 Sometimes, agents will ask for both a query letter and a plot summary as part of your submission package. The two serve different purposes and yes, an agent who asks for both really wants to see both. A query letter is more like the jacket copy you see on books in bookstores and libraries. They're meant to entice someone, in this case the agent, into opening the book and reading more. A summary is basically a list of events that happen during the book. The biggest difference between a summary and a query letter is: you should not spoil the ending of your book in a query letter, but you should in a summary. A summary should outline the entire main plot of your book from start to finish, and include the B plot if you have the space. An agent wants to be spoiled in a summary and know the major turning points and how the book ends. Another big difference between a query and a summary is the length. Ideally, your query should be 250-275 words, including your author bio, and a summary should be 500-600 words. You'll need that space in the summary to describe the entire plot. Keep the language of a summary simple and straightforward. While the query letter can be a great place to show your personal writing style, that's not a big concern when writing a summary. Don't worry if you feel like your summary sounds boring and factual! Agents expect that, and they won't judge your writing style by your summary. Think of it this way: Every sentence in a summary should answer the question "What happens next?" Keep answering this question as you write your summary until you've described every major event of the plot. Avoid as many adjectives and adverbs as possible, and you should have enough space to get the job done. Attend a Writers Conference in 2026:
 This post was composed by Carlie Webber, a certified professional editor and former literary agent currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration at Pepperdine University. Her favorite genres to read and edit include MG, YA, mystery, thriller, suspense, horror, and contemporary fiction. Carlie is part of the social media staff at Writing Day Workshops.
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