Here is the Query Letter that won first place in the Central Coast Writers Conference Lillian Dean First Page Competition. The judge said that it was “perfect.”

To: Marsal Lyon Literary Agency
Dear Ms. Marsal,

Proof of Identity, 125,000 words, is paranormal suspense with romantic undertones. It would appeal to readers who enjoy your authors Katie Reus and Heather McCollum.

Danae Holloway is arrested for the stabbing murder of a man she’s neither heard of nor met. But the police have eyewitnesses who saw her leave the scene, and her fingerprints are on the murder weapon. Legal aid attorney, Collin Montgomery, gets her released on bail and another murder occurs. Again her fingerprints are fround at the scene and she has no alibi. Collin, believing Danae innocent, desperately searches for answers to exonerate her. But will the truth he uncovers only cement her guilt? Is the court-appointed psychiatrist working to help Danae, or does he have his own agenda? Most importantly, what happens when the facts and the truth don’t agree? Just what constitutes proof of identity in a digital age?

My publication credits include the suspense novel, Tangled Webs, and the 13-volume workbook series, Write It Right: Exercises to Unlock the Writer in Everyone. My work has received numerous awards and has been published in literary journals, both print and online, and local papers. I serve on the Board of Directors of a regional writing organization, and teach classes on fiction writing. You can find me on Facebook, Linked-In and Twitter, and read my popular writing blog at: www.MyNameWrites.com.

I look forward to speaking with you in the near future. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
My Name