Query Letter Examples: Three Industry-Standard Examples That Work
Sending the Right Query Letter
Query letters are often treated like a formality, but they’re one of the most important tools in a writer’s career. A strong query doesn’t just summarize your book—it tells an agent that you understand the industry, your audience, and where your work belongs.
There’s no single “perfect” query letter. Different agents respond to different styles. What does matter is clarity, professionalism, and intention. That’s why below, I’m sharing three industry-standard query letter examples, all using my latest novel, Chasing the Dragon, as a working model.
These examples show different but equally acceptable approaches to querying, all of which are commonly used by authors who receive requests.
A Note About Series
One important clarification before we dive in: if you’re querying a series, you should always be querying book one.
If an agent can’t place the first book, they won’t request subsequent books in the series. Query letters are for fresh entry points. In this case, Chasing the Dragon is book three in my Boundless Magick series, but I’m using it here strictly as an example of a tight, professional query letter, not as a recommendation to query later books first.
About The Examples Below
Each of the following letters represents a legitimate, professional approach to querying:
A traditional structure
A hook-forward structure
A personalization-first structure
No two query letters should be identical. Every letter should be tailored to the specific agent you’re querying—someone whose list, tastes, and career goals genuinely align with your project.
Personalization matters because querying isn’t about sending your book to everyone. It’s about finding the right advocate for your work.
Know Your Audience
Agents want to know that you understand who your book is for. Knowing your audience helps an agent determine where your work fits in the market and whether it belongs on their list. When you can clearly articulate the readership you’re writing for, you’re showing confidence, awareness, and professionalism.
That doesn’t mean you need to over-explain—but it does mean you should be intentional about the genre, age category, tone, and themes you’re presenting.
One Last Thing
These examples are meant to guide you, not replace your own judgment or voice. A strong query letter reflects you as much as it reflects your book. If you would like a deeper breakdown of the querying process—including research, personalization, and common mistakes to avoid—you can find more guidance in my related post HERE.
✨ A thoughtful query opens the door to the right partnership.
EXAMPLE 1: Traditional Structure
Subject: Query: Chasing the Dragon (YA Fantasy)
Dear [Agent’s Full Name],
I am seeking representation for Chasing the Dragon, my YA fantasy novel complete at 100,000 words.
Months ago, Abigail Stone uncovered the Dragon King’s plot to seize control of the cosmos and crown her as his queen. She slew him with divine magic, binding his soul to the underworld. But she did not foresee the dark and dangerous force he left behind.
Now, as Abigail grapples with all that drove the Dragon King to ruin, her quest for understanding strengthens their invisible bond, and his power seeps into the living world. His enchantments fester, casting their thrall far and wide until his return seems inevitable.
Once again, Abigail is the key to the Dragon King’s undoing. To defeat him this time, she must summon the courage to surrender the treasure he covets most—her soul.
Chasing the Dragon will appeal to readers of Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo and Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor. Given your strong interest in YA fantasy with mythic stakes, complex antagonist bonds, and emotionally driven heroines, I thought it might be a good fit for your list.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Lowvee Cole
EXAMPLE 2: Hook-Forward Structure
Subject: Query: Chasing the Dragon (YA Fantasy)
Dear [Agent’s Full Name],
The Dragon King is dead—but his hold on her is not.
I am seeking representation for Chasing the Dragon, my YA fantasy novel complete at 100,000 words.
Months ago, Abigail Stone uncovered the Dragon King’s plot to seize control of the cosmos and crown her as his queen. She slew him with divine magic, binding his soul to the underworld. But she did not foresee the dark and dangerous force he left behind.
Now, as Abigail grapples with all that drove the Dragon King to ruin, her quest for understanding strengthens their invisible bond, and his power seeps into the living world. His enchantments fester, casting their thrall far and wide until his return seems inevitable.
Once again, Abigail is the key to the Dragon King’s undoing. To defeat him this time, she must summon the courage to surrender the treasure he covets most—her soul.
Chasing the Dragon will appeal to readers of Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo and Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor. I am querying you because of your interest in YA fantasy with mythic stakes, complex antagonist bonds, and emotionally driven heroines.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Lowvee Cole
EXAMPLE 3: Personalization-First Structure
Subject: Query: Chasing the Dragon (YA Fantasy)
Dear [Agent’s Full Name],
Recently, I read an article about you in Reader’s Digest where you spoke about your love for YA fantasy involving royalty and witchcraft. After reviewing your bio and client roster, I believe my YA fantasy, Chasing the Dragon, would be a strong fit for your list. The novel is complete at 100,000 words.
Months ago, Abigail Stone uncovered the Dragon King’s plot to seize control of the cosmos and crown her as his queen. She slew him with divine magic, binding his soul to the underworld. But she did not foresee the dark and dangerous force he left behind.
Now, as Abigail grapples with all that drove the Dragon King to ruin, her quest for understanding strengthens their invisible bond, and his power seeps into the living world. His enchantments fester, casting their thrall far and wide until his return seems inevitable.
Once again, Abigail is the key to the Dragon King’s undoing. To defeat him this time, she must summon the courage to surrender the treasure he covets most—her soul.
Chasing the Dragon will appeal to readers of Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo and Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Lowvee Cole
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