How much time and energy do you put into your query letters? Does a perfect query make all the difference?

Although it's true about the grammar and spelling of your query, it's not just about that.  It's writing the letter in such a way to grab the editors attention.  I was at a writing conference back in April and there was an agent there from a New York agency.  She said that the query has to sell you to the agent or editor.  She said you need to convince the agent why they'd want to go on and read your manuscript.  It's all about selling yourself and your manuscript.  She also mentioned that it only takes about two lines of your manuscript to be read for an agent or editor to know if you're a good writer.

Try this...

http://www.writeronlinebooks.com/software/instantqueryletters.htm

If you're having a difficult time writing the synposis portion of the query; which I find difficult sometimes have someone else write it who has read your manuscript.  A writer friend of mine have swapped and I wrote the query for his screenplay and he is writing mine for my novel.  It's amazing how much easier it is to write someone elses.  So...that might be an option if you have someone who is a good writer who's read your work.

I agree with what the other comments have been also.  It's the sell point of the manuscript.

Querried Ten times?

Last November I sent out fifty query/cover letters with fifty-page writing samples each and preprinted SASE's and so-on and so-forth. To date I have  . . . learned exactly how NOT to spend two hundred-fifty dollars and one obsession filled weekend.

Next time, I will only send nice little one page querries with SASE's and save myself all the wasted time, paper, toner, and tyvec mailers. 

 

Michael, but still it was sort of fun, in Seattle.

Thank you for the large font.  Made it easier to read your post.