The Query Letter that Landed a 2-book Deal

READ THE QUERY LETTER THAT GOT MY NOVEL AN INTERNATION-AL BOOK DEAL

My debut novel, The Harper Effect, is in-stores today in Australia and New Zealand. If you don't feel like going out to do more shopping after the Christmas craziness, but you fancy curling up with a summer read, then you can also order it online right now. If you’re in the US/UK then I’m afraid you’ll have to wait until May 2018, or shelve the book on Goodreads for giveaway reminders.

I’ve been asked so many times about what makes up a good query letter – one that got me this two-book deal…so I thought I’d share it here. 225 words…if you’re counting.

Million Dollar Baby meets Wimbledon; THE HARPER EFFECT is a YA contemporary novel complete at 88,000 words.

Harper can’t have happiness and the US Open.

Sixteen-year-old Harper was once a rising star on the tennis court until her coach dropped her, leaving her feeling abandoned by the sport she loved. Even worse, she now finds comfort in the arms of her sister's ex-boyfriend—a secret that could start a family war.

But when Harper is offered a chance to get back in the game by training with young tennis phenom, seventeen-year-old Colt, she throws herself back onto the court . . . and into his family’s scary world of steroids and alcoholism.

As she walks a fine line between Colt’s secrets, her forbidden love, and a game that demands nothing but the best, Harper must choose between her past and her future, two boys who tempt her heart, and whether the cost of winning will actually cost her everything.

THE HARPER EFFECT should appeal to readers of Stephanie Perkins, Cath Crowley, and Heather Demetrios.

A member of SCBWI and RWA, I am the winner of Scribe Publishing’s Introduction Program and The Eleanor Dark Foundation’s two week residency, and have been awarded the Art’s Council Funding for Promising New Writer. My interest in the world of tennis stems from my brother’s involvement as a professional coach.

And yes, I think I re-wrote that one over a hundred times. Want to read more of Harper’s story? You can buy or download The Harper Effect by clicking the link below. Or head into any good bookshop.

Happy Reading :)