Not knowing where to start with a query letter can make it even harder to start querying; already a big and daunting process! Here, I’ve written an example query letter and two query letter samples for horror writers to inspire you.
Every query letter is unique, and agents are always looking for something different. I hope these query letters help you draft your own and start reaching out to literary agents.
Query letter template for horror novels
Replace all words in square brackets [] with your own information.
Dear [NAME],
I am seeking representation for my novel, [TITLE]. I saw that you are currently seeking [GENRE/TROPE], and I believe that my novel would be a great fit for you.
[TITLE] is a [WORD COUNT]-word fantasy novel about [ONE LINE SUMMING UP THE STORY].
I think you’d especially be interested in [REASONS AND TROPES].
[1- OR 2-PARAGRAPH PLOT DESCRIPTION].
I have previously been published in [MAGAZINE OR ANTHOLOGY]. [ANECDOTE RELEVANT TO STORY].
Thank you for your time and consideration.
I look forward to hearing from you.
[YOUR NAME]
How to fill in the placeholders:
Name. The literary agent’s name shown on their website.
Title. The working title of your novel.
Genre/trope. A keyword you’ve found on the agent’s website, social media, or in an interview.
Word count. Include the word count of your novel here, rounded to the nearest thousand.
One line summing up the story. Give an interesting one-line description for your novel. This should be as intriguing and interesting as possible. Make the agent want to read more about it.
Reasons and tropes. Personalise why your novel suits this agent. Have they mentioned they’re looking for particular settings, characters, tropes, or storylines?
1- or 2-paragraph plot description. Hook the agent in by introducing what your story is about. If you can, personalise this to focus on what the agent is looking for. You don’t need to spoil the ending here, you just want the literary agent to be interested in reading your synopsis.
Magazine or anthology. If you’ve been published anywhere before, you’ll want to include this, so include any magazine, anthology, or small press you’ve been published by.
Anecdote. An anecdote can help show how you’re the best writer for the story. Perhaps your novel setting is something you’ve studied academically, or you have a hobby relevant to the character or plot.
Query letter sample 1
In this first query letter sample for a horror novel, “Kon” has pinpointed exactly which tropes the agent has expressed interest in and made this clear at the top of their query letter. By leading with this, the author shows that they’ve put energy and research into querying the agent.
Dear Stephen,
I am seeking representation for my novel, The Darkness Consumes Us, a 75,000-word eldritch horror novel. You recently expressed an interest in Lovecraftian horror and I think you might be a perfect match for this book.
Fans of [AUTHOR], especially their [SERIES TITLE] series, will enjoy the gloomy tone and gory scenes littered through The Darkness Consumes Us. I was also inspired by [AUTHOR] and [AUTHOR], especially the way both authors incorporate liminal spaces into their stories.
When darkness descends on a small town in Dorset, the inhabitants are cut off from the rest of the world. No Internet, no phone calls, no texts. Elias Smith, the local bookshop owner, thinks he has the answer, but nobody believes the tales of a being named the Shroud.
As death begins to rake in the people of the town, Elias must fight through conspiracy theories and ordinary crime to find a way to save everyone before the darkness consumes them all. At his side are his on-and-off-again boyfriend, Freddie, and Lex, another fan of the occult.
My short stories have appeared in magazines such as Love, Craft and The Writer’s Way, and I was recently published in an anthology published by Eldritch And Me.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
I look forward to hearing from you,
Kon
Query letter sample 2
In this second query letter, “Claude” goes into a lot of detail about the plot of their book, but also draws attention to why they’re the perfect author for this story. The letter is on the longer side, and some details would be better off in the synopsis, but each Part is used as an individual hook.
Dear Stephen,
I think you would be the perfect fit for my 82,000-word horror novel, Earth Mother. Your recent call for more eco-horror pitches inspired me to resume querying.
Earth Mother is a tale of what could happen if humanity turned its back on the earth and ransacked it for its last remaining resources. Before the apocalypse comes, first are the warning signs, and this is where it begins.
In Part One, Dr Callaway warns of a catastrophic supervolcano eruption that will change the world forever. Met with resistance from every politician she meets with, she can only look in horror as the supervolcano erupts before any evacuation can be executed.
In Part Two, Ezra is a climate activist whose actions become more and more desperate as the government pushes for greed over harmony. When a wildfire gets out of control nearby, they put themself on the front lines to rescue people in the area.
In Part Three, Ollie confronts the multinational company drilling into a national park, using every tool at his disposal to stop it. But when he finally succeeds, the company has no intention of letting him get away with it – resulting in the death of his partner. As the end of the world approaches, Ollie must decide between saving himself and getting revenge.
I think readers of [BOOK TITLE] and [BOOK SERIES] will love the message of climate activism and anti-capitalism, and fans of [AUTHOR] will appreciate the hopelessness of each story.
I’m a member of my local eco-consumerism action group. Last year, I took a Creative Writing course with [ORGANISATION], which is where I began writing Earth Mother. I’m also actively submitting eco-horror short stories to magazines and anthology set within the same world.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Claude
More resources for querying horror fiction
Here are some other resources that you might find useful for querying a horror novel:
- How to write a query letter to a literary agent
- Examples of successful query letters (horror filter)
- Manuscript WishList (horror filter)