This Site is Secure
[php snippet=1]
Query Letter - How to Write An Agent Query

Query Letter – Agent Query

Query Letter - How to Write An Agent QueryWhat questions do you have about writing a query letter? If you’re like most of the authors I speak with each week as an author coach, you probably have lots of questions. The #1 question I’m always asked is, “How can I write an agent query that will result in lots of requests for my manuscript, followed by lots of offers for representation, followed by multiple offers from top publishers? This website, devoted to query letters, is my answer to that question. It features a free 15-part training called How to Write a Literary Agent Query that will tell you everything you want to know about writing a book query–and everything you don’t even know to ask.

Answers to Your Questions About Query Letters

Find answers to the following questions
on this website about agent queries:

  • What is a book query?
  • What’s the best length for query letters?
  • What’s the difference between an agent query and a book synopsis?
  • What’s the most popular query format?
  • Is there a sample book query, book query example, or query template I can model?
  • What’s an agent query hook–and what’s the best one to use?
  • What is a SASE?
  • What is the best book query format and email query format?
  • How can I tell which advice about query letters to follow–and ignore?
  • Where can I get a query critique?

Create Irresistible Query Letters

My name is Mark Malatesta and I’m a former literary agent and the former president and owner of New Brand Agency Group. I’m also the former Marketing & Licensing Manager of Blue Mountain Arts, the book and gift publisher that invented e-greetings and then sold their e-card division for close to $1 billion dollars. Today I’m an author coach and my primary focus is helping authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children’s book) get the attention of top literary agents. Through my companies The Bestselling Author and Literary Agent Undercover, I help authors at all stages of development through various Websites for Authors and 1-on-1 Author Coaching.

Authors I’ve worked with have gotten six-figure book deals and been on bestseller lists such as the New York Times. Their books have been published with major publishers such as Random House, Scholastic, and Thomas Nelson. Their books have been optioned for television, stage, and feature film with companies such as Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks. They’ve won countless awards. And, their writing has been licensed in more than 40 countries, resulting in millions of books sold.

Who knows?

You might be next.

Now, before we get started, if you’ve noticed there’s lots of conflicting information out there about how to write an effective query… don’t worry. I’m going to separate the good advice from the bad advice. I’m also going to show you why successful authors, literary agents, and other publishing insiders often disagree about the best way to write query letters. And I’m going to share some thing with you about pitching your work to literary agents that you’ve never heard before.

Lastly, you should know that the #1 reason I got into the publishing industry more than 15 years ago now, was to figure out how to get my own books published. That means I know what it’s like to pour your heart into a manuscript that you hope will one day be read by lots of people. I also know how incredibly competitive the publishing industry is, and sometimes one “little” tip or suggestion from an insider can make a big difference and change someone’s life.

Are you ready to get started?

Let’s go…

Use the information on this website to help your book get noticed. After all, that the only thing that any talented author needs–the right person at a literary agency and publishing house to actually read it.

Click here now for instant access to my free
How to Write a Query Letter training.

And remember…

Getting published isn’t luck,
it’s a decision,

– Mark

Mark Malatesta

.
[ulp id=’7eiChJ2Jwopr2E5y’]

Search

See more results...

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

Join Us

When you enter the directory you’ll also get free access to our article and audio library with additional information to help you get a top literary agent, publisher, and book deal. You can unsubscribe easily at any time – we don’t spam.

Directory Features


* 1,000+ literary agent profiles and bios
* Searchable by book genre/category
* Preferred query method(s)
* AAR membership status
* Personal email addresses
* Mailing addresses
* Agent photos
* Links to agency websites
* Maps to agency offices
Author Success Story: Memoir  
Author Picture

"I got the number one agent on my wish list thanks to Mark. He’s done more than 100 deals in just two year and has a long list of accolades, including being talked about in the New York Times. Within 4 minutes of sending out my revised query letter, my literary agent called me on the phone. Less than 30 days later I had three major publishers making offers. And, a few days after that, I signed a deal with Random House. Mark’s query letter did that." [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews]

Author of the memoir Lights Out (Penguin Random House)   
Author Success Story: Fiction/Young Adult  
Author Picture

"When I got the phone call about my publishing offer with Harcourt, I was in my office with three other people. I slammed down the phone, ran into the secretary’s office, threw myself down on the floor and said, ‘I got a deal!’ They sat there and held my hand. I was speechless. I’ve never ever been that happy in my life. On my wedding day I wasn’t that happy! Getting married and having children are wonderful experiences, but I didn’t ‘work’ to get my children!" [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews]

Author of many YA novels including The Body of Christopher Creed (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)   
Author Success Story: Fiction  
Author Picture

"Before I revised my query letter with Mark, I got no responses. When I sent out my new query, I got four requests for more material within 24 hours The support Mark provides is fantastic. His suggestions changed my original query significantly, but they also helped me see that I had something to offer. Now I have a top agent! Mark is smart and reliable and working with him has made all the difference." [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews]

Author of novels including The Wings That Fly Us Home (Penguin Random House / Ballantine Books)   
Author Success Story: Nonfiction/Business  
Author Picture

"Not long after Mark helped me land a top literary agent, I got a call from my agent letting me know that I had three different publishing offers from well-known publishers: Amacom, Palgrave Macmillan, and McGraw-Hill who recently published my book in hardcover! It was a fantastic feeling and a huge smile came over my face. For a moment I felt like life was perfect and the angels were singing." [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews]

Author of the business book Customer Focused Process Innovation (McGraw-Hill)   
Author Success Story: Fiction/Mystery/Thriller  
Author Picture

"Ballantine Books published my first two novels in hardcover and paperback after Mark Malatesta helped create an auction and bidding war for my books, resulting in a six-figure offer. Mark is one of the rare and genuine good guys, but he also has incredible information (even his ideas have ideas). One of the most important keys to success as an author is good information and support." [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews]

Author of the mystery thrillers 24/7 and Black Valley (Penguin Random House / Ballantine Books)   
Author Success Story: Nonfiction/Self-Help  
Author Picture

"Mark helped me get five different offers for representation from top literary agents. I signed with Stephanie Tade who got me a 6-figure book deal with Penguin Books, which published my book in hardcover! When Stephanie first contacted me, she was very excited and said, ‘I can’t get your book proposal out of my head. It’s brilliant – I mean, really, it’s fantastic. Editors should be salivating by the time they get to the chapter outline.’ Working with Mark was completely worth it." [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews]

Author of the self-help book Woman on Fire (Penguin Random House / Penguin Books)   
Author Success Story: Memoir/Christian  
Author Picture

"Before I decided to work with Mark, I submitted my book to literary agents but didn’t get any interest. After I revised my query letter and book proposal, I got several agencies interested and decided to sign with Fine Print Lit, a top literary agency in New York. They got publishers bidding against each other and I ended up signing a contract with Thomas Nelson (an imprint of Harper Collins) for what I’ve been told by several people is a very large advance. What cloud is higher than 9?" [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews]

Author of the memoir The Unbreakable Boy (Harper Collins / Thomas Nelson)   
Author Success Story: Fiction  
Author Picture

"It has been an awfully long and bloody road towards publication but I’m finally on my way. Hard work, struggle, disappointments, and perseverance are important. So is following the advice of publishing industry experts like Mark. He helped me get a top literary agent and now my novel, The Wrong Hand is being published by Penguin Books and their prestigious Michael Joseph imprint, which is ‘principally interested in publishing Top Ten Bestsellers’. It’s hard not to be excited." [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews]

Author of the novel The Wrong Hand (Penguin / Michael Joseph)   
Author Success Story: Eleven Fiction and Nonfiction Titles  
Author Picture

"Finding Mark has been both a treat and a treasure. I now have two different agents for my work, and a book deal with Sky Horse Publishing. I’ve served as Creative Director of the TIME Incorporated Magazine Group; Director of Time World News Service, a Founding Director of TIME-Life Films; Executive Producer for both the CBS and NBC Television Networks; and Producer/ Director: Movies of the Week: CBS Cinema Center Films and Universal MCA. You just can’t do it alone today as an author." [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews]

Author of eleven fiction and nonfiction books (Harper Collins and many others)   
Author Success Story: Nonfiction/Narrative Nonfiction  
Author Picture

"Berkley Books recently published my book in hardcover after Mark helped me get multiple agents interested in my work. I was able to speak with literary agents from top agencies such as Janklow & Nesbit, Trident Media, Anderson Lit, and Folio. I signed with Don Fehr at Trident Media and a short time later I had a publishing contract! Having Mark on your side is incredibly valuable." [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews]

Author of the narrative nonfiction book Single Handed (Penguin Random House / Berkley Books)   

About Mark Malatesta

Photo of Mark Malatesta - Former Literary Agent MARK MALATESTA is a former literary agent turned author coach. Mark now helps authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children's books) get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company Literary Agent Undercover and The Bestselling Author. Mark's authors have gotten six-figure book deals, been on the NYT bestseller list, and published with houses such as Random House, Scholastic, and Thomas Nelson. Click here to learn more about Mark Malatesta and click here for Reviews of Mark Malatesta.
0
Shares
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

News and updates to get a top literary agent, publisher, and book deal.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Question or Comment?