S2 Ep5 Querying Clinic Part 1: The Basics

You asked for a whole episode dedicated to querying--and you got it! This week, Eva and Katryn start a two-part series on querying and rejection. In part one, they discuss how to craft a query letter, picking the right agent, tactics of sending queries in batches, and much more! Stay tuned to the end to hear the query letters that landed them their agents!
NOTE TO NEW LISTENERS: This episode is slightly different than our usual format. If this is your first time, we recommend starting with an earlier episode (like last week’s) to get an idea of our usual style.
Sources

Agent Barbara Poelle discusses “The Hook, The Book, & The Cook”

Manuscript Wish List Database

#DVPit: an amazing pitch contest for marginalized creators that got both Eva and Katryn the interest that led to an agent.

This blog by agent John Cusick shows a great equation for a perfect short and sweet query.

Jane Friedman’s amazing blog on how to write a query letter

Query Shark has a huge amount of examples, with notes from an agent to help you see what works.

Use Query Tracker to see if an agent is currently open, or check author comments to get an idea of their usual response time.

If an agent asks you for THE CALL, check out Jim McCarthy’s amazing advice on what to ask.

Facebook is meh, but Kidlit 411 is a great group where aspiring authors can share queries and get feedback.

Writing queries is HARD! Katryn used editorial services to help her with some of her queries. She recommends Julia Weber and Katherine Locke.

Buy Katryn’s debut, Drew Leclair Gets a Clue and add Eva’s upcoming novel, I Wish You Would, on Goodreads!


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*Tune in next time for another episode powered by broken hearts, belly laughs (and bourbon). Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen