Query Letter Example

As I have mentioned before I am terrible at writing query letters. I have been researching them for several years, gone to conferences on them and read several agent blogs on how they should be written. None of the techniques they teach seem to have helped. I am still terrible at writing them. I don't blame anyone but myself. I seem to have a query writing mental block.

Below is an example is a query letter for my book, Forbidden. By no means is this a perfect example of a query letter, but it should give you the basic idea.

(Thanks to my sister, Cara, for helping. I know how irritating it can be working with me trying to get it just right. I appreciate all you do.)

Date

Dear (agent),

My name is Tasha Marshall and I am currently seeking representation for my book, Forbidden. After researching your agency‘s website I felt my book could be a good match for what you represent.

A marriage between two people in love is an event to celebrate; even more exciting when a child is born to that union. Unless that marriage is prohibited and the child considered a forbidden abomination, then a tragedy is inevitable.

Tristana Martin is that forbidden child. Adopted at birth, Tristana knows little of her secret heritage until a fight with a popular girl in her new high school ends in Tristana giving the girl a broken nose by using mysterious abilities. Unsure of what to do, Tristana is forced to turn to the handsome, but unsettling Aidan O’Reilly. Aidan claims he can help her control her gift as well as reveal the secrets of who she is and where she really comes from.

Frightened by the uncontrollable powers growing inside her, Tristana relents and listens to Aidan only to discover she has even more to fear then she first imagined. Now Tristana not only has to worry about keeping her magical gift a secret from the people around her, but from the, Domhaingrian, a covert magical society who would kill her if she is discovered.

Forbidden is a YA Fantasy and the first book in a trilogy. It is finished at approximately 107,000 words. I have been writing for several years, but Forbidden is my first attempt at publishing.

Thank you for your time.

Tasha L. Marshall

(Contact Information)