Emailing queries without samples

[Meadowhawk]

Originally Posted by SJAB

Teatime; if it is Donald Maass your querying I would suggest you send a snail mail (airmail) submission, because unless they want to read more you won't get an answer. They don't answer all email queries, a lot of US agents don't.

I've heard similar feedback from other writers who have submitted to Maass. Donald is more 'old school' in his preference for snail mail--unless you are submitting to Jennifer Jackson, she has her own submission guidelines on her own webpage.

If you submitted snail, you would eliminate your problem of being concerned with the 'hook' appearing twice in the body of the same email.

Best of luck!

[Teatime]

Hi all, I'm looking at snail mail US submissions at the moment, many of them ask for a query with sample material (ie much like UK agents who ask for a covering letter, 3 chapters etc). In these cases, should the query still be more than the UK style 'covering letter', which essentially states what is enclosed and thanks the person for their time?
Do people recommend I keep the hook, and all that, in the 'query' letter? As that seems more important for when the query stands on its own, with no additional material in the package.

Thanks

[Tirellan]

The query letter to a US agent is dramatically different to that for a UK agent. You must have that 'hook' paragraph. There are many examples of good query letters out there. Nathan Bransford's blog for example Nathan Bransford - Literary Agent

You will also need 90c worth of postage to get your response (though requests for further material usually come by e-mail)