Before querying- Write these

1. A completed manuscript

   Although it's tempting to start querying before your manuscript is 100% polished, it is a really bad idea. You want to be ready to send over that full manuscript the moment an agent shows interest. If it still leads one more pass, don't start querying.

2. A query letter

   This is your foot in the door. I will go into great depth in the form of the query letter. There are tons of resources online both explaining the format and what should it should not be included. There are also editing services that will look and help you revise. As part of Jericho writers, each year I get one free query letter evaluation.

   
   

3. Synopsis

   This is the full story, including all spoilers. It should be around 500 words and fit onto a single sided a4 page. Most agents will ask for this. It doesn't matter if your story is 60,000 or 120,000 words it is a challenge to get it down to 500 words, but that is part of the hoops they're trying to get you to jump through.

   
   

4. An elevator pitch

   This should be between 50 and 100 words. The idea is if you got stuck with someone on an elevator how would you sell your book of them? It should include: who is the MC, what is the problem they're facing, and how are they gonna fix the problem?

   
   

5. A one sentence pitch

   Many agents seem to be asking for a single sentence pitch. This takes boiling down your manuscript into its very essence. Think about the mean thread that runs through the whole story.

   
   

6. 1000 word biography

   Query tracker will give you 1000 words box to write your biography. Use your creativity to expand and let them get to know you.

   
   

7. Know your Audience

   Although you may feel like this focus for everyone, it's not. Think about the age range, gender, socioeconomic, what things the reader would be drawn to.

   
   

8. The first 50 pages & first 3 chapters

   Most agents will either ask for the first 50 pages or the first three chapters. It's important. These are formatted correctly and saved as a name that is easily recognizable by both you and the agency. This means no “final final draft.” I label mine BROKENTRADWIFE:StevieMack-50p.