Begin your query letter with a short introduction, stating that you have written a manuscript that would fit the Candy Apple Book series. Include the title of your book and the word count.
In the body of the query letter, write a blurb or short summary of your story. Make this blurb interesting and inviting. Think of back cover blurbs which entice the reader to purchase the book.
Write a short bio of yourself, stating what makes your book special and what qualifies you to write it. If you're a member of professional writers' organizations or clubs, mention them. If you have published other books in the past, list them.
Write a short conclusion, letting the editor know that you have completed your book and whether or not she would be interested in seeing sample chapters, a detailed synopsis or outline or the whole manuscript. Thank the editor for her time and consideration.
Edit and polish your query letter until it shines. Make sure it sounds professional and it is free of grammatical and spelling mistakes. Agents are too busy to waste their time with amateurish writers.
Get a copy of the latest edition of "Guide to Literary Agents," by Chuck Sambuchino. If you don't want to buy a copy, you can borrow one from your local library. This guide lists hundreds of literary agents and their field of expertise. Another good source is AgentQuery.com.
Make a list of agents who represent children's and middle-grade fiction. These are the agents who will want to consider your work. Some agents accept queries by email and others by snail mail only. Follow their guidelines closely to improve your chances of a response.
Visit the agencies' websites to make sure submission guidelines or names of agents haven't changed. The websites' URLs are clearly listed on the guide and AgentQuery.com.
Send your query by email to those agents who consider electronic submissions. Be sure to address them by their individual name and not by "Dear Editor." Phrases like this point to a lazy writer who hasn't done her homework. You can find the agents' names on the guide and on the agencies' websites. Keep this list for your records.
For those agents who only consider submissions via snail mail, print your query letter, sign it and put it in a business-size envelope to send by post. Keep a lit of these agents for your records.
After two or three months, it is acceptable to contact the agent to ask about the status of your query. Contact the agents by email or smail mail, but not by phone unless it is clearly specified under their submission guidelines.