So. you’ve poured your heart and soul into writing a stellar screenplay—weeks (maybe even months) of brainstorming, drafting, revising, and polishing. But what happens when it’s time to share your masterpiece with the world?
Too often, talented writers undermine their hard work with one critical misstep: sending out unprofessional query letters.
As someone who once worked as a reader for an independent producer, I’ve reviewed hundreds of email submissions—and honestly, only about 10–15% were up to par. The most common mistake? Not following submission guidelines. That alone can get email deleted before anyone even reads your logline.
Why Your Query Letter Matters
Think of your query letter as the first impression of your project—and yourself. It’s not just a formality; it’s your foot in the door. If your query is poorly written or generic, it signals to industry professionals that you may not be serious about your craft.
Executives, agents, and producers receive dozens—if not hundreds—of queries every day. A weak or careless letter won’t make the cut. You need something polished, professional, and punchy. Something that makes them want to read more.
Structure of a Winning Query Letter
A strong query should be a single page—ideally one short email—that includes:
A compelling logline
A concise synopsis
Your relevant background
An invitation to read your script
Each section must serve a purpose. Every word counts.
1. The Subject Line – Your First Hook
Before they even open your email, the subject line has to grab attention. Make it snappy, specific, and clear.
Example:
“Check out this crime thriller where a detective uncovers a prostitution ring run by cops!”
This tells the reader the genre (crime thriller), introduces a hook (corrupt cops running a ring), and clearly states that it’s a script pitch.
Avoid vague lines like “Screenplay Submission” or “Opportunity for Your Company.” Those go straight to the trash.
2. The Logline – One Sentence to Sell It All
Your logline is a one-sentence summary of your story, written in the present tense. It should clearly state your protagonist’s goal, the central conflict, and what’s at stake.
For example:
“A disgraced detective risks everything to dismantle a powerful police-run prostitution ring.”
Include your protagonist’s profession, use strong adjectives, and avoid unnecessary phrases like “It’s the story of…” or “We follow…”
Don’t mention character names unless it’s a historical figure or real-life person. Keep it tight and impactful.
3. The Synopsis – One Paragraph to Hook Them In
This isn’t a summary—it’s a teaser. Use one short paragraph to highlight the core of your story, focusing on your protagonist’s journey and the stakes involved.
Make sure it reflects the tone and genre of your script. Avoid spoilers. Don’t repeat your logline verbatim. And definitely don’t give away the ending.
4. Your Background – Who Are You?
This is your chance to briefly showcase your credentials. Mention any relevant writing experience, contests your script has placed in, or personal connections to the material. Keep it short and professional.
If you’re new to the scene, focus on passion and dedication. Something like:
“I’m a screenwriter based in Los Angeles with a background in investigative journalism. This project was inspired by my years covering corruption in local law enforcement.”
5. The Closing – Invite, Don’t Beg
End with a polite, confident call to action. Let them know you’d love for them to consider your script, and include your contact information. If you’re expecting to change emails soon, let them know when.
Avoid desperate language like “Please take a chance on me” or “I promise it’s worth your time.” Trust your words to speak for themselves.
Query Letter Dos
✅ Be original – stand out from the crowd
✅ Be brief – keep it concise and professional
✅ Use short paragraphs – easy to scan
✅ Indicate your genre – let them know what they’re getting into
✅ Accurately represent your script and yourself
✅ Highlight how your story aligns with the recipient’s interests
✅ Proofread thoroughly – typos are dealbreakers
✅ Include your contact info – make it easy for them to reach you
Query Letter Don’ts
❌ Typos, grammar errors, or punctuation mistakes
❌ Handwritten letters – always type
❌ Repeating your logline in the synopsis
❌ Over-flattery or name-dropping excessively
❌ Selling yourself short or apologizing
❌ Begging or asking permission to send your script
❌ Including casting ideas or box office projections
❌ Trying too hard to be funny or clever
❌ Stating themes outright – show, don’t tell
❌ Claiming your script is “the next big thing”
❌ Discussing marketing strategies or budget estimates
Final Thoughts
A great query letter doesn’t guarantee success, but a bad one almost guarantees rejection. Treat it with the same care and creativity as your screenplay. After all, if you can’t sell your story in one page, how will they trust you to write a feature-length script?
Put yourself in the reader’s shoes. Make their job easy. Give them a reason to want to read more.
Because when done right, your query letter isn’t just a pitch—it’s your ticket to the next level.
If you feel you can’t write a professional kick-ass query letter The Script Network will write your query letter: $45.00 query letter & logline.
Before submitting your script, ensure it is polished and ready for industry professionals. Consider getting a professional coverage report to gain insight into the current standing of your screenplay.
