Note: This is by far the most frequently trafficked post on my blog. For additional posts on my search for representation, click here. For those of you seeking more information on Ms. Aragi, click here.
Here’s the letter (e-mail) I sent Ms. Aragi:
Dear Ms. Aragi,
I am writing to query Lithium, a 75,000 word complete novel. Lithium centers on the character of Marianne Caxton, a manic-depressive poet and novelist. Marianne abandons her son Mark at the age of three after discovering his father Quentin is having an affair with her sister Laura. The story is told from Mark’s point of view. The action begins with Mark returning home from university to his father’s house in Seattle to learn of Marianne’s murder.
Mark sets off to Ann Arbor, Michigan where Marianne spent her last days. He wants to know who she was, why she abandoned him, and how she met such a violent end. During the process Mark must fight through his own depression during the summer of 2001. He learns of his father’s affair with Laura, and he entangles himself in two separate affairs as he uncovers the story of his mother’s life and death.
Lithium spans the last quarter of the twentieth century and the beginning of the twenty-first. It is a story about renewal, about rising from the wreckage.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Thomas Litchford
Any comments?
4 responses so far ↓
1 random visitor // Nov 11, 2006 at 9:09 pm
I would say that, personally, I prefer the description of your novel posted on the “about” page of your blog. It is short, snappy, and intriguing. This query letter, by contrast, goes into probably more detail about the plot than is necessary, and becomes a bit hard to follow.
Also, it might enhance the letter to add a couple of sentences about you – what you do for a living, or life experiences that may have informed your novel, or some other detail from your biography. Or mention your educational background or short stories published in literary magazine, if any, or any other credentials.
Finally, it might help to add a line saying why you chose this particular agent. For example, state why you think you would fit well on her list, or mention which authors of hers you especially admire. Something to personalize it.
Good luck!
2 Thomas // Nov 12, 2006 at 1:06 pm
Thanks for your comment, random visitor. I’m in the process of revising my query letter, and I’ll take your thoughts into consideration.
3 Lithium » Blog Archive » Comments Appreciated! // Nov 12, 2006 at 2:26 pm
[...] Every once in a while I get a comment that is trully helpful, whether it offers advice or humor. [...]
4 Lithium » Blog Archive » New Query Letter // Nov 16, 2006 at 9:23 am
[...] Here’s a draft of a query to an agent who asks for a paragraph about the writer. The part I revamped is the second paragraph. What do you think? My old query letter can be found here. Dear Mr. _____, [...]
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