How to Write a Fiction Query Letter that Stands Out

You’ve poured your heart into writing a novel, and now you want to get it published! The first step? Learning how to write a query letter. Whether you’re pitching an agent, a small or hybrid publisher, or an acquisitions editor, you need a strong query letter—one that will stand out in a sea of submissions.

What is a fiction query letter?

A fiction query letter is your chance to make a strong first impression. It’s a one-page pitch that introduces your book, showcases your writing skills, and convinces agents (or acquisition editors at small presses, like Yorkshire Publishing) to ask for your full manuscript.

Who needs a fiction query letter?

All fiction authors looking for an agent or publisher should write a query letter. If you are already established with a publisher, they may have a different process for submitting new projects. So, make sure to follow their guidelines.

Nonfiction authors should write a book proposal, and you can find our guide to writing a book proposal here.

What to include in a fiction query letter

Every query letter includes a few basic components, which we’ll explore in detail:

1. A compelling hook
2. A book description
3. Book details
4. Author bio
5. Brief, polite close

The Hook

Your query letter’s first 1-2 sentences should immediately grab the reader’s attention. Think of it as the elevator pitch for your book—just 1-2 sentences that spark interest and pull the reader in. A good hook often hints at the protagonist, conflict, stakes, or voice, whatever makes your story feel irresistible.

Fiction query letter hook examples:

Spanning from the Oklahoma frontier to the aftermath of WWII, this literary family saga follows a son’s long journey through guilt, grief, and grace as he seeks to understand the father he could never live up to and undo his past mistakes.

After a surgical mix-up gave 13-year-old Noah Baker mind reading powers, he became a spy tasked with stopping the bad guys.

Book Description

This should be 1-2 paragraphs that expand on your hook, providing a summary of your protagonist, the plot, and what’s at stake. This is your chance to showcase your story and why it matters.

You can also include a few comparative titles. Comp titles are recent (within the last 5 years) successful books that are similar in tone, structure, or theme, but also explain what sets your book apart.

Example book description:

Told through the eyes of Jordan, the youngest son of the McClellan family, the story traces three generations shaped by love, loss, and the quiet ache of unmet expectations.

More drawn to books than the family farm, Jordan grows up in the shadow of his larger-than-life father and brother. But when tragedy strikes, guilt drives him into a downward spiral and sends him on a restless search for redemption—from the Caribbean to a remote village in Mexico to seminary life. Yet no matter how far he runs, the shadows of the past follow close behind.

As Jordan reckons with his failures and confronts the complexities of his family legacy, he begins to see his father—and himself—through new eyes. Of Saints and Rivers is a powerful exploration of faith, doubt, resilience, and the long road to grace.

From the wild frontier days of the late 1800s to the post-war reckoning of the 1950s, Of Saints and Rivers is a sweeping literary family saga in the tradition of Kristin Hannah’s The Four Winds and William Kent Krueger’s This Tender Land.

Book details

After your summary, state your book’s genre and approximate word count.

Author bio

Your goal here is to not only talk about yourself but to connect it to your book. It should briefly mention your author platform as well as any relevant experience you have, such as previous publications or awards, career, education, or life experiences related to the topic.

Don’t worry if you don’t have publishing credits—focus on what qualifies you to write this particular story.

Closing Your Fiction Query Letter

Thank the agent or publisher for their time and consideration, and, if applicable, mention that the full manuscript is available on request.

Pro tips:

• Keep your query letter to one page. Agents and publishers often receive dozens of pitches per day.
• Personalize it. If possible, address the agent or publisher by name and why you are querying them specifically. For instance, they represent your genre, or you saw a comparable title on their website.
• Proofread carefully. Typos and grammatical errors can land your letter in the “no” pile.
• Follow submission guidelines: Always check an agent or publisher’s website for their guidelines. Some only request a query letter, while others require a summary and sample chapters. You don’t want to end up in the “no” pile on a technicality.

Final Thoughts

Your fiction query letter is your chance to give a great first impression and get your book the attention it deserves. Just follow the guidelines, put your best foot forward, and remember: you only need one “yes!”

Check out Yorkshire Publishing’s submission guidelines here.