Tip: Put together a nice looking envelope if you ever want to get that letter past the mailroom and to an assistant. Sloppy looking handwriting and not addressing your envelope to anyone in particular are good ways to wind up in the trash before anyone will even read your query. If you really want a particular agent/exec to check it out send it via UPS certified express or FedEx, guaranteed they at least look at it.

Chris, I think email is the more common route to go today. You may recall this post about Seth Lochhead, writer of the recent movie Hanna. Here is what he did:

He sent out 400 emails to people in the business: "A lot were one-sentence emails. A girl is trained to be an assassin; would you like to read my script."

That's how he ended up finding representation and the movie getting produced.

Yea I would definately reccommend the email route over standard mail... but you would be surprised how many snail mail queries still come in

"In terms of the marketplace, you want to show off the pitch’s assets and minimize the elements that could turn off reps, producers and execs."

One little word stood out: you want to show off the PITCH'S assets. Not the story's assets. Not even the script's assets. It's a clue into this guy's mindset - the pitch is its own thing, its own art form, not just a synopsis or tease for the story. As its own animal, the pitch will have its own strengths and weaknesses. I think viewing the pitch as a separate, stand-alone work and not just a distillation of the story or script can only make a pitch that much better.

Annika,

Great comment. Focusing on making the pitch its own art form might even have a circular benefit by helping the writer focus the story in the original screenplay.

Heck, maybe you could start with a great pitch first and then write the script based off that.

Are there working writers out there that aren't good at pitches - who rely on their agents/managers for getting the script read?

@Gabe: I know several writers who will flat out tell you they are not good in a room, especially pitching. A certain amount of that is expected with writers, so we do have latitude in some respects. But even if you're a nervous type, that shouldn't prevent you from crafting a treatment version of your pitch. In other words, whether you're good at pitching or not, you should be able to nail the story in short-form.

Once a writer has reached a certain level of renown, meetings for open writing assignments can be more like conversations than pitches where as opposed to pitching a story, you take more of a meta approach and talk about the story. I suspect writers who are not good at pitching would be more comfortable with this type of approach.

At the end of the day, however, it's what you write on the page that counts. So you could be the world's worst pitcher and still get tons of work if you write great pages.

I have a zillion questions about query letters but I will keep it at two. (for now)

And they are not related.

#1 -- I've read many posts about query "blast" services and from what I've gathered they can be a waste of money.

With that said... has anyone ever tinkered with one of these services and knows how they are presented to managers... agents... readers and the like so I will know how NOT to send a query?

The last thing I want is to have my logline tossed simply because the subject line (for starters)seemed "mass-produced" and "spam-ish."

And #2 -- Do GITS readers have more success with "Query" in the subject line or without. I've received read requests both ways but hey... whatever increases my chances... I'm flexible.

And one last thing...

If you do receive a read request... make damn sure you have something else ready if they pass. PLEASE!

A few months back I received a read request from Benderspink.

I was on cloud nine!

The next day I received an e-mail in response to my script...

"It's solid writing but for me to take anything on, I really need to be super passionate about it."

Hey... it's a pass and I was prepared for that. I take the positive that he liked my writing but wasn't blown over by the story... it happens.

But THIS is where I dropped the ball...

He continued...

"I'm totally down to read anything else you write..."

The door was wide open! The crack in the wall was widening! He wants to read more of my stories!

And what can I offer...

NOTHING!

If you query a lot you realize that opportunities don't arise like that very often...

So be prepared!

Have that next story ready to go. Set goals, create deadlines for yourself and dammit WRITE WRITE WRITE!

And perfect that query!

Are there any examples of successful query letters online (or in a book)?

It would help to see what they actually look like.

@Nitro1976

I'm no pro but my suggestion would be to stay away from books and learn from your writing peers... and this blog.

Once again... I'm no pro... but this seems to work (at times) for me.

---------------------------------

Date

Nitro1976
Nitro Management

Good morning Nitro1976,

A man urinates on his shoe then realizes his entire life is all wet.

May I send a freshly soiled copy of "Soggy" for your consideration?

Sincerely,

Courtney

---------------------------------

Then get the hell out of there!!!

Agencies, management companies and the like get pummeled DAILY with queries... so do them a favor and keep it short and get to the point.

And of course it goes without saying... give them something to want.

If you send out one-hundred queries and get no response... it could possibly be your logline.

Tweak it and you may see a change.

You can also throw it out to the GITS Club and get honest feedback on your logline... and your story. Trust me... it helps.

But keep sending them out... it's a numbers game.

Most folks will never respond.

Some folks will take the time to say "not for us."

And of course by that time you're ready to drive your head into your desk but let me tell you something my writing friend...

If you keep at it... and give them something to want...

One day you will see the most four beautiful letters... all lined up in a row...

S-e-n-d.

Then... the "fun" begins!