The Query Cupcake with Kayla Cichello

Kayla Cichello is an agent with Upstart Crow Literary, she's open to picture books through YA and illustrators. Some of her clients include Ana Otaru, author of the upcoming picture book Masquerade for Grandpa (Atheneum/S&S, 2023), as well as author-illustrator Kirbi Fagan, illustrator of Summer of the Tree Army (Sleeping Bear, 2021).

Kayla wants your query to an agent to be as irresistible and delicious as a cupcake is to a toddler. Like a well-made cupcake, a query has a couple of important parts: Intro; Summary; and a Bio.

A quality query starts with the email subject line: For Kayla, please put the title of your story in the subject line, not just "children's book" and include the genre for extra appeal.

The Intro should contain the manuscript's basic info like genre and word count, as well as why you are querying that particular agent. Intros should also include a one or two-sentence pitch summarizing your manuscript (see Eddie Gamarra's session for a whole session on how to craft a pithy pitch), and HOOKS.

Kayla uses Dragons Love Tacos as an example showing what on the surface seems to be just a funny silly book still has deeper themes, something editors are looking for in all picture book manuscripts.

Kayla also covers pitches, bios, and gives examples of excellent summaries for both picture book and MG/YA queries in addition to this handy breakdown of what to include in your summary: 

DAN LAZAR: "How to Craft a Winning Query Letter: Secrets to Keep You Out of the Reject Pile"

DAN LAZAR: "How to Craft a Winning Query Letter: Secrets to Keep You Out of the Reject Pile"

Highlights from Dan Lazar, Writers House agent, panel on query letters:

-- Website recommendation: http://www.publishersmarketplace.com (his bio is listed here: http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/members/DanielLazar/)

-- Want some of Dan's secrets to writing a query letter that ROCKS? Here are a couple tidbits:

1. "If you can write the Next Great American Novel, then you can write a great query letter. Period." Dan brought two real query letters to demonstrate what worked for him, and one "fake" letter to show what doesn't work. One letter showed the writer's voice, which intrigued Dan who wanted to see the writer's voice in the actual manuscript. So if your voice comes through in a query letter, that can help get you out of the "reject" pile!

2. If you have never been published and do not have any publishing credits, don't worry. No need to apologize or even bring that up. You don't need logos or colored paper to impress. And it doesn't hurt to open with "a specific familiar reference. "I'm a human being and I have feelings, so you should appeal to my vanity," he joked.

3. Do NOT start with "To whom It may concern"!

4. MAIN THEME: BE SPECIFIC. Dan cannot stress this enough. He says you should be as specific as possible in your query letter, from stating why you are interested in pursuing Dan as your agent, specific details about your bio, your manuscript etc.

5. Try to avoid "What if?" when describing your book's story in a query letter. It's a "good tool" he says for sparking plot ideas and brainstorming, but not for a query letter. He recommends being MORE SPECIFIC and using more original language instead of starting off with "What if..." when describing/introducing the plot of your book in the query letter.

6. For email queries: He says find out first if agents accept these - he does, FYI. Technical note: Do not include any HTML coding because that can result in inconsistent formatting and invite spammers.

And that's just the tip of the iceberg! Dan offered dozens of tips and secrets on how to write an effective query letter. It was a packed lecture hall and it was clear everyone appreciated Dan's helpful advice. Again, another reason to join SCBWI and attend these conferences for fantastic advice from veteran industry experts!

Posted by Paula Yoo