Writing a query letter is difficult for everyone, whether they nail it from the beginning or it takes many attempts to get it right. I’ve written some query letter samples to help you draft your own query letter for your LGBTQ+ novel.
Below you’ll find a query letter template designed with LGBTQ+ fiction in mind. You can use this template as written, with your own information replacing the placeholders, or you can take it just as inspiration on wording your letter.
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.
I think you’d especially be interested in [REASONS AND TROPES].
[TITLE] is a [WORD COUNT]-word queer novel about [ONE LINE SUMMING UP THE STORY].
The main characters are [CHARACTER NAME], a [BRIEF DESCRIPTION], and [CHARACTER NAME], a [BRIEF DESCRIPTION]. The novel takes them through [BRIEF PLOT DESCRIPTION].
My experience as a [ANECDOTE] inspired me to tell this story. I want readers to know that [SOMETHING POSITIVE YOUR STORY CONTAINS] is out there to read, and I want to give more representation to [IDENTITIES IN YOUR 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.
Reasons and tropes. Personalise why your novel suits this agent. Have they mentioned they’re looking for particular settings, characters, tropes, or storylines?
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.
Character names and descriptions. In romance novels, the characters are what will really get your readers flipping through the story. Make sure to showcase them in the best way here.
Brief plot description. Give a little more information about the journey your novel goes on. What drives the story, where is it going?
Anecdote. Tell them why you’re the best writer for this story. Do you share an experience with one of the main characters? Are you in the LGBTQ+ community?
Something positive your story contains. Most readers are looking for stories of queer joy, and this can be a major marketing tactic the agent uses.
Identities in your story. The LGBTQ+ community comprises many identities. Highlighting which identities you’ve written about can help market it, and for trans and non-binary characters this can also filter out any agents who don’t have the confidence needed to represent your story.
Next, let’s see what this template could help you write.
Query letter sample 1
Dear Taylor,
I am seeking representation for my novel, White Roses. I saw that you are currently seeking LGBTQ+ romance novels, and I believe that my novel would be a great fit for you.
White Roses is a 67,000-word LGBTQ+ romance novel about queer love defying outside forces.
I think you’d especially be interested in the novel’s inclusion of found family, slow burn, and sapphic romance.
Erica is a florist struggling to find community in her town. When she hires Jay, the local troublemaker, she has no idea that her life is about to change.
My experience as a queer woman inspired me to tell this story. I want readers to know that love and support is out there to read, and I want to give more representation to lesbian women.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Paula
In this sample, Paula focuses on the main tropes and characters of the novel, and the purpose it represents for them. The plot description is vague but draws the agent in to read the synopsis to find out how Erica’s life changes.
Query letter sample 2
Dear Taylor,
I am seeking representation for my novel, Three Lovers. I saw that you’re currently seeking more books with queer protagonists and I believe that my novel would be a great fit for you.
Three Lovers is a 53,000-word queer fiction novel about the many kinds of love one can experience, and how important communication is.
I think you’d especially be interested in how my novel handles polyamory, as you mentioned on your website you’re looking for bold romance plots and happy endings.
The main characters are Heidi, a woman who falls in love more than her heart can handle; Ari, a trans woman dealing with a vicious divorce; and Isabel, a woman chasing her dreams. The novel takes them through the trials of falling in love with more than one person at a time.
I was inspired to write this story after talking to friends while exploring my identity. My beta readers have given me feedback saying that the way I’ve handled the relationships in Three Lovers feels realistic, uplifting, and unique.
Thank you for your consideration.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Quinn
In this sample, Quinn focuses more on how exactly their manuscript appeals to the literary agent. By including keywords from the feedback they received from beta readers, Quinn demonstrates an interest in their novel and how it can be marketed.
More resources for querying LGBTQ+ fiction
Other resources you might find useful for querying LGBTQ+ fiction:
- Agent query letter resources for fantasy fiction – my 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