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Sample of a Query Letter

Elizabeth Caldwell
25 xxxxx Road
City, State 11111
(555) 555-5555
ecauldwell@myfictionaldomain.com

     August 19, 2002


Ms.YYYYY, Editorial Manager
Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing
P.O. Box zzzzzzz
City, State 11111


Dear Ms. YYYY:

What happens if an American Tory in 1776 travels to the future, 2276, steals a key political document, goes back in time to 1774 and hands it over to England's commander in charge of the American colonies? An alternate world, or does the world remain the same?

"Sacred Honor" is an historical science fiction novel with a word count of 72,660.

My previous credits include one non-fiction book, "Teenagers! A Bewildered Parent's Guide," published in 1996, which sold three to five thousand copies. Unfortunately, book sales quickly decreased when Silvercat Publications' book distributor, Atrium, declared bankruptcy and failed to honor its contracts.

I have also donated four science fiction short stories: "Joys of Spring"; "Mask, A Modern Fairy Tale"; "Lottery"; and "Lady in the Lamp" for charity at Sime~Gen, Inc., owned by Jacqueline Lichtenberg and Jean Lorrah.

My pen name is Lillian Caldwell. The first three chapters, query letter, synopsis/outline are disposable copy. I hope that you find "Sacred Honor" intriguing enough to consider publishing by your firm. I look forward to hearing from you.


Cordially,



Elizabeth Caldwell