Let's review

The purpose of a query letter is:

1. To show me you're "my kinda writer"
2. To show you've met me
3. To persuade me to read your pages

If you answered 1. you might have sent the following:

I like you. You're ballsy.

If you answered 2, you might have sent this:

I met you at a writing conference and you really need new glasses.

3. If you answered 3 you probably didn't say either 1 or 2.


First, being persuasive doesn't involve fashion advice, even if you really think I need it. Not now, not ever.

Second, I'm not sure if this is obvious to a man, but if it's not, take note: women aren't automatically flattered to be called "ballsy." For starters, and this may come as shock to you, I do not have balls. Comparing me to a man isn't a compliment. Not now, not ever. There are lots of ways to say the same thing: "I like your style" "I like your brash confidence" "Jack Reacher has met his match in you, babe"...LOTS.

But "ballsy?" Nope. That's a non-starter.

And what it tells me is that you don't have an ear for nuance. And that just makes me less interested in reading your writing.

A query letter is a persuasive pitch to read your work. Tell me about your work. Leave the fashion advice (or any comments of a personal nature) OUT of the letter.

The competition is tough. Don't shoot yourself in the foot. Or the glasses. Or...well, you get the idea.