I'm going to send out in the next week or so queries to agents for Behind the Hood. It would be much appreciated if you could give me your comments on the query letter I wrote below (because I suck at this part).


Date.

Name of Agent and their address.

Dear Mr. XXXX:

I have recently completed a 95,000-word crime novel entitled Behind The Hood, and I hope you might consider me for your list.

Like Once Were Warriors, Behind the Hood follows the lives of people living in the slums of Auckland, New Zealand, where gangs, violence, drugs, and abuse are a part of life. Told from different viewpoints, this novel details the downfall of two families when a long standing feud between their sons comes to a head. After Tama Harris stabs Nike Daniel’s sister he goes on the run. In his need for revenge, Nike goes after him, but is unaware that his wife is Tama’s next target.

Behind the Hood is a realistic look at what happens when one crime snowballs into many, and is the first in a series of novels. The first three chapters were included into the Best Sellers Chart on the British writers’ website youwriteon.com after reaching the countdown’s Top 5. I am currently writing the sequel, Behind the Tears.

I spent the first thirty-eight years of my life in Auckland, two of which were in the neighbourhood that I’ve based this story around. I have included a one page synopsis and the first five pages of the book.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Marita Hansen

I probably will send it out after that, but I'm just getting things prepped to go. From the past I think the crits come out within the first couple of weeks of each month.

It does need spicing up. I'll play with it a bit more.

Thanks, Tom. Much appreciated.