How to Write a Query Letter to Literary Agents with AI

A query letter is a short pitch that invites an agent to consider a manuscript. Its structure and requested materials vary: one agency may ask for a brief pitch and bio, while another requests a synopsis, sample pages, or specific form fields. Follow the agent’s current submission page, including any restrictions on AI assistance, rather than relying on a universal word count or template. A query commonly identifies the project, gives a concise story or concept pitch, supplies relevant manuscript details, and includes a brief author bio. For fiction, the pitch should convey protagonist, central conflict, stakes, and what makes the work distinct without substituting a full synopsis unless requested. For nonfiction, the query may need to explain the book’s audience, authority, and proposal materials. AI can point out unclear sentences or compare alternate hooks, but it may flatten the author’s voice, invent plot points, or create false agent-specific personalization. Use only comparable titles you have actually checked and that reflect the manuscript’s category; do not claim an agent represents a book unless you verify it. Ensure the pitch matches the manuscript rather than promising a different story. The query and manuscript are creative work; review the tool’s terms before uploading unpublished text. An agent’s own guidelines control formatting and attachments, and practices can differ even within one agency. AI can help revise language, but the author remains responsible for accuracy and the submission decision.