The query letter for a series is a beast unlike any other. It’s not just pitching one book; it’s pitching a world, a narrative arc spanning multiple volumes, and a commitment that agents and publishers need to understand from the outset. This isn’t about vague promises of future installments; it’s about demonstrating a viable, compelling, and sellable long-form story. Mastering this specific art form can be the difference between your series languishing in a forgotten folder and embarking on a journey to the bookshelf.
This definitive guide will dissect every component of a series query, offering actionable strategies and concrete examples to help you craft a letter that champions your entire narrative vision, not just its initial spark.
The Unique Challenge of the Series Query
Before diving into the mechanics, understand the core challenge. A standalone query focuses on a single product. A series query, however, must:
- Hook with Book One: Like any query, the opening must grab attention for the first installment.
- Hint at the Saga: Subtly, yet clearly, communicate the scope and potential of the overarching narrative.
- Demonstrate Viability: Assure the agent you’ve thought through the long game and aren’t just winging it.
- Show Commitment: Prove you are capable of delivering multiple high-quality manuscripts.
This isn’t about overwhelming an agent with every plot point of every book. It’s about building curiosity and confidence in your long-term storytelling prowess.
The Anatomy of a Winning Series Query
A series query typically follows a familiar structure, but with crucial modifications to highlight the multi-book nature.
1. The Opening Hook: Beyond Book One
This is your immediate attention grabber. It must be compelling enough to make the agent read on, but also subtly hint at the larger narrative potential.
What to Include:
- Your Genre and Word Count for Book One: Essential, standard querying practice.
- A Compelling Logline for Book One: This is paramount. It should encapsulate the core conflict, the protagonist, and the stakes of the first book only.
- The Series Indicator (Subtly Introduces the Scope): This is where you gently introduce the series aspect without being overly aggressive.
Actionable Advice:
- Front-load the exciting core of Book One. An agent needs to be interested in the immediate story before they care about future ones.
- Resist the urge to dump series lore here. This isn’t the place for your intricate magic system or 1000-year history.
- Keep the series indicator concise. Phrases like “set to be the first in a planned trilogy,” or “the initial volume of a projected four-book epic” work well. Avoid “my ongoing saga” or “my never-ending story.”
Example (Focus on Series Aspect):
“My completed 85,000-word adult epic fantasy, The Obsidian Shard, is the first in a planned trilogy that reimagines dragon warfare through the eyes of a disgraced general and a reluctant prophet. When the Sky-Eaters return after a millennium of peace, General Kael must forge an alliance with the outcast Dragon-Speaker, Lyra, to stop a war that threatens to unmake their fractured continents – even if it means awakening the very beasts that nearly destroyed them once before.”
Why it works: It clearly states “first in a planned trilogy,” sets the stage for Book One’s conflict, and hints at the larger world (“fractured continents,” “Sky-Eaters return after a millennium”).
2. The Micro-Synopsis of Book One: The Immediate Draw
This section is dedicated to selling Book One. It’s a tighter version of what you’d typically find in a standalone query.
What to Include:
- Protagonist’s Goal/Stakes: What does your main character want, and what happens if they don’t get it?
- Inciting Incident: What kicks off the story?
- Rising Action (Briefly): A hint at major conflicts or developments.
- The Mid-point Turn/Central Conflict: The core struggle.
- The Climax/Resolution of Book One (without spoilers): How does Book One end, leaving the reader satisfied but also anticipating more? This is the trickiest part. You need to show a contained arc while signaling continuity.
Actionable Advice:
- Focus on ARC, not PLOT. Don’t list every scene. Focus on the character’s journey and central conflict.
- End with a hook for Book One’s resolution, but also a lingering question for the series. For example, “But achieving victory for their homeland means uncovering a truth that shatters everything they believed, setting the stage for a conflict far greater than any single kingdom could withstand.”
- Keep it concise. No more than 150-200 words.
Example (Continuing from above):
“General Kael, haunted by his past failures at the Battle of the Crimson Waste, is exiled to the distant Ice Peaks, stripped of his command. But when monstrous Sky-Eaters descend, razing cities and consuming lives, his tactical genius becomes the realm’s only hope. He’s forced to seek out Lyra, a reclusive Dragon-Speaker whose forbidden magic could awaken their ancient, destructive allies—or trigger a reckoning that annihilates them all. As Kael and Lyra navigate treacherous political landscapes and rediscover long-lost pacts, they uncover a conspiracy that reaches beyond the Sky-Eaters, hinting at an even older, more insidious threat poised to reclaim the world. Their desperate alliance culminates in a devastating aerial showdown at the Obsidian Shard, where a Pyrrhic victory reveals the true scale of the encroaching darkness, forcing them to confront not just an external enemy, but the very foundations of their history.”
Why it works: It outlines Kael’s journey, introduces Lyra, shows escalating stakes, hints at a larger conspiracy discovered within Book One, and sets up a future conflict without revealing specific plot points for books two and three.
3. The Series Arc: The Grand Vision
This is the section unique to series queries. It’s where you sell the agent on the multi-book journey.
What to Include:
- The Overarching Conflict/Theme: What is the central, driving force that will fuel multiple books?
- Character Arcs Across the Series: How do your main characters evolve over the course of the entire series?
- World-level Stakes/Evolution: How does the world change or unravel through the series?
- Brief (1-2 sentence) teasers for future books (Optional but recommended): Extremely high-level, no plot specifics.
Actionable Advice:
- Focus on potential and progression. Show the scalability of your ideas.
- Avoid detailed plot outlines for future books. An agent doesn’t need to know the villain of Book 2 or the specific twist in Book 3. They need to know the trajectory.
- Emphasize thematic depth or epic scope. Show that this story needs multiple books.
- Use words that evoke scale: “epic,” “saga,” “sprawling,” “consequences,” “unravel,” “destiny.”
Example (Continuing from above):
“Across the trilogy, The Obsidian Shard will explore the destructive nature of inherited prejudice and the desperate choices required to save a fractured world. Kael’s redemptive journey will see him confront not only his past failures but the moral ambiguities of leadership in a collapsing society, while Lyra battles to control a power that could either save or destroy them all. Future installments will escalate the conflict from a continental war to an interdimensional struggle for survival, delving deeper into the origins of the Sky-Eaters and the true history of the dragon-human bond, ultimately forcing unlikely alliances to repel a cosmic threat that redefines their very existence.”
Why it works: It outlines thematic depth, character progression (Kael’s redemption, Lyra’s power), and world-level escalation (“continental war to interdimensional struggle”). It provides enough tantalizing detail to show the series has legs without giving away specific plots.
4. The World-Building Promise (Concise & Evocative)
For fantasy and sci-fi series, a very brief touch on your world is crucial. This is not info-dumping. It’s about demonstrating thoughtful world-creation that supports a long narrative.
What to Include:
- One or two unique elements: What makes your world stand out?
- How it impacts the story: Show, don’t tell, its relevance.
Actionable Advice:
- Keep it under 30 words.
- **Focus on the essence.*
- Think about memorable imagery or concepts.
Example:
“Drawing on my background in archaeology, the series features complex societies shaped by geological cataclysms and the echoes of ancient civilizations, providing a rich tapestry for enduring conflict and discovery.”
Why it works: It connects to the author’s background (a plus), highlights specific world-building elements (“geological cataclysms,” “ancient civilizations”), and links them to the narrative (“enduring conflict and discovery”).
5. The “Why You? Why Now?” (Comparables)
This is a standard query element, but particularly important for series. It shows you understand the market and your place within it.
What to Include:
- 2-3 recent (last 3-5 years) comparable titles (comps): These should be successful books in your genre that share thematic, tonal, or plot similarities, but are not direct competitors.
- A brief explanation of why they are comps: What do you share, and what makes your series different?
- Target Audience: Who is this series for?
Actionable Advice:
- Avoid mega-bestsellers like Game of Thrones or Harry Potter unless your series genuinely, demonstrably stands alongside them (and even then, use caution). Choose books that an agent can sell to a publisher now.
- Don’t say your book is a “cross between X and Y” unless it truly is. Instead, use phrases like “Readers who enjoyed X will appreciate Y in my series” or “It has the political intrigue of X combined with the character depth of Y.”
- For series, consider citing a single-book comp for plot, and a series comp for scope/tone, if appropriate. This demonstrates breadth.
Example:
“The Obsidian Shard will appeal to readers who enjoyed the intricate world-building of Robert Jackson Bennett’s Founders Trilogy and the moral complexities of Tasha Suri’s The Jasmine Throne. With its focus on flawed heroes and the reimagining of legendary creatures, it offers a fresh take on classic epic fantasy.”
Why it works: It gives two specific, recent comps, explains why they are comps (world-building, moral complexities), and articulates the unique appeal (“flawed heroes,” “reimagining of legendary creatures”).
6. The Author Bio: Your Professional Persona
Standard query practice, but reiterate your commitment to the series if applicable.
What to Include:
- Relevant writing credentials: MFA, publishing credits (if any), awards, workshops.
- Non-writing experiences that relate to the story: (e.g., “An environmental scientist specializing in ancient ecosystems, my research informed the catastrophic magic of the series.”)
- Your passion for the series (briefly): Showing your dedication to seeing this through multiple books.
- Your full name and contact information.
Actionable Advice:
- Keep it brief and professional.
- Highlight anything that makes you uniquely qualified to write this series.
- Avoid excessive personal details.
- Express genuine excitement for the multi-book journey.
Example:
“As an archaeologist with a specialization in ancient military tactics, I’ve dedicated five years to crafting the world and escalating narrative of The Obsidian Shard trilogy. My short fiction has appeared in Mythic Tales Quarterly, and I am an alum of the Clarion West Writers Workshop. I am confident in my ability to deliver the remaining two installments of the series at publication quality.”
Why it works: It highlights relevant experience, includes a writing credential, and directly assures the agent of the author’s capability and commitment to completing the series.
7. The Closing: Professional and Direct
Reinforce your request and thank them.
What to Include:
- A polite request to consider your manuscript.
- Offer to send the full manuscript (and possibly a series outline, if requested).
- A polite thank you.
Actionable Advice:
- Keep it brief and formal.
- Don’t make demands or be overly familiar.
- Be clear about what you’re offering (e.g., “Full Manuscript of Book One,” “Comprehensive Series Outline”). Do not send a series outline unless specifically requested.
Example:
“Thank you for your time and consideration. I have attached the first ten pages of The Obsidian Shard for your review. The full manuscript is available upon request, as is a comprehensive series outline.”
Why it works: It’s polite, clear, and professional, indicating you have additional materials ready without overwhelming the agent upfront.
Formatting and General Best Practices for Series Queries
Even the most brilliant query can be undermined by poor presentation.
- Standard Query Letter Format:
- One-inch margins.
- Times New Roman or Arial, 12pt font.
- Single-spaced paragraphs, double-spaced between paragraphs.
- Left-aligned.
- Address the agent by name (double-check spelling!).
- Your contact information at the top or bottom.
- Keep it to one page, ideally. For series queries, a very dense page and a half is sometimes acceptable if the additional content for the series arc is concise and compelling. Never exceed two pages.
- Proofread Relentlessly: Read it aloud. Use grammar checkers. Ask trusted critique partners to review it. A single typo can signal a lack of professionalism.
- Research Specific Agents Thoroughly:
- Do they represent your genre? Crucial for series. Some agents specialize in standalone or shorter series.
- Do they represent series? Many do, but it’s worth checking their MSWL (Manuscript Wish List) or agency website.
- Are they open to submissions?
- Follow their submission guidelines precisely. This includes whether they want attachments, a paste-in, number of pages, etc. For a series query, they often only want the first 5-10 pages of Book One. Do not send multiple book pages unless specifically requested.
- Resist the Urge to Over-Explain: This is a sales letter, not a dissertation. Intrigue, don’t inundate.
- Don’t Be Desperate: Maintain a professional and confident tone.
- The Query is About THE HOOK: It’s not about exhaustive plot. It’s about making them want to read the book, and then want to represent the series.
- Series Outline Preparedness: While you don’t send it upfront, have a robust series outline ready. This should detail the major plot beats, character arcs, and world progression for all books in the series. Some agents will ask for this if they’re interested. This outline proves you have a plan.
The Series Outline: Your Hidden Weapon (Don’t Send Unless Asked!)
While not part of the query itself, the existence of a solid series outline significantly enhances your professionalism and preparedness. It’s what you send when an agent says, “This sounds great, can you tell me more about the rest of the series?”
What a Series Outline Should Contain:
- High-Level Overview of Each Book: 1-2 paragraphs detailing the main plot and character arcs for each book.
- Overarching Series Arc/Themes: A more detailed explanation of what you hinted at in your query.
- Character Arcs Tracking: How do your main characters change across all books?
- World-Building Progression: How does the world evolve, expand, or face new challenges?
- Major Antagonists/Conflicts by Book: Who is the main adversary for each book, and how do they connect to the larger conflict?
- Tentative Word Counts for Future Books: Shows you’ve thought about scope.
- Potential Series Titles: Even if temporary, shows foresight.
Why it’s crucial to have ready: It demonstrates that you’re not just pitching an idea, but a fully thought-out narrative journey. It proves you have the long-term vision and commitment required for a multi-book deal.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid in Series Queries
- Pacing Problems: Don’t spend too much time on Book One if it detracts from the series vision, but don’t neglect Book One for the sake of the series either. Find the balance.
- Vagueness: Being too vague about the series arc or future books makes it seem like you haven’t planned it out.
- Over-Promising: Don’t promise an infinite series or a vague “I’ll keep writing as long as it sells!” Agents want a defined arc.
- Info-Dumping Future Books: Only hint. Specific plots for future books alienate rather than intrigue.
- Boasting/Hyperbole: “This will be the next Hunger Games!” Let the story speak for itself.
- Lack of Readership Knowledge: Not knowing your comps demonstrates you haven’t researched the market for your genre.
- Poorly Edited: Typos, grammatical errors, and awkward phrasing are immediate turn-offs.
Conclusion: The Series Query as a Strategic Map
Crafting a query for a series is akin to drawing a strategic map. You need to show the agent the captivating terrain of your immediate destination (Book One), while simultaneously illustrating the grand, compelling journey that lies beyond – the epic narrative arc that will sustain multiple volumes.
It requires precision, a deep understanding of your own story from beginning to end, and a mastery of concise, evocative language. Every word must serve a dual purpose: to hook for the present and to promise an irresistible future. When executed flawlessly, your series query won’t just open the door to representation; it will lay the foundation for a truly expansive and successful authorial career.