WELCOME
TO
THE TABASCO LITERARY AGENCY 
OUR PHILOSOPHY:
My name is Chuck Hughes, founder. I taught English for over 25 years. Finally I have retired. Over the years countless numbers of former students sought advice from me on getting their book published. It is that expression of delight when one of my former students gets his or her work published that made me open this small, but dedicated agency.
All out work is done via computer. Unlike most agencies we accept attachments.
Publishing a book takes time. Publishers usually respond to your query letter with in two to three weeks. If they are interested and request more information they may take a month to respond. If they request the manuscript, which is out goal, they may take two to three months to make their decision as to representation.
I will guide you through the process step by step. My goal is to get you published. If you don't make money I don't make money.
Remember this: You should never have to pay a large fee to get published.
Now let's get down to business:
I need three things to begin:
1. Your query letter (a sample is provided below)
2. A one page synopsis of your manuscript including the ending.
3. A brief Bio - please state why you think you are qualified to have written this book.
E-mail the above to:
Below is a sample query letter. They should be no longer than one page:
I would like to introduce you to Beyond Tobacco Road, a novel of the Deep South that chronicles the Andersons of Montgomery, Alabama from 1970 until the late1990s. The Andersons are an old southern family with ties to aristocracy, debutante balls, bachelor clubs, and a gallant, if defeated, past.
Although much has changed in the South since the Civil War, one's place in society is still measured not by wealth, (although money usually lurks in the background), but by breeding and family name. Appearances are everything. The term gentleman is at the top of the Southern vocabulary, but polite society isn't so polite when the sun goes down and the doors are closed.
Beyond Tobacco Road explores a family controlled by matriarch Leona Anderson, a widow with two grown children, Chuck, and Beth. The Anderson's closets hide so many skeletons it's amazing the family can sleep at night.
In 1970, a college girl is murdered during rough sex with Chuck's college roommate, Preston Norwood. Preston is a celebrated quarterback for the college football team - a southern gentleman who can do no wrong. He convinces Chuck to help him bury the girl's body.
At the age of sixteen, Chuck had an affair with a black girl. Leona handled the immediate problem, but not the child who resulted from Chuck's teenage fling. Only a few members of the black community and Leona know about this child, now a lovely young woman named Paris Lane. Paris' mother died in an automobile accident and Paris doesn't know her true heritage. Her existence causes the Andersons no problems until fate brings her back to Montgomery.
In desperate need of a bone marrow transplant, Chuck almost dies because there are no matches in his family. The only match is Paris. Leona is aware of this, but chooses not to reveal it.
Beth Anderson marries Ron Williams and they have one daughter, Tammy. Beth has an affair with Tammy's boyfriend and finds herself in the family way. Leona finds out, accidentally kills the young man, and Beth has an abortion.
Twenty years after Chuck helps Preston bury the college girl, a construction crew discovers her remains. Now a highly respected attorney, Preston tries to pin the murder on Chuck while pretending to help him. The trial and its outcome are the climax of the book.
Like most Southern novels, Beyond Tobacco Road captures the sprit of the region. This character-driven book is written in a direct style with no frills, although the plot is of utmost importance. Beyond Tobacco Road is fiction, intended to attract primarily a female market between the ages of 18 and up.
As a young writer from the South, I am looking for an agent with your expertise and experience, which is impressive. It would be an honor to work with you on this 75,000-word novel. May I send you the completed manuscript?
The manuscript is complete, and is professionally edited. "Don't view this as a 300+ English paper, but as good literary entertainment." My life's experiences are my background.
Sincerely,