10 Query Letter Mistakes That Will Get You Rejected (and How to Avoid Them)

Finishing a book is a monumental achievement, but the journey doesn’t end there. In fact, some of the steepest challenges still lie ahead, such as finding a literary agent, securing a publisher, building an audience, marketing your book, giving interviews, and cultivating a social media presence. Each of these steps plays a crucial role in turning a manuscript into a successful published work.

If you’ve completed your novel, business guide, or nonfiction book and it’s just sitting on your hard drive, ready for readers, the next step is learning how to write an effective query letter—the key to getting your work noticed.

A query letter is your first impression when reaching out to literary agents, publishers, publicists, and marketers. It’s often the first and only chance you have to grab their attention. With publishing professionals constantly juggling meetings, reviewing contracts, and working through existing book projects, they have limited time to sort through the flood of query letters in their inboxes.

This is why your query letter matters.

A well-crafted query can open doors, while a weak or poorly structured one can lead to instant rejection. Even with a fantastic book concept and a compelling manuscript, getting someone to read it is the hardest part.

Having worked in publishing as a book editor, a publisher, and now a literary agent, I’ve reviewed thousands of queries—some great, many forgettable, and a few downright disastrous. Through this experience, I’ve identified ten major mistakes that prevent query letters from standing out.

Each week, I dedicate time to reading queries at For The Writers, and I’ve seen every kind of submission, from exceptional to cringe-worthy. My goal with this post is to demystify the query process by outlining common pitfalls that can derail an otherwise promising pitch.

Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, and a bold, unconventional query might break one of these guidelines and still succeed. But for most writers, avoiding these missteps will increase their chances of getting their book noticed.

Now, let’s dive into what NOT to do in a query letter.

Predicting the Future of Your Author-Agent Relationship

One of the biggest mistakes authors make is presuming too much about the future. Lines like, "We will have many years of successful partnership publishing my books," or "You are the perfect agent for me, and when this becomes a blockbuster movie, we’ll both be rich," are red flags.

While enthusiasm is great, making assumptions about long-term success or implying that the recipient has already committed to your book comes off as naïve. Agents and publishers look for professionalism, and overconfidence in a query letter can be a turnoff. Keep the focus on your book and why it’s a strong fit for their list, rather than making bold predictions about the future.

Using Crazy Fonts, Colors, or Over-the-Top Packaging

Query letters should be clear, professional, and easy to read. Using quirky fonts, unusual colors, or unconventional formatting doesn’t make your submission stand out in a good way. Simply put, it makes it look unprofessional. Stick to a standard font like Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri, and let your words do the work.

Similarly, if you’re submitting a hard copy, avoid excessive or gimmicky packaging. I once received a manuscript in a box so heavily duct-taped that I couldn’t see the actual cardboard. The address was handwritten in Sharpie, and the manuscript inside appeared worn, having been resubmitted multiple times. Presentation matters. Authors must submit their work neatly and professionally.

By keeping your query concise, professional, and well-structured, you greatly improve your chances of catching an agent or publisher’s attention. In the next section, I’ll break down more common mistakes to avoid, so you can craft a query letter that stands out for the right reasons.

Leaving Out Biographical Information

While your book is the focus of your query letter, who you are as an author matters too. Particularly in nonfiction, credentials can make or break an offer, but even novelists should include a brief author bio. A couple of sentences about your background, relevant experience, and writing history are all that’s needed.

Avoid self-deprecating remarks like, "I have no writing experience, but I wrote this novel anyway." Agents and editors appreciate confidence, not disclaimers. Even if this is your first book, present yourself professionally.

Making Over-the-Top Claims

Confidence is important, but bold, unrealistic predictions about your book's success won’t impress agents or editors. Lines like "My novel will be the next The Lord of the Rings" or "This book is a guaranteed New York Times bestseller" come across as naïve, not persuasive.

The truth is, becoming a bestseller is incredibly difficult, even for established authors. Instead of making exaggerated claims, let your writing and concept speak for themselves.

Pitching an Entire Series Right Away

A common red flag in queries is an author pitching an entire multi-book series before securing interest in the first book. Statements like, "Books 1-4 of my epic saga are complete, and I’m working on Book 5 now!" can overwhelm an agent.

At the query stage, only Book 1 matters. No one will care about the sequels if it's not compelling enough. Instead of focusing on the future, ensure the first book is polished to perfection before mentioning a series.

Similarly, be mindful of word count. If you pitch a 500,000-word book, ask yourself: Is every word essential? Agents and editors are more likely to take an interest in a well-edited, tightly written manuscript than one that seems excessive from the outset.

Focusing on the Wrong Details

Your query should be about your book’s concept, not the writing process or personal anecdotes about how you came up with the idea. Avoid long-winded explanations like:

• "I wrote this book during my travels across Europe..."

  
  

• "The characters' names are based on my childhood pets..."

Instead, get straight to the point. Clearly explain what your book is about in as few words as possible. A concise, engaging pitch will always be more effective than an overly detailed backstory.

Misrepresenting Your Publishing History

If you mention previous publications, be clear about whether they were traditionally published or self-published. Statements like, "I’ve published two books," can be misleading if those books were self-published on Amazon or another platform.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with self-publishing; many successful authors start this way, but transparency matters. If an agent assumes you have a traditional publishing background and later finds out otherwise, it may feel like an intentional omission.

Writing a Query That’s Too Short or Too Long

Balance is key. Too short, and you may not provide enough information to generate interest. Too long, and you risk losing the agent’s attention.

A strong query letter is typically 2-4 paragraphs, keeping the focus on:

• Your book’s concept

  
  

• Why it’s a good fit for the agent or publisher

  
  

• A brief author bio

Over-explaining or under-explaining can both work against you.

Grammatical Errors and Poor Writing

If your query is riddled with typos and awkward phrasing, agents won’t trust that your manuscript is any better. Even at For The Writers, every query is read, but if an agent stumbles over errors in the first few sentences, they may not bother finishing.

Take time to proofread. A clear, well-structured query signals that you can write professionally, which is exactly what agents and publishers need to see.

Addressing the Wrong Person or Pitching the Wrong Genre

One of the most avoidable mistakes is sending your query to the wrong agent or publisher. It’s understandable—writers send dozens of queries, and sometimes copy-paste errors slip in. However, if an agent sees the wrong name or an irrelevant genre, they’re likely to pass immediately.

For example, if an agent specializes in science fiction, don’t send them a self-help book. Research the agents you query to ensure they represent books like yours.

A Final Word

Simplicity, clarity, and professionalism are at the core of every successful query letter. Agents sift through countless submissions, and the ones that stand out are concise, compelling, and polished. A well-structured pitch that highlights a strong book concept and an author’s credibility will always be more effective than one weighed down by unnecessary details or avoidable mistakes.

Every query is an opportunity to capture an agent’s attention and encourage them to read more. By avoiding these common pitfalls and focusing on a clear, confident presentation, you increase your chances not only of getting noticed but also of receiving a request for your pages. Take the time to refine your pitch, conduct thorough research, and present your best self.

Your book deserves the right advocate. Make sure your query opens the door.