Before You Hit Send: Your Query Letter Checklist (Don’t Skip This!)

Your manuscript is polished. Your query letter is written. Your finger hovers over the “Send” button.

Wait.

Before you hit send on that query, there’s a checklist you need to run through—one that could make the difference between a full manuscript request and an instant rejection.

During our #YourQueries Live event with literary agent Noelle Falcis Math from Transatlantic Literary Agency, we learned exactly what agents check for when they open a query. And more importantly, what makes them immediately close it.

“I think most of the time we’re just reading for comprehension, and do we like the vibe?” explained Jessica Sinsheimer, literary agent at Context Literary Agency.

That means your query needs to be crystal clear, professionally presented, and easy to process quickly.

This checklist—based directly on agent feedback from #YourQueries Live—covers everything you need to verify before sending your query into the world.

Why This Checklist Matters

Most writers spend months (or years) writing and revising their manuscript. They spend weeks crafting the perfect query letter.

Then they rush the final check.

And that’s where preventable mistakes happen.

“The queries that I almost 100% ignore,” Noelle explained, “either ignored my submission guidelines, or it’s very clear that this is sort of like a mass query with no personalization, research, or care for what that agent represents.”

Agents can tell.

They can tell when you’ve carefully researched them. And they can tell when you’ve blast-queried 200 agents (some not even in your genre!) with a generic letter.

This checklist helps you avoid those instant-rejection triggers.

The Complete Query Letter Checklist

Run through every single item before you hit send. Yes, every single one.

✓ Opening & Personalization

□ Is my opening personalized without being excessive?

Your opening should reference something specific about the agent:

• A recent client they signed
• A book they represented that you loved
• Their #MSWL (Manuscript Wish List®) post (learn more about ManuscriptWishList.com here)
• A panel you heard them on
• An interview where they mentioned liking someting similar to your work, like a TV show, book, movie, article, or similar

What this looks like:

✅ Good: “After reading about your representation of [Author Name], I thought we might be a fit for my spec YA.”

❌ Too much: “I’ve been following your career for years and read every interview you’ve ever given. Your passion for diverse voices in YA, which you mentioned in the Publishers Weekly interview from 2008, really resonates with me because…”

❌ Too little: “Dear Agent”

One sentence is enough. Then move on.

✓ Essential Book Information

□ Have I included title, word count, and genre?

This is non-negotiable information agents need in your query. While there’s some debate about whether you should put it at the top or bottom of your query (we’re team “If it’s strong, put it at the top; if it’s not, put it at the bottom”), you need to work these in somewhere.

Your query must include:

• **Title** (italicized or all caps–some debate here too)
• **Word count** (actual count, not page count)
• **Genre** (specific: not just “fiction” but “contemporary YA” or “literary fiction”)

Example: “I’m seeking representation for TITLE, a 487-word picture book for ages 3-5.”

Or: “My 48K contemporary MG novel, Title, may interest you.”

Pro tip: Don’t include page count. Noelle specifically noted: “If you tell us the word count, we don’t really need to know the page count, particularly because the page count could change when the manuscript shifts into book form.”

For more on getting your word count right for your genre, check out our guide to word count by genre.

✓ Comparison Titles

□ Are my comp titles current (published within last 3-5 years)?

Comp titles help agents understand your book’s market position. But they need to be recent.

What works:

✅ “It combines the mistake-prone protagonist of Title A  (2022) with the questions of identity in Title B (2021).”

What doesn’t:

❌ Comps from 10+ years ago

❌ Mega-bestsellers that dominated the market (Harry Potter, Twilight, etc.)

❌ Comps from completely different genres unless there’s a very specific reason

□ Have I included publication years for my comps?

Always include the year your comp was published. This shows you’re aware of current market trends and you’ve done your research.

Exception: If you’re using a comp that breaks the 3-5 year rule because it’s particularly relevant, don’t draw attention to how old it is by including the year. But this should be rare.

□ Do I have 2-3 comp titles (not more)?

Two comps are usually enough. Three is acceptable. Four or more clutters your query.

✓ Synopsis Quality

□ Is my synopsis one paragraph (two maximum)?

This is one of the most common query mistakes.

“Your synopsis really should be about a paragraph,” Noelle emphasized. “And then if you really need 2, perhaps 2, but I would sit more towards one.”

Even complex fantasy and romantasy books—which get more leeway for worldbuilding—should aim for two paragraphs maximum.

During #YourQueries Live, queries with three or more synopsis paragraphs consistently received feedback to condense.

Please note that your standalone synopsis, of course, can be longer than the synopsis part of your query. Estimates there range from 1-6 pages. We know. We’re sorry. We wish we could get publishing to agree with itself, too.

□ Have I clearly stated the stakes at the end of my synopsis?

This is crucial. Your synopsis should end with crystal-clear stakes that follow this formula:

[Character] must decide if [choice/action] is worth [consequence/risk]

For a complete breakdown of how to write compelling stakes, read our guide on query letter stakes formula.

□ Have I avoided withholding key information?

Writers often think they need to be mysterious to hook the agent. But Noelle repeatedly emphasized the opposite.

“Sometimes we want to withhold information to keep the reader’s attention, or in this case, the agent’s attention, but I actually think that I would need to know what the writer means by this.”

Be clear about:

• What your protagonist wants
• What’s standing in their way
• What they risk if they fail

Don’t make agents guess. They likely won’t—they’ll just move to the next query.

□ Is my ‘new angle’ or unique element clear?

If you’re claiming a “new angle” or “fresh take,” you need to actually explain what that angle is.

One memoir query stated “I have a new angle on a challenging subject.”

Noelle’s response: “As I read through the query, I’m not sure I really grasped what the new angle was.”

Don’t tell us it’s unique—show us how.

✓ Submission Guidelines

□ Have I followed this agent’s specific submission guidelines?

This cannot be emphasized enough. You need to present yourself right away as a professional, someone who’d be great to work with. Disregarding the rules starts you off on the wrong foot.

Every agent has their own requirements:

• Some want just a query letter
• Some want the first 5-10 pages
• Some want the first 3 chapters
• Some want a synopsis
• Some use QueryManager
• Some prefer email

“It’s always great when somebody’s listening to instructions!” Noelle said. “May not be the case for y’all, but there are plenty of people in my inbox that do not pay attention to my instructions for how to submit to me.”

Hint: This means following the rules already gives you a head start.

Where to find submission guidelines:

• Agent’s website (check the “submissions” or “how to query” page)
• Agent’s Publishers Marketplace page
• Agency website
• #MSWL website
• QueryTracker or other databases

□ Have I addressed the query to the correct agent?

Check, double-check, and triple-check:

• Correct agent name (spelling matters!)
• Correct agency name
• Correct email address
• No copy-paste errors from your last query

Nothing says “mass query” faster than calling an agent by the wrong name.

That said, we *have* heard of writers coming back from this–agent Alyssa Jennette (Stonesong Literary) told us once in an interview that she signed just such a client. If you already sent, and the rest of your query is great, don’t worry too much.

✓ Clarity & Professionalism

□ Have I removed all unnecessary information?

Cut anything that doesn’t serve your query:

• Generic statements like “I am seeking thoughtful representation”
• Explanations of why you wrote the book (unless directly relevant)
• Multiple paragraphs about your inspiration (keep to one sentence)
• Information about your writing process
• Page count (if you’ve included word count)
• Promises about marketing or platform (unless specifically requested)

During #YourQueries Live, Noelle consistently advised: “I would probably go back into this space and make it more specific” whenever queries included vague, unnecessary language.

□ Is everything crystal clear, with no confusing sections?

Jessica Sinsheimer shared her decision-making process: “As soon as the word ‘what’ goes into my head, that’s usually when I switch to the next thing. So ‘what’ usually means profound confusion.”

Read your query aloud. Better yet, have someone who hasn’t read your book read it. Can they, in 60 seconds, understand:

• What your book is about?
• Who your protagonist is?
• What they want?
• What’s stopping them?
• What happens if they fail?

If any of these are unclear, revise. Plus, quizzing your friends is fun. Offer a sweet treat if they get an A for comprehension. And take some, too, because you’ve clearly been working hard.

✓ Genre-Specific Checks

Depending on your genre, you may have additional items to verify:

For Picture Books:

□ Is my age range specific? (Not “ages 1-6” but “ages 4-8”)

□ Have I included word count? Is it reasonable?

□ Have I mentioned if I’m also the illustrator?

For Young Adult:

□ Have I indicated my protagonist’s age or grade level?

□ Is my voice appropriate for the age group? (Please don’t be that adult who says you know what the “hip” teens are saying these days.)

For Memoir/Nonfiction:

□ Have I stated my unique angle or platform?

□ Have I mentioned if I have a book proposal available?

□ Have I included relevant credentials or expertise?

For Fantasy/Science Fiction:

□ Have I kept worldbuilding explanation to 1-2 sentences?

□ Is my synopsis focused on plot, not just world description?

Common Mistakes This Checklist Prevents

Mistake #1: Synopsis That’s Too Long

During #YourQueries Live, this came up repeatedly. Even interesting projects got feedback to condense.

Noelle reviewing a romantasy query: “I still think that this synopsis is running quite long, and I think it’s running quite long because it’s taking a lot of space to give us introductory information.”

The fix: Focus on the actual plot. Cut setup and backstory to 1-2 sentences maximum.

Mistake #2: Unclear Stakes

Queries without clear stakes feel flat, even when the writing is good.

“Putting the stakes in a way that’s very, very clear is really, really helpful for the agents to sort of latch onto,” Noelle explained. “We need to know what the tension of a project is.”

The fix: End your synopsis with a “must decide” sentence that spells out exactly what your protagonist risks.

Mistake #3: Wrong Word Count for Genre

One literary fiction debut came in at 110K words.

Noelle’s immediate reaction: “If this was literary fiction and it was a debut novel, I probably would want to see this sitting closer, anywhere from that 80 to 95K range.”

The fix: Research appropriate word counts for your genre before querying. See our word count guide for specific ranges.

Mistake #4: Too Many Comp Titles

More is not better with comps.

The fix: Two solid, recent comps (past 3-5 years), of medium size (the agent’s probably heard of them; they are not, however, runaway bestsellers) are enough. Three is acceptable. More than that clutters your query.

Mistake #5: Generic Opening

“It’s very clear that this is sort of like a mass query with no personalization, research, or care for what that agent represents,” Noelle said. “And that’s fine, but if it’s like, ‘oh, here is a baseball project in the 1950s’ and it’s so outside the realm of what I would desire to read, it’s just like, okay, this person just found my name.”

The fix: Research each agent. One specific, relevant sentence shows you’ve done your homework.

The Pre-Send Ritual

Here’s a final ritual before you hit send:

1. Read your query aloud – Awkward phrasing becomes obvious

2. Check agent name spelling – Seriously, triple-check

3. Verify you’re following their guidelines – Every single requirement

4. Run spell check – Obvious, but easy to forget

5. Check all links work (if including a website)

6. Verify attachment (if required) – Right file? Right format?

7. Take a deep breath, and maybe eat something sweet – You’ve got this

What About Grammar and Polish?

You might be wondering: how perfect does my query need to be?

Jessica’s answer: “I don’t require perfection, I require proof of effort, knowledge, and research.”

A few misplaced commas in your manuscript? That’s fine. Agents read quickly and won’t notice every punctuation mark.

But consistent errors or lack of basic grammar knowledge? That’s a red flag.

“If you are editing as well as an A-minus English major, that’s probably good enough,” Jessica advised.

The key is showing that you care about professional presentation.

For more on grammar expectations and polish, see our guide on when to query agents which includes timing your submission when you’re truly ready.

After You’ve Checked Everything

You’ve gone through the entire checklist. Everything looks good. Now what?

Send your query.

Don’t second-guess yourself into paralysis. At some point, you need to trust your work and send it out.

“Clarity and brevity are your best friends,” Noelle reminded writers. “Make sure it’s clear and do that in as brief or as tight of a space as you can.”

If you’ve hit all the items on this checklist, your query is ready.

When to Break the Rules

There’s one caveat to this checklist: sometimes exceptional writing breaks the rules and succeeds anyway.

“There’s always room for awesome,” Jessica noted. “If we see someone who has that really extraordinary voice, often we will ask what else they are working on.”

But here’s the thing: you need to know the rules before you can break them effectively.

And even extraordinary writers benefit from professional presentation.

Your Query Journey

Getting your query right is hard work. It requires:

• Understanding your book’s market position ([word count](#), genre conventions, comp titles)
• Mastering query structure (clear [stakes](#), concise synopsis, professional bio)
• Researching agents (finding the right fit, [timing your submissions](#))
• Professional presentation (following guidelines, catching errors)

But it’s worth the effort.

“Talent is rare,” Jessica reminded writers during #YourQueries Live. “If you have it, agents will notice.”

This checklist helps ensure that when agents open your query, they’re noticing your talent—not your typos, confused synopsis, or missing word count.

The Bottom Line

Before you hit send on your next query:

1. Print this checklist (or bookmark this page)

2. Go through every single item

3. Fix anything that’s not quite right

4. Then—and only then—hit send

Your manuscript deserves a query that showcases it professionally. This checklist ensures you’re putting your best foot forward.

Now go forth and query with confidence. You’ve got this.

What’s the item on this checklist that trips you up most often? Let us know!