I’m continuing my highlights from the 2010 SCBWI Florida Mid-Year Workshop and Intensives. Today I’m going to share what I learned from the editors and authors about query letters and how to construct one that is compelling and can result in a request for full or partial manuscript.

The following notes are from the Novel Intensive with senior editor Alvina Ling (Little, Brown), Editorial Director Stephanie Owens (Disney-Hyperion), and author Kathleen Duey and the YA Track Workshop with editor Brian Farrey (Flux) and author Danielle Joseph.

Part One - The Pitch

  • A one sentence pitch can be an effective opening in a query letter.

  • The most important part of the query letter is the synopsis — the plot summary of the novel. This is similar to the flap copy of published books.

  • A good synopsis highlights character and conflict. A good synopsis is short and to the point. Keep details to a minimum. Focus on why an editor/agent would want to read the book.

  • Your synopsis should go into the first major conflict (usually this occurs in the first 50 pages).

  • Vagueness in the query letter is your enemy. Put in specific actions that affect your character.

  • No need to describe the physical characteristics of your main character in your query letter.

  • Try not to include too many secondary characters in your query letter. Only include secondary characters who are directly in conflict with the main character.

Part Two - Novel Specs

  • Try to keep “themes” out of your query letter.

  • Try not to repeat the title name in the query letter.

  • Show why you are querying the editor or agent. Use this opportunity to show that you’ve done your research but be careful of “buttering” up the editor with compliments.

  • Make sure you identify the age group and genre in your query letter.

  • Make sure that when you are comparing other books to your novel in your query letter that these books are in the same genre (don’t compare a children’s book to an adult book and vice-versa). Also be careful when comparing your books to “classic” or “iconic” titles. Try to choose contemporary titles.

Part Three - Bio

  • Showing personality can be effective but be keep it in context to the contents of the query letter.

  • Listing conferences are not as important as listing a blog or any other kind of online Web presence.

  • It can be beneficial to list any writing organization memberships.

  • Professional credentials can be helpful if it is directly related to your novel.

Be sure to check back on Friday when I conclude the week with more highlights from the conference. I’ll be sharing comments on First Pages. I found this particularly helpful in what works and what could be improved when trying to capture an editor and/or an agent attention.

Stay tuned!