture book showing the entire family and house getting ready to go to bed–even though the baby’s not sleepy at all!”
One sentence that makes the whole concept crystal clear, followed by speaking directly to her reader’s experience as a tired parent. She also referenced titles from the specific publisher’s own catalogue. This is smart and shows she did her homework and gave some thought as to why this would be a good fit.
While these letters are different in style, they share the same winning elements: clarity and specificity of theme, age group, who the book is for and concept.
Over to You!
I’d love to know where you stand on this.
Are you exploring traditional publishing? Or are you firmly in the self-publishing camp? Maybe you’re somewhere in between, still working it out. Either way, I’m curious. And if you’ve ever tried writing a query letter (or tried and given up halfway through in a mild panic), I want to hear about that too!
Tell me in the comments. I read every response, and your questions often inspire the next KidLit Creator’s topic. So don’t be shy.
If there’s a topic you’ve been wondering about, whether it’s something about writing, publishing, or marketing your children’s book, ask me that too. This chronicle exists for you.
Whatever path you choose, traditional or self-published, what matters most is that your story gets out into the world and into the hands of the children who need it. That’s the goal we’re all working towards.
Keep writing, and keep going!
