My Fourth Attempt at The Romantic Query Letter

Another Example of a Romance Query Letter

Tuesday, July 8, 2008
This letter was written for agents I found on a list at Romance Writers of America.
15 Agents queried, 9 form letter rejections, 2 request for partials, 4 none reply.

Dearest,

Ellesmere is a 100,000 words romance novel set in late Regency England that tells with heart and humour the story of James Latimer, future Duke of Ellesmere, and Esmé Bessborough a practical girl of means. The two collided in the spring of 1816 in the garden at the Countess of Irvine’s midnight ball when she, en route to meet with her fiancé in the rose arbour, tripped and fell into James. The two shared one passionate kiss that forever changed both their lives.

In the ensuing years, Esmé, jilted on her wedding day, settles in Bath, a near spinster, miserably in love with James who was by then engaged to her dearest friend the beautiful Lady Joanna Montgomery. That is until Esmé received a letter that presented her with the possibility of a second chance with James. The letter was followed shortly by the writer, Joanna, and her new husband Thomas Bessborough, Esmé’s irresponsible brother.

Joanna and Thomas had fallen in love and eloped when James, now the Duke of Ellesmere, frustrated at being engaged for fours years demands that a date be set. Married, but beholden to James due to the fortune he settled on her family, Joanna begged Esmé to marry James in her stead in order to save them all from ruin. Initially reluctant because of their shared past, Esmé journeys to London with the newlyweds where she is quickly pressured to go alone for the good of the family.

Esmé now forced, to marry the man of her life without having declared her love for him worries that this rush to the altar will rob then of an authentic beginning. Married but for the most part strangers, James and Esmé’s future happiness hangs on their clear attraction. Until things left unsaid are brought to the forefront due to the hurtful claims of his ex-mistress.

In the midst of all this, James’ beloved cousin Simon is kidnapped by a misguided murderess, working to secure the future of her two young daughters. As James rushes to rescue his cousin he rediscovers old friends, forms new alliances, all while he falls more deeply into love with his fiercely supportive wife.The manuscript is complete and available upon request. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Simone Ogilvie

I think now of how difficult it had been to wait for the two who requested partials to get back to me. How I'd paced the floor and checked my email obsessively only to have they reject it like all before. It broke my heart but not my will so I kept on. I hope these sample query romantic query letters not only show you how determinded I am to succeed but also offers you encouragement. Doing the work makes you fantastic. Being patient enough to waiting for an agent to see how great you manuscript is makes you remarkable. Whilst actively seeking new ways to get your work seen makes you divine.

To you, Fantastic, Remarkable, Divine you.

You have my admiration,

Simone