How to Write an Email Query Letter

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In today's increasingly online world, many editors are now accepting email query letters in addition to, or instead of, traditional snail mail query letters . There are some important tips you should consider when sending an email query instead of a mail query.

Email Query Template

Sample Email Query Template
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f4\/Write-an-Email-Query-Letter-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-an-Email-Query-Letter-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f4\/Write-an-Email-Query-Letter-Step-2.jpg\/aid899317-v4-728px-Write-an-Email-Query-Letter-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Take the time to find the exact email address you need to send your query to. [1]
    • Ensure the editor you are contacting accepts email query letters. While it is becoming increasing more popular, some editors still prefer snail mail query letters. Make sure your email will be accepted before you send it. [2]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/06\/Write-an-Email-Query-Letter-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-an-Email-Query-Letter-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/06\/Write-an-Email-Query-Letter-Step-3.jpg\/aid899317-v4-728px-Write-an-Email-Query-Letter-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    To prevent your email from appearing to be spam, use the subject line "Query: Subject/Title". [3]
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  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3f\/Write-an-Email-Query-Letter-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-an-Email-Query-Letter-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3f\/Write-an-Email-Query-Letter-Step-4.jpg\/aid899317-v4-728px-Write-an-Email-Query-Letter-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Email is often perceived as more casual, but this is a business communication, so use a formal salutation.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/09\/Write-an-Email-Query-Letter-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-an-Email-Query-Letter-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/09\/Write-an-Email-Query-Letter-Step-5.jpg\/aid899317-v4-728px-Write-an-Email-Query-Letter-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Use the same format and information as you would in a written query , however try to make it more concise. [4]
    • If necessary include  to include any attachments.
    Nicholas Sparks, Writer

    Put time and effort into pitch materials. "Above all, a query letter is a sales pitch and it is the single most important page an unpublished writer will ever write. It's the first impression and will either open the door or close it. It's that important, so don't mess it up. Mine took 17 drafts and two weeks to write."

  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7b\/Write-an-Email-Query-Letter-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-an-Email-Query-Letter-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7b\/Write-an-Email-Query-Letter-Step-6.jpg\/aid899317-v4-728px-Write-an-Email-Query-Letter-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Include your writing address and telephone number, as well as your email address. [5]
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/63\/Write-an-Email-Query-Letter-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-an-Email-Query-Letter-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/63\/Write-an-Email-Query-Letter-Step-7.jpg\/aid899317-v4-728px-Write-an-Email-Query-Letter-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Proofread, spellcheck, and read over your email. [6]
    • Use proper grammar. Don't use net-speak.
    • If you wrote your email in a word-processor and then copy-pasted it to email, check for characters that did not copy properly. Often word-processors use special characters that will appear as gibberish in email programs.
    7. Advertisement

Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I write an email to a customer?
    Community Answer
    Try to stay polite and professional when interacting with a customer. Discuss the situation with a calm and well-oriented manner, and tend to the customer's needs and inquiries during the transaction. Just before you finish the transaction, ask the customer if they have any more questions.
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  • Question
    How do I send writing samples in an email?
    Community Answer
    You should only do this once someone asks for it. If they do, send a link to your document in view only mode. This document should not be your entire novel, just a small sample of it.
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    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 3
  • Question
    What can I use for a greeting instead of "Dear Sir"?
    Community Answer
    You can use "Dear Sir/Ma'am" or simply "To Whom It May Concern." If it's not a terribly formal email, you could also just begin with "Greetings."
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      References

      1. ↑ https://nybookeditors.com/2015/12/how-to-write-a-darn-good-query-letter/
      2. ↑ https://nybookeditors.com/2015/12/how-to-write-a-darn-good-query-letter/
      3. ↑ https://query-letter.com/how-to-write-a-query-letter/email-query-letter-format/
      4. ↑ https://writerunboxed.com/2016/04/09/basic-tips-for-writing-an-email-query-that-actually-gets-read-all-the-way-through/
      5. ↑ https://www.dailywritingtips.com/emailing-a-literary-agent/
      6. ↑ https://www.dailywritingtips.com/emailing-a-literary-agent/

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