[Grace Coffey Posts: 2 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Hi!
I have a question about the format of a query letter.
I understand the "hook, book and cook" guidelines.  I have also seen people say it is important to say why you picked that agent to query.  Where does the "flattery" part come in, if at all?  Should WHY I chose to address this agent in particular come first or my hook?
Thank you! 

[Debbie Vilardi Posts: 7,001 Status: Offline Language is so cool! WWW]

If I have a really strong why, I start with it. Then I add the book info as it's usually related. The hook follows.

If the why is less strong. (You take YA fantasy.) I may start with the hook, but not always.

Sometimes I'll see a preference in an interview. I always follow that if I find it somewhere.

[RebeccaL-G Posts: 1,496 Status: Online RA SCBWI Cen-Cal WWW]

Like Debbie said, if I had a connection with the agent through a conference or meeting, I led with that, otherwise I put it at the end. 

[Grace Coffey Posts: 2 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Thank you both for the feedback. That makes total sense!