Pitch A Winning Query For Your Romance Novel

By Evan Bailyn

The Changing Face of Romance

Forget everything you thought you knew about the romance genre. No longer are the racks filled with predictable stories of a lovelorn woman strewn across a deserted beach, torn bodice and all, waiting for her man to come rescue her from the encroaching fog. These days, romance is hip and trendy, more like an action adventure film than an archaic stereotype. The romantic heroines of today kick butt, take care of themselves, and sometimes save the guy they’ve got their eye on; it is, after all, one way to make sure he holds onto your number.

Know Who You’re Pitching

Romance as a genre is one of the most diverse and specific out there. Different lines appeal to different audiences, require different word counts, and have varying expectations of the story’s path as well as the outcome. And be forewarned, these editors are very specific about what they want and rarely stray. The good news is that no matter what type of romance you have written, there is a publisher who will welcome it. It’s a matter of doing your research and finding that publisher, carefully looking at guidelines, and amending your manuscript if necessary to suit basic requirements.

Your query letter must not only hook the editor, it must show her that you have done your homework. Know her name and spell it correctly. If it’s a line that has been in publication for some time, read some of them. Point out to your future editor what it is about your story that is suited to her line as well as how your particular manuscript has its own unique twist to separate it from the rest.

Format and Style

Just as with any query letter, the query letter that you write for your romance novel must be formatted correctly, free of grammatical and spelling errors, formal and polite while being engaging and attention grabbing.

Do not use pink paper or scent your envelopes with the perfume your heroine sprays on her lover’s pillow before leaving him in the morning. Do not choose a font that is as curvy or sleek as your heroine’s figure or make the font color the same shade of teal as her eyes. These will not impress an editor. They will only serve to make you look amateurish and most likely your query will not even be read.

Let the Clique Work For You

The world of romantic publishing, though varied and rather large, is run by a group of editors who all know each other and the needs of the different lines intimately. And they do speak with each other. If you send your query letter out to every editor in town, they will know it and it will most likely discredit not only your current query but any future letters you submit. Most editors do not appreciate multiple submissions. Respect this, even if it means that your submission process takes a little bit longer than you would like.

Be Friendly

Introduce yourself. After you have hooked the editor with your great idea and explained why this manuscript fits the publishing house, let her know why you are the only one who can write this book effectively. Any experience you have – writing or otherwise – that applies to your romance novel, mention it. It can only serve you well to note your expertise.

Thank the editor for her time. Assure her that you look forward to her response and make sure that she has all the current, correct information in order to contact you. If you have queried by mail, include an SASE (self addressed stamped envelope). Sign your name with a flourish and you have yourself a winning query for your romance novel.

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