Uploaded August 2018 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago

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Query letters can be daunting! Today I'm going to break the query down into three sections to create an easy template/format you can use to write your own query. I'm also going to demonstrate how this template plays out in successful query letters.



SHOW NOTES

It's easiest to think about the query in three sections. These sections should be roughly between 100 and 300 words in total.

Section One:
-The problem (what the character wants or doesn't want)
-The hook (something compelling about the story)
-The inciting incident (the disruption of the status quo)

Section Two:
-The action (what the character does in response to the inciting incident)
-A turning point in the plot

Section Three:
-(Optional) Another turning point in the plot
-The stakes (what the character will lose if they fail)
-The action (what the character must do to succeed)

 
Check out all of these queries in their entirety: ellenbrockediting.com/examples-of-successful-query-letters

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