HOW TO WRITE A QUERY LETTER, OH I MEAN FLAP COPY, A LA EDITOR CHERYL KLEIN

Cheryl Klein, Senior Editor at Arthur A. Levine Books/ Scholastic, wrote a wonderful blog post on how she writes flap copy. Through detailed explanation and a step-by-step revision of the actual flap copy for Sara Lewis Holmes' (go Sara go!) newest MG, OPERATION YES, Cheryl shares her thought process and editorial skills.

Now, I know most of us won't be writing our own flap copy but many of us have written or will be writing queries, and Cheryl's advice on flap copy doubles as a post on tips for writing queries.

In her post, Cheryl writes:

All of the previous paragraph also applies to query letters, by the way, with the exception that you should know enough about the literary tastes of the specific editor/agent to whom you're appealing that you have a decent idea of what would attract him or her, and you write that accordingly.

So click on over to Cheryl's post. Not only will you receive great advice on query writing, but you'll get a preview of Holmes' forthcoming and much anticipated book, OPERATION YES. Holmes' debut MG, LETTERS FROM RAPUNZEL received rave reviews:

A moving debut novel with many poignant passages. Will keep thoughtful readers involved." -- Publishers Weekly

"Delicately layered grace and springiness. An original story." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

"Letters from Rapunzel proves that [Sara Holmes] is a hot rookie prospect" -- Morning Star Wilmington