Phase one is complete. You have a list of possibilities. While your inclination may email as many as you can as fast as you can, the more the merrier...pump the brakes!

This is the most crucial element in finding a place for your work. It's your stepping stone to getting an agent or editor to ask for your manuscript. It amuses me to consider where I started out versus where I am now. I still have the very first query I ever wrote and I only have one word for it--YIKES! By comparison, writing an effective and well-crafted pitch may actually be trickier than all the hard work you poured into your book. It truly is an art form in its own right. You want (and need) to stand out from the crowd and you only have one precious page to do it in! Yes, you read that correctly. Just one. (Thankfully you get to single-space this gem at least!)

So how is this accomplished?

First off, your query letters should all be comprised of some basic elements.

1) Your contact information

2) The company's contact information

3) Proper salutation

4) Hook

5) What the book is about

6) Succinct conclusion

You may be thinking, this looks very blah. How does this help me stand out? And you're right. It does. And by itself it won't. But we'll get to that as we break things down further. Items 1 and 2 are self-explanatory, but still crucial. 1) You want the agent to be able to contact you back if they're interested and 2) unbelievable as it may seem, I've read horror stories about agents being sent queries that were beautifully composed...but had some other agency's information in the contact section. OUCH! That will not earn you any brownie points! So be mindful, in this regard.

Item 3 may seem kind of "duh" too but I'll elaborate. This is a professional piece of correspondence, not a letter to grandma. As such, you want to present yourself in a professional manner. Greeting a stranger on a first-name basis can seem too informal and be off-putting. Completely counteracts the whole purpose you're trying to accomplish with this letter. If you start off with something like "Hey Sally," Sally Agent might just decide not to read any further. Always greet with an appropriate prefix (Mr., Mrs., Ms.) and their last name. (Dear Ms. Agent,) The only case where a first name should be used is when it's a universal name (Robin for example) and even then, only after your research has turned up no further identifying information. A quick hop to an agency's website will do wonders for you. Additionally, sometimes an agent who made it to your roster of prospects may have left the company. If you encounter this stumbling block, file the name separately and research the agents still with the company to see if any are still worth contacting.

Number 4. Just like fishing, what you catch largely depends on the hook. Your opening sentence should be crafted with one goal in mind: Catch the agent's attention. You don't want them to stop reading here, right? Your hook should be intriguing and engaging enough to make them take notice and keep going. It can be a statement about the book as a whole or the main character. Sometimes an interesting bit of dialogue could serve. Conversely, it could involve how you found that particular agent and why you chose him or her. Perhaps you found something relatable to yourself in a particular agent and choose to point that out. This is another area where an agency's website can prove extremely helpful. Often you'll find short blurbs about the agents and sometimes even links to other places you might learn even more about them. Doing this bit of homework could pay off in a big way if utilized well.

And we come around to numero cinco. After the hook, you want to give as much information in the short space you have, crafted in a way that makes the agent decide they want to know more. This should amount to a paragraph or two expanding on what you've written. Included in this information should be the title, appropriate category of your work and the approximate word count--all key information the agent will need. You may choose to give a biographical snippet on any experience you have related to your work, previous publishing credits or awards. Anything that boosts your credibility and if you don't have any of the above, that's okay too. Just don't say so. Play to your strengths and research, research research! If you know another title that the agency represented which you think is similar to your work--mention it! If you're approaching publishers directly and your query is to an editor, do a little digging to see if you can find what line or imprint your book might be a perfect fit for. Your extra effort showcases your level of commitment and will give you  an edge over those who don't bother.

Last, but of course not least, you need to close your letter in an appropriate and concise way. This is the place to state what other materials may be included with your letter (but only if the agent or editor has requested additional materials from the start. Reading submission guidelines and following them to the letter is a must!) This is also a great place to indicate whether this is a stand-alone project or if you have a sequel or even a series in mind. You may also choose to tell the agent whether your query is part of a multiple submission or if  it's exclusive. Thank the agent for taking the time to read your submission, end with a fitting valediction and sign your name.

Now that you know what to DO, I have just a few closing remarks on DON'TS. No bright paper, weird fonts, bold text or caps please. You  may think this will make your submission stand out, and you may be right....but it won't be in the way you want. Also, don't make irrational promises like, "This novel will make you rich!" and definitely don't try and blackmail an agent into requesting materials by withholding pertinent information and telling them they can find out more, if they request your manuscript. That kind of query will go straight to the rubbish bin!

Feeling confident that your query is up to snuff? Then it's time.