Screenwriting : 50 Reasons Your Query Letter Sucks by Danny Manus by Danny Manus

Thanks for this Danny. It scares me to think that anyone would do any of these. But what I took from this is that some companies still do invest in going through their query letters and - as you say - it is a cheap way of reaching out. Bottom line: there are a lot of sample query letters out there that work. Hit them with a logline, a hook and a short bit selling yourself as a writer. Beyond that, no one is going to read and no one cares.

Thanks, Danny. If I ever find myself in a position of sending out a query letter again, this is very useful. And if not, it's freaking hilarious. "You’re a screenwriter – I already assume you have mental issues." - Danny Manus

thanks guys! I'm not sure snail mail queries are the best way or that they work much, but every once in a long while they can.

It's like shooting fish with a pea shooter in a barrel the size of Texas.

Thanks Danny, the article suggests writing letter but use email as the response mechansim... what's your thinking on starting with an email query (assuming you can find an email address), and are there any differences between the two formats you'd recommend?

LOL: 5. "You sent a handwritten serial killer-style manifesto. It’s called a computer. Use it. And stop torturing animals in your shack." Priceless! Plus #17 wOw

Danny, I wish every critic was as honest as you. It would force more people to take action on becoming a better person/writer...or, it would help dilute this epidemic of Political Correctness. Both are necessary to become more human-like as a person. (Let alone, a better creator of characters).

Anthony, I think email queries are a better form of querying overall. I'd definitely start there if possible. imdbpro can be helpful with that. just have a great subject heading. and all the other rules still pertain for the most part.

Thanks Danny, appreciated... and what sort of thing would grab your attention as a heading, or what have you seen that got you to read it?

Now for the Happy Writers written pitches they've encouraged us to make them longer than a query letter. Joey asks that we write a page and a half. But in this case the reader has invited us to pitch.

Danny's 50-point list is a terrific review of this subject. Much more helpful than Paul Simon's 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.

Oh god what a laugh. I can't believe what some people think is appropriate. It just goes to show, if it weren't for all the nut jobs we'd all have a better chance at getting through. I thought most on that list would have been blindingly obvious. Thanks for posting.

Anthony, in terms of a subject heading, always use a referral name if you have one. If not, either just write the title (and you better have a great one that makes someone intrigued) or something that will make it stand out like "2014 Nicholl Semifinalist Thriller". The one word you don't want to use in a subject heading is QUERY.

I write title and genre in subject heading.

If common sense was common, everyone would have it!

Great article, Danny! Thank you

As usual Danny, you show how to do it right. I always enjoy your very forthright and aggressive articles. That's how your turn bumpkins (like myself) into real contenders (I'm still aspiring, but I aspire like a mofo now)! Mollycoddling gets you nowhere. You are a true friend of the writer.

"Dear Agent… if you send me a pic of you, I'll send you a pic of me!" … lol! That's funny…

I've found waiting outside an agent or producers house with binoculars, my script, and a wad of cash always works!!

LOL David :) No beer or snacks in addition to make the business deal round?

Money talks, bullshit walks!

Dear David… At first I tought you were joking, but your follow-up post is so… passionate. I have to ask: Have you really done that sh..? If so, what were your results? … If you had footage, I'd stop everything and watch that short right now!

As a former financial services professional I have had many business meetings over the years. Just my sense of humor. But if you grease someones palm with enough greenbacks things may turn in your favor, if it's legal(joking). If I had footage from it I'd be making residuals from it off YouTube.

I've definitely had writers offer me money at pitchfest tables to read their script. I did not accept.

See, it does happen. Good move, Danny! Can't put a price on integrity.

For $400 I'll buy one of those Maps To The Stars Homes and throw your script over any star's fence, where their gardener will read it and do coverage and then maybe pass it on to the star...

OKay, William wins the internet today. Best comment. Lol

@William That's a cool idea. Best to do it with a helicopter and spread screenplays like flyers. Be careful with all the swimming pools they have. LOL - Just imagine a director sitting on his terrace at his breakfast and a screenplay falls down from heaven on his table. Or the unlucky fellow producer who gets up, opens his windows and discovers his garden in completely covered by screenplays and a spell lies on them so he can only leave the house after he has read all of them.... Great stuff, William, thanks for the inspiration :))

(Reading another one of his Blue Books on my Kindle app) William always wins the Internet!

Thanks, Danny. At least I've avoided numbers one through 49. I just have to work on number 50!

It sucks because your story line sucked?

Good thing I read Danny Manus before hitting send.