New York literary agent Miriam Altshuler looks for specific elements in a query letter. For starters, the query should not be longer than three paragraphs. In this delightful interview with Miriam on the wonder of books, she also offers some practical advice for first-time authors. If you're writing a memoir, for example, you need to complete the entire book before you pitch it to an agent. Publishing is a business, she says, and it's critical that you understand how to pitch your book - and pitch yourself.