The quandaries of Queries

So querying is probably one of the more frustrating parts of the writing process going into publishing. If you seek traditional publishing, you have to query either publishers that are accepting non-represented books or agents.

I have queried probably over a dozen agents with earlier versions of my book aaaaand I wish I hadn't. According to their profiles, most of the time, if an agent declines your query, they decline it for the whole literary agency they work for. So essentially you've now been cut off from their entire list of agents because the agent you chose didn't jive with your writing.

I plan to query about 10 more agents before summertime in hopes of catching someone's eye with my now far more polished manuscript. Yet if I don't get any offers of representation, I may move on to plan B which is to self-publish.

What to put in a query

A lot of sites that I've read say there is no exact formula for writing a query other than you have to hook the agent. You should always look at the specific agent's guidelines and requests before you query them.

Here are some of the sites I read up on before constructing my query.

https://nybookeditors.com/2015/12/how-to-write-a-darn-good-query-letter/

https://www.janefriedman.com/query-letters/

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-a-query-letter

There should be an intro and pitch line to try and hook the agent quickly so they don't get bored.

Then there is the meaty bit and summary of the main story points without giving it all away.

Finally, there is the author's bibliography or perhaps the "why?" behind the story. Why it was written, your credentials as an author, etc.

Again this is not a definite thing, as you really need to look at the agent's submission guidelines.

My breakdown

Here is my current query pitch that I am sending out.

Introductions and Pitch Line:

My name is K.C. Auburn and the first book in my trilogy is Mythera Chronicles: The Lost Athenaeum. In this 70,000-word YA/adult crossover fantasy novel, a timorous thief must journey to the lost Athenaeum, in search of the truth about her powers, to save her estranged younger brother from a dark entity.

Brief Synopsis or quick summary of the book without giving it all away:

While living on the streets of Mythera, Aylith has a vision of a dark force, the Morhach, swallowing her estranged younger brother. Aylith, the Eruanna, is meant to be the keeper of peace among the races but she hides from herself. Her powers have only brought pain and death to her and her family.

The Seer reveals to Aylith a prophecy and directs her to the lost ruins of the Athenaeum in search of the truth about her power. Along the way, she will begin to face her personal demons to strengthen her abilities. An ancient Order seeks her out through a trusted ally to defeat the darkness that rises in the shadows. Caden learns about his lost sister and traverses the wilds in search of her. His mentor begins to teach him much about himself, growing into the man he believes himself to be. Yet there is a much more sinister plot that grows just beyond their sight. With each new success that Aylith achieves in understanding herself and her power, she is guided along the Order's desired path to her assigned fate.

Author Bibliography and other tidbits:

I began writing this story with my older sister, Brianna. After she passed away, I decided to finish writing our book to honor her. The loss of my sister was hard but I found peace in writing and tied that real-life experience into Aylith's journey. She deals with grief, anxiety, trust, and forgiveness. I have completed the work as a three-book series, originally a single 220k-word novel. If my work is not for you, I would deeply appreciate you passing me along to another you think would accept it. If you choose to request the manuscript, I know that you feel my sister’s presence within the text.

Let me know what you think!