If your goal as a novelist is to secure the representation of a literary agent, then you’ll need to write a query letter. Daunting? Not anymore! In Query The Writer-in-the-Know Guide to Getting Your Manuscript Requested, Angie Hodapp of Nelson Literary Agency takes you step-by-step through writing the four-part query letter. From the greeting and project summary to the pitch and bio, you’ll learn not only what to include, but also how to avoid the common pitfalls that cause agents to reject so many query letters after only a few seconds. In addition, you’ll find answers to the following • How do you find the right agents to query? • How important are genre, word count, and comparable titles? • What are some overused words and phrases to avoid in your query letter? • Do you need prior publications or other credentials to get an agent? • What’s the best query strategy for you? • How do you set up a query tracking system? Part industry manual, part fiction-craft guide, this book shows you how to turn the best parts of your novel into the best possible query letter—one that stands out in the slush pile and will get agents excited to read your manuscript.