Query Letter 11.12.08 or Sparkle and Three-toed pandas!

Query Letter:

1. Sparkle: Will more often than not look a lot like your story lede. Could be a rhetorical question. To hook interest and demonstrate that your story is right down their alley. This should be the best example of how you can right, throughout the entire query letter.
2. Credentials: Mention the previous publications in which you have been published.
3. Showcase your skills: - Rite reall good Your query letter should sparkle without.
4. Close letter: Set a follow up

Other helpful tidbits that will no doubt help you and your query letter sparkle:

1. Before writing your query letter, read two or three copies of the magazines to which you wish to submit.
2. Generally, keep query letters to one-page in length.
3. For email queries, write no more than a single screen, and do not send email attachments. (Doc recommends copying and pasting any attachments into the body of the email.)
4. Include date.
5. Should be addressed to the appropriate editor.
6. Stay away from, if at all possible, from titles such as Mr., Ms., Mrs.
7. Use formal address, such as Dear Mike Smith, but not Dear Mr. Smith because hey, Mike Smith could be a girl named Mike.
8. Don't stress if perhaps they "steal" a story idea you sent to them. Just don't query to them anymore. They aren't worth it.
9. That void where unanswered query letters go is the same place as where the lost socks from the dryer end up. Who knew!

Links to helpful websites about query letters (that sparkle!):

http://www.poewar.com/how-to-write-a-query-letter/