Thanks,

I discussed this very question with OSC at bootcamp, outside of class, with my novel at the heart of the question. I showed him what I wrote as back cover copy, which is a very good summary of my book. He told me to use that in the (pre-query) query letter.

My suggestion for any novelist is to try to generate what you want to see on the back cover, and use that as the heart of your query letter.

Thank you for taking the time in your frantic schedule to read this letter. I found your name in the 2000 edition of Writer's Market, and hope you are still taking submissions. Enclosed you will find the exciting psycho-thriller, "The Secret Uranium Mines Of Kazakhstan."

I know that you usually publish Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Spectacular fiction, but I thought that since Kazakh is a language full of unusual words like "kyzyl" and "uchkaduk" that this work might find a niche in this market.

I have already completed the first two chapters ("Vodka Capitalism" and "Radioactive Camels") but will happily send you the rest as soon as they are completed.

As this is a first draft, I was hoping that you or another editor could check to make sure that the spelling and grammar is in order? I'm sure most of its fine, but sometimes MSWord misses things.

Even though I have written numerous fanfics for my Northern Exposure website, this is my first book and I want it to be the best it can be. If you have any questions, please give me a call straightaway at (555)555-5234.

If I don't hear from you in two weeks, I will
regrettably have to send my book to another publishing company -- but would really like to go with yours.

Sincerely,

Varishta Brookes

But I think you forgot the part about how much better your book is than the crap they usually publish, so you know they'll be delighted to read yours.

Varishta, that was genius!