Writing a perfect query letter to a literary agent is difficult, especially if you don’t know where to start. I’ve written two query letter samples for fantasy writers to help inspire you on how to get started.
I’ve also included a query letter template if you need a jumping off point to start drafting your own query. You can see how this leads into the two samples I wrote.
All of the information in the samples is completely made up.
No query letter is perfect, and every agent is after something different. I hope these will help you when drafting your own!
Query letter template
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-SENTENCE 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]
In this template, I’ve capitalised all the placeholders you need to swap out. Here’s a rundown of what you can replace the placeholders with:
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-sentence 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
Dear Georgie,
I am seeking representation for my novel, Crowns. I think my novel would be a good fit for you because you represent [BOOK TITLE], which shares the main plotline of a hero’s journey to save a kingdom with Crowns.
Crowns is an 84,000-word tale of treachery and war with series potential. Fans of [AUTHOR] or [BOOK TITLE] will particularly enjoy the dynamics shown in the novel.
When the queen is poisoned, her children – the ambitious Arthur, the erudite Guinevere, and the young Will – are caught in a battle to lead the kingdom, while outside forces wait to strike.
I have previously been published in anthologies by Fantasy Press, including a short story which inspired me to continue writing and led to Crowns.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Jack
In this sample letter, Jack makes comparisons to a book the agent already represents, as well as another author. This helps the agent know how to market the book. They also include where their writing has previously been published.
Jack could have added a little more about the plot, particularly to hook the agent more on who the hero of the story is.
Query letter sample 2
Dear Georgie,
I am seeking representation for my novel, A Battle of Vicious Blades. I saw that you are currently seeking urban fantasy adventures, and I believe that my novel would be a great fit for you.
A Battle of Vicious Blades is a 70,000-word urban fantasy novel about monsters hunters set in the streets of London.
I think you’d especially be interested in the main character’s adventure in hunting down a vampire coven in the London Underground.
Charlie is a monster hunter in the Order of Swords, who have for centuries protected the city from all manner of monsters. When Charlie is sent to investigate disappearances connected to the Tube, they’re the only hunter who can stand in the way of a frenzy of blood threatening the capital.
I’ve self-published 2 books, both of which received over 1000 sales in the first year, and I’ve also been published in Vampire Horrors Anthology with my novella, Blood in the City.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
I look forward to hearing from you.
David
David focuses the most on the plot and how it will appeal to the agent. By including how many sales their self-published books received in the first year, they’ve told the agent that they already have a strong readership and success with their previous books.
More resources for querying fantasy fiction
Other resources you might find useful for querying fantasy fiction:
- Agent query letter resources for fantasy fiction – a free downloadable Word document with the above template and samples, as well as an additional query letter sample.
- How to find a literary agent in the UK
- Agent query letter tips for aspiring authors