Query letters: short and sweet, or detailed?

[Christa M. Miller]

I've seen both schools of thought. One says provide the briefest description of the novel. The other says describe as much as possible in that one page. Your opinions? Does it depend on the novel or any other factors?

[Christa M. Miller]

Hmm. I have to think about that. On my first read, that dilemma seems like it hangs out there in the ether. I was going for conflict leading to dilemma. Maybe it needs another rewrite.

I've looked into Backspace, but I need fewer online communities in my life, not more! I have such limited time to work that I have to watch what I'm doing with it. On the other hand, if I manage to hire help with the kids this fall, maybe I can manage it!

[Anne Frasier]

i agree with harry. i don't know much about query letters, but i would think the first line should have a strong hook with a sentence that could actually stand on its own as a short description of the whole story.

[Christa M. Miller]

Thanks again, Doug. I can't say "Sheriff" because 1) in NH, where the story is set, the sheriff's departments have no power of patrol, etc. - they only serve bench warrants and provide court security. And 2) it is actually set in a town large enough to have its own PD (as opposed to where I live now, which is too rural for a PD but too large not to have a "contract deputy"). I like your point about "New England," though.

As for school resource officers, most schools signed them on after Columbine, and still have them even despite federal budget cutbacks to community policing programs - which paid for initial salaries. Just a minor detail, though.