The career novelist

THE CAREER NOVELIST

A Model Query Letter

COMMENTS

1. Proper letter format shows
   that the writer is serious and
   businesslike.


2. Introductory paragraph
   makes a connection (albeit
   remote) between agent and
   writer and states the writer's
   purpose.


3. Although a bit cute,
   this summary is short and
   to the point. Note that
   the writer has included
   only the three key com-
   ponents to her story:


4. Setting


5. Protagonist


6. Problem


7. Writer limits biographi-
   cal details to those that
   are relevant to the story,
   enhance her writing
   stature, and provide
   information useful in
   marketing.


8. Closing offers two
   options for submission.
   SASE is enclosed.

Conclusion: Though there

are already CPA mystery

series on the market, this

letter scores.

Edwina Writer

101 Main Street

Anywhere, US 00000

Donald Maass

Donald Maass Literary Agency

157 W 57th St, Suite 1003

New York, NY 10019

January 1, 1997

Dear Mr. Maass:

("Your name was given to me by Dean Koontz. He

2.1 suggested you as a possible agent for my first

I mystery novel, DEATH BY DEPRECIATION.

DEATH BY DEPRECIATION is set in the corporate

halls of the Big Eight accounting firms. My pro-

tagonist, |ill Tracy, is a sexy CPA who can make a

balance sheet get up and dance. She also has a

(^3) -i problem: Her biggest client, a clothing designer,
is cooking the books. The IRS is closing in on
him. So is the mob. He owes money to both.
When he turns up dead in Jill's shower she must
number-crunch like crazy to save her bottom line.
1 am both a CPA and a writer. My short stories
have appeared in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine
and CPA ]ournal. The enthusiastic response of my
fellow CPA's to my stories has encouraged me to
.try a novel.
Would you care to read the manuscript, or a por-
tion and outline? I enclose an SASE for your
reply. Thank you. I look forward to hearing from
you.
Sincerely,
Edwina Writer
enc.
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