Back to the Q Letters

I wrote a follow-up query letter to the agent I met with at the Writers' Workshop I attended in June. I re-sent the synopsis and the first two chapters of the manuscript which she had originally requested. It is now July and I've still not heard back from her. I know agents are very busy people but it would be helpful --and only courteous--if she would simply respond one way or the other. I'm assuming at this point that she is a Pass. I've written several versions of my query letter to a multitude of agents without receiving any requests for sample chapters. Since I don't want to self-publish, I've once again revised my query letter and will be sending it out to more agents. The letter follows below. I hope it will get the attention of at least one agent who is willing to read the full manuscript.

Dear (Agent's name):

VOWS OF SECRECY is a character driven suspense novel that blends a high-stakes criminal investigation with the emotional intensity surrounding adoption searches and reunions. The novel is complete at 80,000 words and is a stand-alone with series potential.

A mass shooting at a Seattle hospital kills four people, including a client of Private Investigator Jake Fitzgerald. A former homicide detective, Jake specializes in genetic genealogy to search for his clients' biological roots and reunite them with their birth families when requested.

At first, the shooting appears to be a random act of violence and the investigation stalls. Eventually, an adoption agency with questionable practices is discovered that not only has links to the shooting, but the adoption stories of three more of Jake's clients.

Homicide Detective Katie Hartwell is assigned to the task force investigating the shooting but the closer she gets to the truth, the more she risks losing the case--and her own identity.

In the end, the culprits behind a complex network of buried secrets, forged records, adoption fraud, and murder are exposed and arrested.

Author Bio: I'm the author of six published mystery/suspense novels listed on my website/blog: valeriewilcoxwrites.com. I'm also the mother of three adopted daughters. I've experienced the joys of adoption as well as first-hand knowledge of the issues that can arise when searching for one's birth family. It is the foundation upon which I wrote VOWS OF SECRECY. The deep human need to know one's origins forms the basis of my belief that everyone has a right to know who they are and where they came from. Combining this view with a criminal investigation linked to adoption issues should spark compelling book club discussions and appeal to readers of Tana French and Kate Atkinson.

I look forward to hearing from you and would be pleased to send a synopsis and sample chapters for your review.

Sincerely,

(Name and contact info)

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