Kelly Thomas

Can a bad query letter keep a literary agent from reading your manuscript? Not always, but it definitely can. Most literary agents understand just how difficult it is to summarize an entire manuscript in a few short paragraphs, especially if you’ve never done it before. We don’t expect writers to be professional salespeople or marketing experts. Writing a compelling pitch is a completely different skill from writing a book, and we know that.

Because of this, most agents give writers quite a bit of leeway. Your query doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t even have to be close to perfect! If the premise is intriguing, many agents will overlook a less-than-stellar pitch and take a look at the sample pages. But there’s a difference between a query that needs some polishing and one that’s an absolute mess.

If a query is poorly written, disorganized, riddled with grammatical errors, or difficult to follow, it can raise some serious red flags. An agent may start wondering whether those same problems exist throughout the manuscript. And if they do, how much editorial work is going to be involved in getting that manuscript ready for submission?

Most agents are juggling existing clients, reviewing submissions, negotiating contracts, communicating with publishers, and managing countless other responsibilities. Many simply don’t have the time to take on a manuscript that requires extensive developmental editing or multiple rounds of revisions. And if your query suggests that’s what they’re getting into, they may decide not to read any further.

So put your best foot forward! Your query letter is more than a summary of your story. It’s your introduction to an agent, your opportunity to spark their interest, and a chance to showcase your writing abilities.

What’s the hardest part of writing a query letter for you?

Let me know in the comments!

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